POWER BITING

Power biting is a combination of training techniques which has

been systematically designed to enhance the overall gripping
behavior of the dog, while drastically reducing the risk of injury
to the dog as well as the decoy. These techniques can be applied
to Police service dogs, any of the biting sports, as well as
personal protection aggression training. Additional benefits
include but are not limited to the following: Enhanced grip
depth & pressure, eliminates transfer bites, handler &
environmental neutralization, enhanced speed of entry,
cardiovascular conditioning, reflex response to pressure and
improved targeting.

By utilizing the dog’s opposition reflex, ignited by heavy grade

bungee lines in conjunction with the decoy facing the dog and
driving backwards, we create an activation to drive deeper and
fuller into the bite. Through a rhythmic series of releasing and
reengaging tension of the bungee by the decoy, the dog’s
impulse becomes to drive forward. As this exercise progresses
through many repetitions, muscle memory will be instilled. Once
we have an anticipatory behavior, this will give the handler and
the decoy the opportunity to implement cues which trigger your
dogs’ conditioned response to bite deeper and fuller. This will
also trigger the dog to initiate a fight during chaotic settings
created by pressure from the decoy and the environment. For
example, methodically and non-intrusively being touched by a
stick, foot, hand, or any other environmental stressor can be
introduced just prior to the anticipated behavior of the dog
driving deeper into the bite. Over time, with consistency, what
we once knew as “pressure” will become an activation of drive
in your dog. As this technique advances, we gradually increase
the intensity of the decoy’s opposition and environmental
stressors. The utmost caution is given to each dog’s specific
needs and genetic capabilities to ensure positive learning occurs
with every session.

Decreasing Handler conflict: If you experience your dog trying

to avoid you, or other people around him as he’s being
approached while he’s engaged with the decoy or the
defendant, there is conflict between you and him. Whether it’s
obvious body postures, releasing his bite and repositioning to
avoid contact with you, shifting his line of sight from the
opposition or losing overall focus during any biting or barking
phases, this is problematic for several reasons. In the real
world, from a safety standpoint, re-biting allows the opportunity
for escape, the possibility of body fluid transfer from the
suspect to you during redirected aggression, as well as creating
an overall look of the dog being out of control and misbehaving
to a Judge and Jury. In the sport world these reactions of the
dog will result in the loss of crucial points. From behavioral
perspective, if your dog is in conflict with you, every area of
your training and results will be compromised. Your dog must be
neutralized to your presence. More importantly, he must feel
increased confidence, enhancing his fighting instinct
independently and while in close quarter combat with you.
Power biting reverses the psychology of your relationship with
your K-9 partner, developing a synergistic, team oriented theme
to violent encounters during criminal apprehension, as well as
guarding phases in sport work.
Implementing Power Biting into your training
program:
This technique is set up as a frontal bite, at a distance. We
utilize long, heavy grade bungee lines specifically designed for
aggression work in Dog training. The bungee is equipped with
heavy clasps on both ends. One for securing the dog and the
other allows the bungee to be affixed to permanent objects.
Using a bungee which has a gradual progression of tension is
ideal. This builds speed, desire and strength during the pursuit
prior to entry. This gradual progression is the most important
key in greatly reducing the risk of injury during impact. With the
bungee properly stretched and measured prior to being used, we
can calculate the exact point where the bite will take place,
resulting in zero impact. Over the last few years I have seen an
alarming number of dogs having neck, spinal, nerve and rear end
injuries, ending careers prematurely. It’s my personal opinion
this is being caused by far too many running hits, courage tests,
face attacks, flee and escape bites without the use of
restraining devices to absorb the dogs energy. The best decoys
on the planet can’t completely eliminate the force and violence
of impact generated by the dog. Superior genetics are producing
incredibly strong animals. Nutrition, supplementation,
cardiovascular conditioning and the progression of modern dog
training is putting our Canine athletes on another level of
performance. We must take steps to decrease the risk of injury.
I can tell you from my personal experience of catching dogs for
20 years, the bungee greatly reduces the risk of injury to the
helper, especially the long term wear and tear associated with
our craft.

