Fila meeting an agitator

[tb44]

Ab your dogs are beautiful. Where do you find these crazy people that are willing to go up against a 170 lb fila? Jk

 

[musicdeb]

(((angelbears))) Long time...Hope all is ok.

I, too, read alligator. hehehehehehe

No advice but wanted to say, "how the hell are ya?"

 

[angelbears]

Hi, folks. Thanks for the warm, fuzzy hellos.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

Hi, AB! Nice to see you again. I have no experience or advice but I am certainly looking forward to hearing about how it went.

 

[zebraworks]

here are actual tests (behind a fence is not any actual test according to standards):

FBA: Dog Must Wear a Buckle Collar & Strong Lead (No Choke Collars Allowed).
There will be seven tests for dog to pass:
• Neutral Stranger
. Friendly Stranger
. Umbrella Test
. Strange Footing
. Rattling Can and Gun Test
. Threat to Handler/Dog

BEHAVIOR TOWARD STRANGERS
Objective is to determine the dog's reaction to noise and measure its alertness and curiosity.
Neutral Stranger - A stranger passes the dog and handler, ignoring both.
Friendly Stranger - A stranger approaches the dog and handler, speaks to handler, shakes handler's hand, and leaves. The stranger is not required to touch dog.

REACTION TO ACOUSTICAL STIMULI
The objective is to determine the reaction to noise and measure dog's alertness and curiosity.
Rattling Can Containing Stones - Dog and handler walk past a stranger who shakes the can.
Gun Test - Assistant will fire blanks at a distance of 5 meters (about 16 ft.) from the dog.

REACTION TO VISUAL STIMULI
Objective is to test the dog's reaction to a sudden visual stimulus and to measure the dog's investigative behavior.
Umbrella Test - Handler and dog approach a sitting assistant who is relaxed and motionless. When the dog approaches umbrella, assistant smoothly opens and lowers it to the ground. Dog should investigate umbrella. Handler may encourage the dog for a limited time.

FOOTING TEST
Objective is to measure the reaction to unusual footing and willingness to accompany handler. Handler and dog walk lengthwise over a strong plastic sheet laid flat, or over an opened dog pen laid flat on level ground.

SELF-PROTECTIVE/AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR
Objective is to test dog's capacity to recognize a potential threatening situation and show how the dog defends himself and his owner in a positive manner when faced with a threat. If handler anticipates trouble controlling the dog, a second leash attached to a suitable object (vehicle or post) may be used. An unfriendly stranger will approach the dog and handler with a stick and appear to attack. At no time is the dog or handler touched or beaten with the stick.

Disqualification - Any Fila showing cowardice or aggression to its owner is immediately disqualified and cannot pass the Temperament Test.

CAFIB:

The temperament-test of the CAFIB for Filas shows us the following: the at least one year [of age], but preferably older dog, will be put on a long lead provided with a tether. The owner has to step aside a few metres. Then, a person will energetically approach and threaten the dog with a stick and protection pad. The ideal Fila will, while absolutely still, focus on the attacker until he exceeds the distance of about 1 or 2 metres, then the Fila will attack while he jumps straight up to the person directly and wholly. The fila doesn't step back, never looks back to his owner and is not influenced by the protection pad, but attacks the person from above. Usually the person and the dog don't have contact. Therefore there is no biting involved - except when the person involved has come too near and will hold out his sleeve for his own protection. The whole exercise called "attacking" is therefore for a very short time. Only the reaction of the dog is wanted. The reaction ought to be hard, ought not to show any hesitation and has to be focused on the attacker as such. A good sort of Fila has this behaviour inbred in him. This is his character and doesn't need to be trained.

In the course of his development the aversion against strangers will become more and more apparent. Already as a puppy the Fila will clearly show his displeasure if a stranger would try to touch him. At about the age of one year the Fila would attack any person unknown to him who would try to touch him.


An agitated or restless disposition in a Fila is highly undesirable as it may be a symptom of nervousness and insecurity. One must remember that the Fila needs provocation in order to attack, for example, when an unknown person stares at him fixedly (as a challenge). Here it becomes evident another typical feature of the Fila: his courage will not allow him to move one step back when facing a provocation of any kind. No matter which instrument is used for the temperament test (rod, broom, towel, chair, etc.) the Fila's reaction is always prompt. spontaneous, and without any sign of insecurity. He throws himself forward and upwards (making the characteristic diagonal ascent, mentioned in the CAFIB-standard) attempting to reach the face or the throat of the aggressor. Exactly at this point the Fila differs from other dogs (like German Shepherds) who attack only when ordered, doing what they have been taught to do, showing rather the extent of their conditioning than true courage and instinctive reaction against aggression



Nervous system
There are dogs who, as soon as they hear the shot at the nervous system test, will move behind their owners or, as in some cases, will desperately try to run out of the ring. Practical experience teaches us that these reactions can be foreseen by simple observation of the dog's behaviour when he enters the exhibition ring. His insecurity is expressed in the way in which he looks rapidly in every direction, turning around as he hears some unexpected noise, in the way he carries his tail, the hair ruffled on the back, stopping abruptly and refusing to follow the owner, etc. The good specimens, however, although they are ready to attack provocation, will demonstrate clearly the firmness of their nerves in their calm way of walking, serene and self-assured, they pay no attention any kind of commotion or strange noises, they are oblivious to other dogs or persons as long as these do not come too close.

 

[Tiger12490]

She never said she was going for a CAFIB test just that she wanted to test her dogs a little

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

W/B AB I was just thinking of you the other night and wondering how you are doing! I don't have anything to add as I don't own a Fila and would have no idea what advise to give but tell Cane to eat him!

