Decoys and Aggression [Hardcover]

Stephen Mackenzie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1996

A good decoy needs to be an expert in canine communication, and needs to know how to use this language to stimulate aggression in the dog. This book explains, step by step, how to understand the canine paralanguage and how to use your own body to communicate with the dog. It then explains the different types of natural dog aggression and how to use its own language to trigger the useful types without being abusive to the dog. Decoys and Aggression also describes drills designed to develop skill in the decoy. Some are designed to be conducted without dogs until the human demonstrates enough body control to work with a live animal without injuring the dog or himself. This book is the first to combine inter-species communication skills with the specific types of aggression known to be useful to police dog trainers. As such, it is essential reading for all decoys, instructors and students alike, as well as for K9 personnel, handlers, and trainers.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Detselig Enterprises; 1 edition (1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1550591320
• ISBN-13: 978-1550591323
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #655,828 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for all decoys and K-9 handlers!!!, April 24, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Decoys and Aggression (Hardcover)

Great information for novices and experts alike. Excellent section on reading canine body language and influencing the dog's perception of you by using your body language. I have read and re-read this book many times and have found valuable information every time. This book is essential for all novice decoys, trainers and for anyone who handles dogs that can be aggressive. Get this book, it may save you from being bitten or seriously injured.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent presentation of basic decoy sleeve work, April 7, 2010

By 

hemu-ha (Romania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Decoys and Aggression (Hardcover)

Reading fluency: 7/10
Content information: 9/10
Entry level requirement: 5/10

First off, this book is not designed to help you train your dog for protection or sport (bark&hold, etc.), nor does it cover the development of bitework. If you're interested in these, look elsewhere first, although this book would definitely come in handy once you're ready for it, at least in better understanding what your decoys is doing.

The book primarily targets the begining decoys although, as i've said, others can benefit from it (at least in understanding dog aggression in some circumstances). The more experienced decoys don't have much to gain from it, as Mackenzie stops at basic procedures.
The novice decoy, however, has a lot to learn from this book. Not only does it prepare him for basic procedures (footwork, tug, presenting the sleeve, offering the bite, when to drop the sleeve, using the stick, civil agitation, bite suit, muzzle work, whips, etc.), it also prepares him theoretically, teaching him how to read the dog and how to activate specific types of aggression.

However, there are no bite suite, leg bites or ring sport discussions, it only covers the sleeve. The ring sport decoys will find little help here, except for the aggression topics.

Some of the subjects covered:

- what the decoy has to do,
- physical requirements needed to do the job,
- how dogs communicate and how we can communicate with them (specifically regarding aggression),
- how to "read" a dog's intentions (one of the best chapters in the book),
- how to work the dog in prey and "defense drive",
- different types of aggression and how to stimulate each one,
- basic procedures.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be in every dog trainers library, May 10, 2000

By 

G. T. Bolzle (U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Decoys and Aggression (Hardcover)

This book is the best I've seen for teaching decoys to read dogs. The information is great for both novice and seasoned trainer. Prior to training any decoy it is required reading. It's great to see someone who has spent time training dogs not just studying theories. It is well written, clear cut and straight to the point, it's filled from start to finish with useful information.