Opinions on this Staff training video?

This is a video where a guy is training his Staff to be an attack dog. Now I don't think the dog is mistreated and the guy, from comments on his YouTube channel, appears to be a nice guy who respects his dog. But something about this video just made me feel genuinely sick. I don't think a Staff is an appropriate breed for this, there are breeds that suit this much better. I think that this is wrong because it goes against the nature of the breed. But am I just emotionally attached to Staff's? Just wondering the opinion of others on here since I know there are some true enthusiasts on here

I can't watch at work!

My main concern is that the dog isn't being taught to release on command - just to attack & hold on.

I've no problem with working trials & schutzhund work where 'man work' is taught, but these dogs are taught to find, stand off, bite, release & stand off again.

Not keen on the vid - the Staffy looks fab condition, but - it latches onto the man and the handler is yanking it about ?! Why ?!

No commands, it's just latched on and that's it

I was really impressed with the obedience heel-work at the beginning.

When the dog was told to attack by god that bloke would have been in serious trouble if he hadn't had a fat suit on - look where the dog grabbed him , youch!

I did think about half-way through that it looked as though the handler was having trouble in getting the dog to release hold, although he did do towards the end and was wagging his tail and cuddling his handler, it was obviously a great game for the dog.

I also thought that the break-stick seemed to excite the dog further.

Don't try this at home, folks!

Jackieb wrote:Not keen on the vid - the Staffy looks fab condition, but - it latches onto the man and the handler is yanking it about ?! Why ?!

No commands, it's just latched on and that's it

Because it's being taught to attack, but not to release! It's in the Czech Republic I think, and they train a lot of dogs for 'personal protection'.

I've no problem with man work in a sport, but I really don't like personal protection dog training.

I love schutzhund and working dogs and something i fully intend to do in a few years when we have an appropriate breed

I do not think staffies should be used it man work, it's not in their nature but they should always be taught the release command

ella wrote:
I do not think staffies should be used it man work, it's not in their nature but they should always be taught the release command

I agree with you.

You've probably heard the story, but many years ago one of the early breeders of the Stafford had a very friendly argument with a dog trainer from the RAF. The trainer said he couldn't teach this guy's stafford to do man work - he wasn't intelligent enough. So, the guy agreed to have a go.

They spent hour after hour trying to get this stafford to bite the trainer's padded arm, but nothing doing! Just as they were both about to give up (and the breeder lose his bet) the stafford responded, leapt & bit the trainer's arm but then immediately dropped to the ground & went back to his owner as if to say "Well, it was against my better judgement, but I did it for you - happy now?" He won his bet!

yer i've heard it before Caryll

definitely not in a staffs nature!

I get it , don't agree with it but for a lot of the vid it is like he is trying to calm the dog to get him to release and pulling the dog back to get him to release but he's not having any . I would be much more impressed if that was just a series of attack and release.

Saying that I would never be condoning that with a staff, it's bad enough concincing joe public that the kids are good to start with

Yeah I definitely agree with the general vibe of this not being suitable work for a staff. Gringo is so friendly with new people, I just can't imagine why anyone would want to change the staff's natural instinct of an overwhelming friendly attitude towards humans, into more of an aggressive one. To each their own though I suppose, as long as the dog is cared for.

Creeps me out. Feels a bit weird in the same way as a porno and I hate it.

anyone else notice the staff never stopped wagging it's tail?

Unlike most dogs who do man work who are focused on the 'job' the staff was still as waggy as ever!

Yes I did Ella! It was obviously just a huge game for the doggy!

I'm not saying the dog didn't enjoy it, or that it was being mistreated in any way. He was obviously very healthy, loved his owner & was having a thoroughly good time!

But no dog should be taught to attack until he has an immediate release.

Caryll wrote:I'm not saying the dog didn't enjoy it, or that it was being mistreated in any way. He was obviously very healthy, loved his owner & was having a thoroughly good time!

But no dog should be taught to attack until he has an immediate release.

definitely the staff clearly was just having 'fun'

but they should alllllways be taught the release

I don't personally think this should be on the site.

I'd like to do Working Trials with Bailey and Sierra when she's a bit older but as has been said, I'd have been more impressed with the video if it was bite and release instead of bite and hold!

its seems like a bit of work in progress to me. the dog is still seing it as fun rather than work.
throughout, its wagging its tail so its nothing more than a giant game of tug, the fact that the tuggy toy is a human leg is neither here or there as no pain responce has been given. im sure if it thought it was hurting it would have let go long before it did but it knows it isnt doing any harm.
tbh staffs arnt the best dogs for this type of thing as they are so excitable. gsd and danish shepherd dogs excell as they have a very strong lean to one person while staffs will greet anyone as a long lost friend which make em hard to train in this feild