What Drives - Prey or Defense ?

Introduction

We have heard of the days when administering drugs, like Ridlin and Prozac, to our children, prescribed by a psychologist, was considered an acceptable practice. Society today frowns on drugging children, but now, the so-called dog psychologists have taken over. They put our canine friends through a very similar indignity with almost the same drugs! 

K-9 Drives

Today, everybody seems to be an expert on the subject of K-9 drives. The ever-changing opinions do not stay the same for too long. However, I have always believed a dog is driven by two things – his prey and defense. His drive for prey would be the one during play while the drive to defend is a serious one.

Philosophy of Working Service dictates that while a wolf may be considered a pack animal, a dog cannot, since dogs have been known to leave their littermates and follow humans. A true pack animal, like the wolf, would avoid humans and stick to his own breed. Just as socializing with your colleagues at work does not make you a party animal, a dog that can work with other dogs is not necessarily a pack animal, based on just this criterion.

Personifying Dogs

Trouble starts when humans begin crediting dogs with human emotions or as having human traits. This is just as silly as thinking a human could possess canine traits. At the top of the list is the level of discernment that a dog can have. Humanizing the dogs has led to creation on multiple drives. Some of which that I have come across during my research are explained here.

Contradictory Terms and Misconceptions

Let us look at the term drives first. Initially described as "subconscious impulses to react to stimuli", this term curses the dog to exist as a creature unable to think. Overreaction to stimuli is a very real possibility that most kennelized dogs display but it is only a result of excessive kennelization, instead of allowing the dog to socialize. A dog’s innate drive has nothing to do with its response to stimulus, rather it is dictated by the environment.

Next up is the word temperament. Used to describe a dog's attitude towards life, and its qualities of a thinking animal, this term is contradictory to even the existence of drives. If this confuses you, as a handler, imagine what the dog feels like!

When asked to describe courage, most people would say that it is the absence of fear. However, to me not being afraid of objects or situations does not make you courageous, it makes you stupid! I believe courage is facing one’s fear and mustering the strength to work even when afraid. Veterans will tell you both courage and fear go hand in hand.

Types of Drives

• Hunt, Tracking and Air-scent 

Described as the need to pursue objects not within sight, they essentially mean the same thing. Attesting to that is the fact when tracking a dog who is hunting for a man’s scent during a Search & Rescue mission, most trackers will see the canine will use all of the senses at his disposal. Giving three names to a single drive only adds to the confusion of the handler and consequently, the dog.

• Retrieve

Described as the drive that allows a dog to bring an object back to his handler. I consider this a sporting term much the way forced retrieve is one. Since we often dogs refusing to retrieve stuff, we can say that this is an obedience exercise not dissimilar to other training exercises. It has nothing to do with the subconscious of a dog.

• Prey

Described as the subconscious need to bite and kill his prey. It is also displayed in a dog’s refusal to let go. We need to understand one crucial thing – if a dog is biting to kill, he is not playing anymore! This example will illustrate the difference between defensive and play modes. A dog chasing a cat is in play-mode or nonserious while the cat is fleeing for its life and is defensive or serious mode. 

• Rank

• Survival/Flight 

• Homing 

• Play

The subconscious need for physical contact with other packmates.

• Pack

Described as the subconscious need for emotional contact with the packmates.

• Activity

The list goes on and on. For an animal that is under the subconscious control of these drives, a dog seems to have a lot of them! He seems to me, a very complicated creature.

Further Collusion through Misinformation

Men and dogs have worked alongside each other in complete harmony. Misinformation like the “drives” is bent on destroying that human-dog relationship. Under stress or during intensive work, neither man nor the dog can indulge in such folly and must fight to survive.

Dogs were a part of defense during World War II; their dexterity amazed more than one person back then. The reason for a relationship that worked was that it was necessary. They did all they could to survive, instead of theorizing things that did not even exist!

Room for Improvement

I firmly belief a dog is driven by prey – play – and defense – serious. Reiterating this only means that I refuse to add confusion – whether on the training field or in my life. An unstable environment and misguided human attitude are the creators of K-9 problems. When training with your dog, try to think of the reason for each step of the training, even if constructive. Think on the practical applications, instead of theorizing about stuff or following blindly. Since I work in the field every day, I consider it the right thing to always ask, "Why?" Read more www.ccprotectiondogs.com

A Dog's Natural Ability

Many dog companies have been importing and selling Sporting and Schutzund dogs under the label of Protection dogs. Breeds like the German shepherd gained a somewhat bad reputation because of how these dog jockeys have mistreated them and then condemned them after earning so much money. These so-called trainers do not have the slightest idea about how to breed or even work with true Protection dogs! 

Before attempting to get into this assortment of problems, I want to clear a widespread misconception – a bite where a dog uses his canines is a bite out of fear. It could not be more misleading – do all predators, like tigers and lions, bite out of cowardliness or fear? Why possess canines, if a predator is supposed to use its molars to bite down? 

