Combat Strategies for the K9 Handler gets reviews from Australia and the UK

Since its release last year Combat Strategies for the K9 Handler has gotten allot of 'off the record' reviews. This is largely due to the fact that professionally I work with many guys and gals who's livelihood goes hand in hand with their anonymity, and we sometimes don't often see the impact they have on our own lives. However, every now and then I come across colleagues in similar fields that are able to let their opinions be heard. I was so honored by the reviews I got most recently from the UK, where Dorothy Collum contributing writer at a publication called Breed Notes sent the DVD to Operational K9 Handler 'Craig Howarth' and this is an excerpt of what he had to say: 'The instruction is clear, the demonstrations are crisp and to the point a testament to the skills of those involved.The dog used for the demonstration is an experienced dog, hence the control,
the focus of the animal is of a high standard, and it might be worth mentioning the training involved to get to this standard.  I am unsure if this DVD forms a series, if it is not I feel it should be. The progression of both dog work and handler skills (UDT) would be well sought after as both on aid and conducting training.

I also wanted to post what Kris Kotsopoulos said about the DVD. Kris is a dog trainer and supplies K9's to major departments in Australia and New Zealand. I could not have said this better:

We all know that the landscape of law enforcement today is vastly more complex than that of even a decade ago. The old model for K9 and Defensive Tactics training followed the ‘one size fits all’ approach; and two or three decades back, there were few viable alternatives. Nowadays though, ignorance is no longer a plausible excuse and it is expected that professionals keep abreast with best practice in all areas of training – including K9 / Defensive Tactics.
The Problem: 
There are two parts to the problem. The first being that most large Law Enforcement agencies are simply overwhelmed with operational duties, administrative considerations and the like, that they simply do not have either the time or the resources to be keeping abreast with changes in K9 Defensive Tactics training models – most of which are taking place at an accelerated rate within the private sector. The end result of this is that the K9 / Defensive Tactics training models in use tend to be decades ‘behind the times’. The second part of the problem is that operational needs vary greatly from agency to agency and from group to group within those agencies. The idea of one all-encompassing K9  / Defensive Tactics training package that will fulfil everyone’s needs – is simply a myth.
The Solution:
In as far as it is practicable to do so, everyone should be trained in a Core Competencies K9 / Defensive Tactics package that reflects absolute best practice by today’s standards. The emphasis here should be placed on DEFENCE – with the primary goal being to maximize survival opportunities and safety for the operator. Most Law Enforcement agencies are decades behind the private sector in this area. Operators remain at greater risk than at any other time in history.

I believe Vithala Singh’s address the above issues.

Thanks to everyone so far who have taken the time to review this DVD and make it available to the men and women on the front lines with their K9's !

For more about the DVD go HERE!

Great New Book- 'HOW TO ACHIEVE PRECISION TRACKING WITH YOUR DOG'- Kris Kotsopoulos

A couple years back in Germany at dinner with Koos Hassing, I met Kris Kotsopoulos and even though we did not exchange information, something told me we would meet again. Kris is very methodical and deliberate in his speech. He has spent decades travelling the world acquiring and practising some of the most cutting edge techniques in dog training and behaviour modification.

Skip to the present, I found Kris as a local luminary in the GSD world in Australia.
Apart from his competency as an Instructor and trainer, Kris is also a very dedicated Breeder in Australia of Working dogs- Dobermans and German Shepherds. In fact he even has coveted Genetic Material from some of the greats ! Take a look at the video below of real uncut footage of Gento vom Haus Larwin in Germany!!





I got a copy of Kris' book and since then, I could not put it down. If you are a beginner, it is absolutely excellent. If you are a seasoned competitor it helps you with that extra edge. For me having done everything from failing tracking to going 1st Place in Germany in OG Heide with 99 points, I can really appreciate the layout and information in this book. I highly recommend it-

If you've ever wanted to perfect your tracking and:
Achieve 100 points in tracking? Learn how to plan and lay a track for success? Increase scent commitment? Eliminate the possibility of your dog missing articles? Learn how to lay, introduce and teach corners? Prevent overshooting of corners Slow your dog down without destroying motivation? Integrate clicker and remote trainer during tracking? Understand your dog’s olfactory ability? Shape behaviour for competition? Proof your dog for tracking reliability? Increase proficiency for Police, Search and Rescue
Check it out Here and get your COPY NOW

Merry Christmas!

Just a quick message to say Merry Christmas. I hope that you all have a wonderful time with your loved ones. If you are fortunate to be in their company celebrate, if not then hold the memories of wonderful times past, dearly in your heart.

