Posted by Lee
on July 30, 2009, 10:01 am, in reply to "Re: OK, now it is time for what I really think..."
69.247.178.15
Here is a reply I made on another forum that perhaps explains what I mean by "defense of prey" or "prey guard."
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You can't threaten a dead rabbit.
I believe the prey guard to be something like 1 wolf has a dead rabbit that it killed. A second wolf approaches the first and challenges him for the rabbit.
The reason it is easier than PURE defense directed at the first wolf himself is because the second wolf has no interest in the first wolf, but is just interested in not "threatening" the dead rabbit, but winning the dead rabbit.
So, the second wolf (the attacker) is focussed on the dead rabbit.
The first wolf (the defender) realizes that to keep his rabbit he can not run off with it, but must actually drop the rabbit and warn the challenger he is not going to "give it up."
It starts out very basic...maybe even without the challenger even making a "threat"...but just a cautious approach. Because the challenge has very little threat to the defender himself, so even a beginning dog will often display an intent of not "giving up" his prey willingly.
When this "protective" display is shown, the decoy should immediately run off and let the defending dog learn that expressing aggression is rewarding at times (and permitted by the handler).
Then, the "challenger" makes stronger and stronger challenges only progressing at the defending dog's pace by reading the defending dog for signs of stress. You want to build the aggression, not push too hard and drive the defender into avoidance. The defender should never think...this prey item isn't worth fighting for.
IMO, eventually if the defender is worth his salt he will come to a point that he develops actual aggression for his opponent without the need of the prey guard...and now you are ready to really progress in PP work...and really build fight drive...as it leads to Hogbender's "emotion" type of training.
Also, I believe the "prey guard" (or defense of prey) should be used in conjuction with civil aggitation...at a pace or level appropriate to the dog's response.
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