Each bite sport has a list of exercises or scenarios that could be described as the staples of their sport. The stick attack, the face attack, and the courage test, are all the highlights of different sports for both decoys, handlers, and spectators. French ring decoys esquive the dog by trying to evade and make the dog miss the bite. PSA decoys bring forward, straight line pressure toward the dog to challenge their courage and commitment to the bite.
French ring dogs are taught to anticipate the movements of decoys as they try and escape and evade the bite. They are generally trained to target the pivot leg or the leg that is planted as the decoy attempts to make the dog miss the bite. If the dog is unable to capture the primary target, they are taught to bite whatever they can capture. Regardless of your preference of sport, the French Ring face attack is beautiful to watch as both the dog and decoy enter into a one on one display of athleticism and skill.
PSA dogs are allowed to target anywhere, but most trainers establish a primary target for the dog, and the left bicep is the most common. The PSA courage test is designed to test the dog’s nerve and courage as it bites a charging decoy. With the decoy and dog running toward each other, the PSA catch is structured to allow the dog to flow through the bite safely by biting a clearly defined target.
To further muddy the water, most American Shutzhund / IGP dogs are taught to target a sleeve presentation centered on the helper / decoy’s body. It is very common for dogs that compete in sleeve sports to target center on a fully suited decoy, regardless of the presentation the decoy makes, or the movement of the decoy.
If a dog trained primarily in PSA encounters the French Ring decoy and has only been taught a primary target which is all that is required in the lower levels, the decoy would more than likely be able to continue to make the dog miss the bite until distance is closed, and speed reduced. On the flip side, if the French Ring dog encounters a PSA decoy charging at them, the dog would more than likely try to evaluate which way the decoy is about to move laterally. When the PSA decoy does not change the line toward the dog, the dog will grip the part of the decoy that it believes will be the pivot side, and is usually interpreted as the forward stepping (planting) leg. For a forward moving decoy this can be a safety concern for the dog, as the picture is very different than the French Ring face attack picture.
Decoys in each sport should have a working knowledge of other sports and how dogs are trained for those sports. Trial decoys have a burden and responsibility to test dogs in trial, while also keeping them safe and returning them to the handler in the same condition they were sent down range. It’s equally important for handlers and trainers to prepare dogs that are attempting to cross over sports and compete in multiple disciplines. All too often, the burden of safety is left for the decoy, when handlers and trainers are equally responsible for preparing their dog for the trial pictures, presentations, and movements of decoys.
I was once questioned by a decoy regarding how I felt about French Ring dogs competing in PSA and if it should be allowed. My answer was fairly simple, “they are PSA dogs today.” Regardless of your dog’s foundation work, if they step on the field of a different sport, they will (and should) be treated like a dog trained for the venue they are competing in.
I am a firm believer in allowing dogs to live their best life and show their genetic gifts in sports, disciplines, or operations that truly allow them to express themselves. Watching dogs work for what they are bred for is one of most pure displays of genetics you will ever witness, and I’m here for all of it. With that being said, decoys, handlers, and trainers all have an equal burden to prepare the dog appropriately for the venue it enters. If you are not teaching appropriate entries into bites, or forgoing safety for titling in numerous sports, you are endangering the dog who only knows the pictures it has been taught in training. Before you step on a trial field and point at a decoy that has never seen your dog before, ask yourself if you have properly prepared your dog for the rules and technique required of the sport you are entering.
In closing, I rarely encounter professional decoys from any venue speaking ill of other sports or decoys. Those conversations are usually left for the fence sitters, ego driven, or newbies. I choose a single sport to trial decoy, but have a general respect for aspects of all bite sports, especially for the decoys / helpers that train in their respective discipline. I love nothing more than to watch a face attack, a stick attack, or a courage test, and watch the best each respective sport has to offer; display their agility, speed, power in intimate moments with dogs.
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