This year was a good one for El Dorado Kennel, Akira and myself. Out A litter is doing very well, with some updates I will soon share. Also, Akira and I were fortunate to make the grade for Next year's bigger competitions - the Universal Sieger Show in Slovenia in June , and of course the WUSV in October in Austria. We hope to better our scores in a trial early in 2012.

Also, I am about to announce some more cool additions to our journey, and I am sure it will be as exciting for you as we continue on our journey in the Sport Dog World.

The German Shepherd Dog Reflections Book and DVD, will be published in 2012, and more exciting opportunities are opening up with possible televising in the US of some of the Interviews :

Merry Christmas to All

Glædelig Jul

 Gajan Kristnaskon
Hyvää Joulua
 
Joyeux Noël
 
Froehliche Weihnachten
 
Kala Christouyenna
 
Mele Kalikimaka
 
Bada Din Mubarak Ho
 
Gledileg Jol
 
Nollaig Shona Dhuit
 
Buon Natale
 
Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
 
Sung Tan Chuk Ha
 
Natale hilare
 
Linksmu Kaledu
 
Meri Kirihimete
 
God Jul
 
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
 
Feliz Natal
 
Srozhdestovm Kristovim
 
Feliz Navidad
 
Maligayang Pasko
 
Suksun Wan Christmas
 
Nadolig Llawen
 
Veselé Vánoce a šťastný Nový rok!

Счастливого Рождества и Нового Года!

Vrolijk kerstfeest en een Gelukkig nieuwjaar!

Wesołych Świąt i Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku!

Καλά Χριστούγεννα και Ευτυχισμένο το Νέο Έτος!

Kellemes Karácsonyi Ünnepeket és Boldog Új Évet!

חג שמח ו שנה טובה

الزواج في عيد الميلاد ورأس السنة الميلادية

結婚聖誕節和新年快樂

Coaching from Ivan Balabanov

Check out a little video I put together of me and Akira getting some coaching from Ivan Balabanov. For more on Ivan check out his training videos.

We had a great time and learned alot as always. Looking forward to great results in the upcoming trial.

Getting Closer to completion

A little glimpse into some of the subjects of the Interviews. Getting closer to completion as I make my way to Europe on my last research trip before publishing the book and DVD entitled:
'German Shepherd Dog Refelctions' a compilation of Interviews with some of the most Legendary breeders in the Show Lines, Working Lines and Sport, Police and Herding as well. Looking forward to your feedback as this project is getting closer to completion.

Edelweiss-Universal Sieger Show in Austria

Edelweiss is no longer reserved for the Sound of Music for those who remember, nor the Salzburg Festival
This year sees the inaugural event of a Universal Sieger Show in Austria. It will be a combination of the Conformation or anatomical assessments together with a score emanating from the Schutzhund 3 competition. Therefore it is a step to demonstrating the breed with as many facets of beauty as well as functionality, as seen thus far. Although we tried very hard to make it, Akira and I did not qualify. However this year Trinidad and Tobago will be represented by my close friend Christopher Seeyave of the German Shepherd Breed Club in Trinidad. He will be competing with 2 time WUSV competitor Glen vom Hexenkeller. Glen is a Tyson von der Schiffslache son and you can see his latest performance in international competition here:



Eric Wight (GB) with Glen vom Hexenkeller from IPO.nu on Vimeo.

We wish Christopher best of luck, and although I could not join him, I hope all his hard work pays off and that he gets a great score in the competition. 

Remembering Joseph Donald Tackett

Joseph Donald Tackett, 73, of Dayton passed away on Fri., May13, 2011 at Odyssey Hospice in Houston.
Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Victoria Tackett in 2009. Joe was best known for his great training of German Shepherd's for over 60 years and a Master Judge for that breed. He was one of the early founders of the United States Schutzhund Club. He was the founder of the Good Shepherd German Shepherd Club of Dayton.
Joe leaves behind his most trusted friends, Axel, Mercy, Ivan, Ariel, and Snowball; as well as many human friends. Please view, sign and share memories of Joe in his guestbook at www.sterlingfuneralhome.com

Last Year Joe judged the Trial in Trinidad under the German Shepherd Breed Club  and Akira was awarded her Schutzhund 2 title. Joe was knowledgeable and very gracious when imparting his experience. He will be missed.

 

 Joe Tacket with Allan Mitchell at my home as we marked the first time a Schutzhund Trial was conducted in Trinidad using 2 Local Helpers!!