 

[Rugers-Kris]

I have been seriously considering doing the same with Ruger. I just haven't found anyone who does this professionally in my area. I would like to see what he would do in certain circumstances even though he is not a Fila.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

I have been seriously considering doing the same with Ruger. I just haven't found anyone who does this professionally in my area. I would like to see what he would do in certain circumstances even though he is not a Fila.

When you do let us know I'm curious about how Ruger would react

 

[Rugers-Kris]

I definitely will.

When you do let us know I'm curious about how Ruger would react

 

[NYDDB]

I read alligator too.

So did I-- and I was VERY curious to see how that one would end, LOL.

 

[Kelly]

An agitator...that would be a cool job.

My dad was in the rcmp and wanted to be in the canine division. first they had to be the agitator guy and it scared him out of the dog handler department lol. dont think he had dogs growing up.

anyway, sorry gone off track here,

AB can you have someone video it?

 

[zebraworks]

She never said she was going for a CAFIB test just that she wanted to test her dogs a little

I listed temperament tests for FBA and CAFIB with agitators....to test how your dog fence guards doesn't take an agitator just any old person will do.

 

[ravendarat]

Agitator? What is that. Also I read Alligator and all I could think is that that poor alligator was in for a shitty day and you were in for new alligator skin accessories.

 

[zebraworks]

Agitator? What is that. Also I read Alligator and all I could think is that that poor alligator was in for a shitty day and you were in for new alligator skin accessories.

it is a person that approaches the dog and owner agressively with threatening motion or with a rod/broom/chair/wheelbarrow etc. [video=youtube_share;7TH9LMOfUg8]http://youtu.be/7TH9LMOfUg8[/video]

 

[chuckorlando]

Love when they spit the sleeve and keep going

 

[ruthcatrin]

I listed temperament tests for FBA and CAFIB with agitators....to test how your dog fence guards doesn't take an agitator just any old person will do.

She's looking for advice on how to make the whole thing go more smoothly and what other steps might be a good idea, not a lecture on the "proper" and "legal" way to do it. Pretty sure Angelbears knows where to find all that anyway....

 

[chuckorlando]

No matter how you do a test, IMO, you still dont know for sure on anything. Fact is when a dog attacks people dont just sit there. They fight back. So untill your dog has had a steel toe to the ribs or a swollen eye it's all a show. It's a great indicator no doubt but not the bottom line by any means.

 

[angelbears]

LOL, Raven. I'm afraid there are no new alligator shoes or bag. Maybe we'll work on that next.


Ruth, you are very correct. I was looking for suggestions to make the experience go more smoothly, not for guidance about how to find someone or what I should be looking for from my dogs. We've been to Working Weekends and Shows; I've attended several temperament tests. I wanted some ideas about doing it at home.




My apologies for the delay in posting the results of yesterday's meeting with an agitator, but we were all worn out. Keep in mind that we're older....food and a long winter's nap were needed after all the excitement.


I think I mentioned that one of my concerns was with Cane's “mellowing out†over the last year or so; he made it clear yesterday that it is an attitude of calm confidence. My boy done me proud, not backing down at all. We started out behind the chain link fence, and it took both me and Debra to hold him back when Cane saw the agitator approaching the fence. After the agitator made several threatening approaches and retreats, I agreed to tie Cane to the front of the fence, with me holding the leash to his flat collar, while the agitator approached with a sleeve. Cane hit the sleeve several times, and the agitator let the sleeve slide off a couple of times, but Cane couldn't care less about that sleeve. Until the agitator moved back 15-20 feet, Cane was only interested in getting to the agitator. BTW, Cane was much more aggressive outside the fence, then he was behind the fence


The agitator (and I) was pleased with Cane's nerve. The agitator did suggest doing some bite work, but since Cane has decided to go all macho towards Ziva since yesterday's coupe, I'm not sure that we'll be providing any more opportunities for him to swagger. He's being aggressive, butting her with his head and trying to mount her. With her bad hips, that is an absolute no-no in our house, and we're having to put him in his place quite a bit.


The agitator was surprised by Cane's size. I had told him that Cane was about 170, but Erwin said everyone adds 20 pounds to their dog....he couldn't believe I hadn't exaggerated, and after seeing Cane, wasn't sure that I shouldn't be estimating him at 180.


Ziva wasn't nearly as fierce as Cane, but the agitation did provide one moment of intense pleasure for me. As expected, she had a fit and put on a great show at the stranger in her yard on the other side of the fence – until Erwin approached and swung at her across the fence mildly with the sleeve. She backed down quickly, retreating several feet to get away from him.


Later, we had both of the Filas out at the same time, inside the fence. We had Ziva tied to the fence, and we were working with Cane. Somehow, Ziva slipped her collar and was loose. She didn't run to the house, and she didn't run to the back of the yard; she just kind of stood there, looking confused. We pulled Cane back from the fence, and I went to get Ziva. I squatted down, held out my arms, and she came right to me and sat down so that I could enfold her in my arms. I was so proud of my girl. Remember that just a little more than a year ago, she came to us at about 80 pounds, a stray who'd been on the streets awhile, just a bundle of nerves, and afraid to trust.


When she came to me for protection, showing that she has learned to trust me, I couldn't have been prouder.


As Chuck said, one never knows until a real situation presents itself how one's dogs will react, but my big old Americana Fila showed that he has strong nerves and the desire to protect his momma. What more could you ask for? Overall, this was a very positive experience in so many ways.

The agitator said that he would send be a copy of the video he made, I will post it when I get it.

 

[tb44]

Can't wait to see the video. What is the average size range of a fila?