Thread: Michael Ellis on Drives and Aggression

Dear Jeff

I am sorry that you are so sensitive and that you feel that I personally attacked you.

I can take criticism well Jeff, look at other people posts i don't mind as long it is not a witch hunt but offers a solution, not just picking holes, that i have already admitted are there.

She had minimal training till know and she had quite a serious knock back.

I have never stated that she is in Super fight drive they are your words.

In your opinion what drive is she in?

@Brad i will put your suggestions to my trainer thank you and as to Dave Mills any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

He can PM me if he doesn't want to post it here.

Adam VIPSS

Hey Adam, you have yourself a nice female in that dog on the video. She is not super strong, nor super drivey, but she is workable, and a good example of a young female mate. From reading through here, I can see that she does have some issues and where they come from. At the end of the day its up to you mate, as grip is a personal thing. For me it counts for a lot, not like Sch breeders or anything, but I feel a nice calm full grip makes a pretty picture, and displays a dog that's confident, and happy in its working mind and state, which is always nice. For me, I would take her back a few stages. I would switch her to a nice soft leg sleeve, as this is further away from the whip, and just work on her being calm, and enjoying the bite again. Stimulation should be reduced to nearly nothing, and she can then learn to engage without stress, fill her mouth, forget about growling, and begin to work in a happy state again. Your suit worker needs to tone it right down mate. He is there to help the dogs, and work with her to maximise her potential. Therefore she needs, no, she MUST be comfortable in his presence, and holding onto him. I like to stroke, and reinforce the dogs on the bite, myself as the suit worker. Although not common in this country, it is standard practise in Europe, and I've seen the difference in dogs to see that it works. Your suit worker's main role in this situation is to help in the calming/re-enforcing process, as she has drive enough and therefore requires nearly no stimulation from him. He needs to help her once she is on the bite, and show her she can have trust in him, and enjoy working on him once more.

You have a good start in what you have. Now just take some time, and allow the dog to enjoy your hobby too. Take a few steps back, and once you have a complete picture, you'll then look back and see that it was so worthwhile.

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Kind regards,

David Mills
Integraguard | Real Working Dogs | About Integraguard

Hi Dave

Thank you for your post.

As to your suggestions we would have to agree to disagree as this is not a hobby and i have to work with her on daily basis in real situations.

I am happy with the direction that we are going.
If i was doing sport and the focus was on a calm grip I would definitely agree with your suggestions.

We had a great training session today where things are starting to fall in to place

Adam VIPSS

"I am happy with the direction that we are going.
If i was doing sport and the focus was on a calm grip I would definitely agree with your suggestions."

VERY HEARTENING NEWS ADAM! VERY GLAD THAT YOU ARE HAVING [B]PROFOUND[B] SUCCESS WITH YOUR NEW APPROACH.

Whilst I deeply enjoy the dog you own, as communicated via private message and posts, I would encourage you to consider the possibility that somebody else may have something to add to your training.

I once heard it said that if you keep doing what you have always done, and expect a different outcome as a result of that, then it is the true definition of crazy.

David Mills is extensively travelled, and deeply immersed in the european culture of the breed of dog that you work, own, and train.

It would seem that you are a little dismissive of his simple advice regarding the extensive video that you have posted...and i would suggest that at the very least you give him a call on 0411305282 and discuss his opinions before refuting them categorically.

Dave is a dear friend, yes, but THIS is NOT about that.....merely encouraging you and most defininately your decoy to have a deeper discussion with him before you choose to discount his input.

You have seemed to discount any input so far that does not fit with your pre-formed opinion of a dog you own, love and work...a tenuous position at best.

Once again Adam....I LIKE YOU BITCH, SHE SEEMS A FUN DOG TO OWN.

BUT.....could she be more?

Entertain the possibility!

Dave and disagree all the time, but we work it out through trial, error, and mutual respect for measurable results. Why not repost a vid in 2 months if you believe she is on the track to success?

As for grip, it is genetic. I have never seen a dog with a truly chewy grip that was not born with that tendency....

DOES IT MAKE THEM A SHIT DOG?

HELL NO!

Your bitch is really fun mate, glad you love and enjoy her.....the dog is more than just a grip, after all.....I know plenty of dogs with killer grips that are terrible dogs to own....keep it in perspective.

High Regards,

BG