The unnatural way dogs are taught to deliver full-mouthed bites is against their nature. A real bite from a dog will never involve using his molars; instead, he will use the canines that God has given him for this very purpose when push comes to shove. Telling a boxer he is a coward if he uses his fists to punch will not make this teaching right.

This misinformation has gone on for too long and has wreaked havoc on the German shepherd breed, so much so that the breed has become twisted, warped, and rendered completely useless.

Several news articles are reporting that the German police have stopped using German shepherd dogs on the force. Now, they are attempting to cross-breed Malinois and German shepherd dogs in order to achieve capable Protection dogs. 

A sporting dog is not a Protection dog, no matter how you try to justify this claim. I have always tried to stand by this conviction and most of the time; I have been alone in this. If we continue to watch as by-standers, we will be letting those very “trainers” murder another capable breed, like the Malinois or even the Dutch shepherd dog the way they have ended the usefulness of German shepherds! Read more, www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Your Dog's Skin

If you see your dog scratching itself, it could probably be nothing or it might be a skin condition, making it itch. If you observe incessant scratching or that your dog is chewing at its own skin, understand that you have a problem at your hands. 

A perfectly healthy protection dog will have skin that will clue you in to its state of health. The canine’s skin is one of the first indications that it might be suffering from a skin problem that all dogs may experience. What increases the probability of these issues are unhealthy living environments. 

Types of Skin Problems

Some problems that your protection dog might experience include:

• Hot spots

• Acral lick Granuloma

• Changes in color or texture

• Impetigo

• Yeast infections

• Dry and flaky skin

• Hair Loss and shedding 

• Allergic Dermatitis

What Causes Skin Problems

Since a skin affliction might be caused by more than one reason, if you cannot discover its source, be vigilant in contacting your veterinarian. Some agents commonly found responsible are:

• Seasonal allergies: Allergens like weeds, dust, and pollen in the air might lead to scratching.

• Other causal agents are allergens present in dog food, colorings, and fillers.

• At times, owners use products that are not geared specifically towards dog grooming. They are often the cause for skin problems. 

• Changes in your protection dog’s metabolism or hormonal levels may also be responsible for textural or color differences.

How Serious are these Skin Problems

You should never take your dog’s health lightly. Skin problems can worsen and cause more damage than they would have, if caught and treated in the early stages. It is rather easy to spot, if your dog is experiencing them. Symptoms include:

• Licking, scratching, or chewing,

• Redness, scabs, scaly patches on face and paws, swellings or rashes,

• Rubbing their face against the furniture or on the carpet

Curing Skin Problems

Once you spot that your dog has been scratching itself excessively, contact the vet immediately. When you take your dog in, a vet will do a skin biopsy on your dog. It will be tested for the presence of ringworm, blood, and allergies. A microscopic exam of the skin and hair may also be in order.

Post-diagnosis, the vet will advise you to give your dog a balanced diet. He might also use anti-parasitic shampoos and ointments; recommend dietary supplements, injections, or antibiotics that will reduce the intensity of the dog’s allergic reactions.

Prevention of Skin Problems

Since in most cases, prevention is better than cure, you can reduce the risks of your dog getting a skin problem by providing them with:

• Hypoallergenic shampoos

• Regular brushing

• Healthy diet

• Clean home

• Optimal living conditions

To read more visit, www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Why Invest in a Personal Protection Dog

In an era of security alarms and monitoring homeowners may think they are protected from danger thanks to electronic devices.

This isn’t always the case with criminals becoming more tech online systems,savvy and hacking technology on the rise.

    

Protection from a highly trained dog can offer more security than any device can. They are effective, on-site protection that tells would be intruders or other criminals that they are being watched and will be stopped.

A select breed of dogs known for their exceptional protection qualities are available including German Shepherds, and Belgian Malinois dogs. These dogs are highly trained in defence measures to protect you and your family.

Nearly 70 per cent of people who choose CCPD are women. This is because a dog can be an excellent personal protection from attack or predators.

CCPD makes sure that the dog makes a smooth transition into the new home and has spent time working with female handlers.

Children can also feel safe and protected with a dog from CCPD. All protection dogs are trained to work around both adults and children from as early as five weeks (puppies).

They are the preferred choice for many CEOs who have to make frequent trips and leave their wife and children at home.

All the dogs trained at CCPD have been trained for social situations whether you have company over or are out running errands. They have been taught how to properly identify what is a threat and what is normal activity. They are highly socialized and make excellent companions so you never have to feel threatened in their presence. The dogs learn through real-life scenarios how to identify danger and protect those that care for them. 

CCPD has been matching dogs with new families for over 15 years and they work with each client to identify what the security needs are and what dog will work best in each situation.

Each dog is rated based on the level of protection required and what kind of working environment they will be in.

The Command Control Protection Dogs Executive Protection Dog is a well-mannered, sociable dog that is good with children and animals. They are trained with all off-leash obedience, aggression alert, and with further threat will take bite on body, release and return to handler on command.

To learn more about how CCPD can help you protect your family visit, www.ccprotectiondogs.com