Bitework for Behaviourists

Join us for a fascinating insight into the world of bitework training for the canine behaviourist.

As a dog professional, it is crucial that you understand various disciplines within the canine world. While you may not wish to train gundogs, scent detection dogs, or protection dogs, it is essential to have a solid understanding of all aspects of dog training.

Bitework (manwork, criminal work, protection work or whatever you want to call it)  – is a discipline often misunderstood. From PSA and IGP to operational security and police dogs, the initial training methods may be similar, but the desired outcomes differ significantly. These outcomes range from achieving success in competitions to preserving the life of their handler, community or their family.

The role of the ‘decoy’ is an exceptionally skilled one, often overlooked by many. It is developed over many years of working with dogs and learning the subtle nuances of dog behaviour. Key skills include building confidence and drive, as well as the critical ability to assess a dog quickly to determine whether it should or should not be trained in any form of bitework.

For the professional dog behaviourist, understanding these factors is vital. Our team knows how to trigger suspicion and aggression in dogs and how to enhance these traits. Conversely, they also understand how not to trigger these behaviours and how to diffuse them.

The aim of the workshop is not to make you in to a professional decoy, but to give you an understanding of this very specialised discipline of dog training and we hope to enhance your ability to read dogs and to stay safe when working with clients.  

The use of specific equipment is vital to succeed in successful protection work. Also for safety purposes for the helper/decoy.

Different protection sports use different equipment. For example, ring sports, the decoy uses a full bite suits, because the dog can target different areas of the body.

IGP the helper uses a sleeve, which can be used on either arm and wears scratch pants, which are protective pants.

Police and service dogs will be trained on covert sleeves, hidden sleeves.

The equipment will also vary with the age of the dog. It is so important to develop a young dogs bite. A young dog will require different equipment to older and adult dogs.

Also, different sports expect different bites from the dogs. Ring sports want push grips, while IGP requires the dog to pull and fight the helpers. Some sports are judged on the quality of the grips, and some sports are not.

WORKSHOP DATE to be confirmed soon.

To register your interest for our next workshop, email hello@cidbt.org.uk or find out more about our workshops here