ACLIMATING THE DOG TO THE BUNGEE

Dogs must learn to manage the resistance offered by the bungee
without excessive strain or creating a negative experience. To
ensure this, we hook into the dogs harness and walk him out to
the fullest extent of the bungee. By placing our hand on the top
strap of the harness, we restrict the bungee from recoiling,
maintaining the dogs position. The most affective technique is
to conduct a placement bite on the decoy. Once the fullest bite
is obtained, the handler releases the harness and allows the dog
to experience the full resistance of the bungee. The handler
takes a position of about 4-5 feet behind the dog with their
hands around the bungee but not with any pressure. They are
there to receive the dog should they release the grip
prematurely, stopping a violent whiplash effect. Once it is
determined the dog is effectively managing the bungee, we
begin to move him further and further away from the decoy,
allowing him to stretch the bungee with his own drive and
effort. Handlers will soon observe an increase in power and
dedication to the pursuit of the decoy.

PRONOUNCED GRIPPING BEHAVIOR

The true goal of “Power Biting” is increased depth, pressure and
fighting response while biting. As the dog is engaged on the bite,
with the bungee resistance maximized, the decoy stops fighting,
acts passively and decreases the resistance by moving towards
the dog and handler. The moment the bungee slacks, the
handler places their hand on the top strap or handle of the
harness and gently pushes the dog towards the sleeve or suit.
The intense opposition reflex felt from the bungee creates much
stronger grip pressure. The slight and quick release of the
tension, coupled with the forward push towards the biting
surface by the handler ignites the dog to bite fuller and deeper.
Immediately after the dog has increased his grip pressure and
depth, the decoy rewards this effort with cues the dog has
impressed him, injured him and caused more fight in which the
dog is always victorious. At the same time, the decoy
reactivates the tension of the bungee to maintain the grip. This
exercise is repeated many, many times until we have an
anticipated behavior of pronounced gripping. Once this is
obtained, through a learning design, we now have the luxury to
“name” this behavior, implement cues and triggers provoked by
the handler, the decoy and the environment. Once you’ve
employed this technique repetitiously, you will observe your dog
begin to drive deeper into the bite as you approach, before you
can even place your hands on him. Instead of the dog perceiving
you as the person who always removes him from the bite, he
will feel as though you assist him in the fight. Conflict is
eliminated and fighting instincts are increased.

CREATING TRIGGERS FOR POWER BITING

A command is a conditioned response to a known cue.
Therefore; your first cue is your voice. For example: just prior
to the anticipated behavior of power biting occurring we
introduce our bite command. Through muscle memory of the
dog and great timing the by the decoy, the desired response
occurs. Through repetition, the dog is conditioned to respond
with the best grip his genetics allows upon your command. Next
we add a “Tactile” command (a new signal) just prior to our
verbal command. This can be a padded stick held by the
handler. The padded stick can be introduced to the dog with a
very slight, single tap along the dog’s side just prior to the
command to bite, simultaneously with the power biting
technique. Again, through repetition this tactile signal will be a
conditioned response for maximized gripping behavior. The
intensity of the tactile signal can be increased over time which
will desensitize the dog to physical discomfort provided by a
violent suspect actively resisting arrest, or opposition from
competition decoy. The Ecollar can also be introduced as
another tactile signal for the dog to bite fuller. If a dog has been
introduced to the Ecollar the proper way in which he perceives
stim as positive through a low level Nick-Reward system, this
technique is very effective. The dog must not have conflict or
“baggage” with the Ecollar and understand how to shut the
collar off through learned behavior. The Ecollar is to be placed
on top of his neck, with the probes down. This position naturally
pushes the dog forward. The page or vibrate button is pushed
just prior to the anticipated behavior of the bite driving deeper
into the biting surface. Again, through good timing, coordination
and repetition this electronic signal will provoke the
aforementioned increased bite depth and pressure. As you can
imagine, having the luxury of increasing your K-9 partner’s
gripping behavior at a great distance is worth its weight in gold!

In closing, I hope you find this article informative and a valuable

addition to your training “tool box”. As with any written text
discussing a physical training technique, certain parts may be
open to interpretation or may be unclear. This is without a
doubt a technique that is much easier demonstrated on the
field, rather than it being explained by written words. It is a
technique that I utilize on a daily basis with my client dogs,
sport and patrol dogs. I’d enjoy the opportunity to share it with
you in person.