Protection
“I love real training. …The right dog, the right training plan, very good agitation (there is a method to what looks chaotic), and very good leash handling and awareness of what the dog can reach. A+ work.”
— M. D’Abruzzo, Owner & Director, K9-1
Foundation
Foundation work focuses primarily on strengthening the dog’s mental state rather than training isolated technical skills. The primary objectives are:
A heightened sensitivity to potential threats — often referred to as sharpness, vigilance and watchfulness. We want a dog that is alert and ready to respond.
The ability to engage with and neutralise an advancing threat with confidence and self-assurance.
The mental toughness and resilience that allow the dog to handle defensive pressure and work through challenging situations with composure.
Thor
Advanced Work
The dog can then be advanced through any of the following elements, according to the needs of the owner and the capability of the dog.
The primary objective is to condition the dog to withstand escalating levels of pressure, teaching it to persevere despite initial resistance from an opponent. An attacker may employ punches, slaps, kicks, grabbing the skin, or attempts to intimidate the dog by throwing it against walls or doors.
Teaching the dog to withstand counter-attacks develops perseverance in the face of adversity — learning to push forward rather than retreat. This process empowers the dog to achieve victory even in daunting situations.
Koa
The suit presents a more realistic scenario to the dog, resembling an oversized, inflated jacket. The added protection allows calculated risk with the decoy’s safety and greater freedom to test the dog in diverse situations — including off-leash work.
Without the physical connection and security of the leash, many dogs become apprehensive or lose nerve. The suit gives increased versatility for testing and proofing, supporting a more comprehensive training approach.
Koa
The purpose of civil drills is to prevent equipment fixation. Dogs with high prey and hunting instincts often redirect frustration onto equipment, compromising focus on the opponent. Some dogs simply prefer to avoid confrontation by channelling onto equipment rather than facing the adversary head-on.
The dog’s primary objective must be to protect and defend its handler — not pursue equipment. Drills used include muzzle work, hidden sleeve work, civil agitation, and equipment shedding (spitting out dead equipment to pursue the live target).
Bane
This focuses on teaching the dog how to handle a passive or non-threatening individual. Many dogs react readily to an aggressive suspect, yet fail to respond appropriately to someone who appears friendly or apologetic.
Suspects often use a non-threatening demeanour to get you to drop your guard. The dog must understand that appearance alone does not determine threat, and maintain a healthy suspicion of anyone unfamiliar.
Phoebe
Apprehension is the act of a dog chasing and catching a fleeing suspect, rooted in prey drive. My approach prioritises defence and protection of the handler, owner and family. Pursuing a fleeing suspect can leave the owner vulnerable and undefended.
For this reason apprehension is not a primary focus. It is made available for clients who specifically require it.
Bane
This module teaches the dog to overcome barriers that may impede its ability to reach you in a crisis — windows, walls, fences, vehicles, stairs, furniture, slick floors, confined spaces or dark rooms.
The dog must demonstrate agility, determination and problem-solving (jumping, climbing or crawling) to reach you and provide assistance.
Coco
Fended attack training simulates an opponent attempting to block or deter the dog with an object — a backpack, chair, or by throwing rocks. This is particularly useful for dogs expected to guard property or work in apprehension contexts.
Teaching the dog to navigate these scenarios increases its effectiveness against an opponent’s attempts to fend it off.
Diesel
House or area searches leverage the dog’s sense of smell to detect potential intruders. The dog learns to systematically search a designated area for an unfamiliar or suspicious scent, locate its source, and then either alert or apprehend according to the owner’s preference.
This is a proactive security measure — especially valuable when returning home after an extended absence.
Kali
I have reservations about teaching dogs to release their grip on an opponent. In my experience this skill can be unreliable and may create hesitation — a liability in high-pressure situations where the dog needs unwavering resolve.
Instead of a release command, I focus on a “lift off” technique that allows the dog to be easily lifted off the bite, combined with a down-stay or active guard. This keeps the dog under control yet ready to re-engage if required — particularly useful after locating an intruder during a search.
Bane
Scenario training places the dog in unexpected, real-world situations to assess its response. This phase is not about training — it is about evaluating decision-making under pressure and identifying weaknesses.
Scenarios are tailored to the individual’s lifestyle and may include night-time simulations, ambushes while entering or exiting a vehicle, attacks during walks, being boxed-in at a driveway, or confrontations at ATMs or parking lots. The attack must be a genuine surprise — only then do we get an accurate picture of how the dog will respond.
Bane