Any mastiffs in ring?

[ayecaps]

Do any of you compete in any ring or personal protection sports with your mastiffs?

If so what are some of the problems you've ran into during training and how did you get around to solving them?

Kratos and I are doing French Ring but his drive seems to be more focused on live prey item and not so much the bite suit.

I'll add some pics when I get on my laptop!

 

[ayecaps]

Here are some pics of Kratos being worked by a FR level 3 selectif decoy

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KristinandCianna]

Gorgeous boy!! I do IPO with my CC female, we are actually getting ready to go for our 1. The biggest issues in protection that I have had, are grips, and control. Her grips are good, but, were harder to get then the GSD we train with. For example, C was a chewer and thrasher. Took awhile to get her grips calm and solid. She does have a lot of prey but is primarily a defensive dog, so the helpers have had to make sure to really work her in prey to keep her grips calm, and get her strike better and better. Strike still is not great. Control, she is very helper focused so it was VERY difficult to get ob in the protection phase with her, a lot of choking to get her to shut up and sit, and a lot of heeling corrections. The GSD we were training with would take a ball even with the helper on the field as a reward for good heeling, but not my Corso, she always wanted the helper. We ended up doing a lot of heeling for bites, which ended up working great after a lot of practice.

 

[ayecaps]

Gorgeous boy!! I do IPO with my CC female, we are actually getting ready to go for our 1. The biggest issues in protection that I have had, are grips, and control. Her grips are good, but, were harder to get then the GSD we train with. For example, C was a chewer and thrasher. Took awhile to get her grips calm and solid. She does have a lot of prey but is primarily a defensive dog, so the helpers have had to make sure to really work her in prey to keep her grips calm, and get her strike better and better. Strike still is not great. Control, she is very helper focused so it was VERY difficult to get ob in the protection phase with her, a lot of choking to get her to shut up and sit, and a lot of heeling corrections. The GSD we were training with would take a ball even with the helper on the field as a reward for good heeling, but not my Corso, she always wanted the helper. We ended up doing a lot of heeling for bites, which ended up working great after a lot of practice.

Thank you! It's funny, I seem to have the same problems with Kratos when it comes to bites. Obedience wise he's fine but it's taking a while for his grip to develop. I guess it's frustrating seeing all these younger shepherds develop so much faster but sometimes I forget he's a mastiff . Kratos and I should be going for out brevet in December, good luck on your 1!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KristinandCianna]

Yeah, I have heard, and have seen for myself that some of these Mastiff's have a harder time with their grip, and do take longer to mature. Be patient with him, and have fun!!! I know I spent a lot of time in the early days of her training stressing and worrying about how long it was taking her to progress, that sometimes I didn't enjoy the ride. Thank you, and best of luck with Kratos! Looking forward to video of your brevet!

 

[remi]

Remi has done nicely in the conformation ring and may do obedience as well as weight pull but being my service dog is her first priority.

 

[KMD]

Barrett has a great, fast strike and strong initial pull but as soon as there is pullback from the helper she gives up... so we are doing very gradual work on a light tug and letting her "win" a LOT at the moment. Lots and lots of "play" with prey toys and bite rags at the moment.