This area of the website is devoted to pictures and explanations for them in the development of the young Bouvier in various venues.  We hope to be able to present training progressions in obedience, tracking, the protection sports, herding, etc.

French Ringsport

Thanks to Evelyn Noonan, Sunny DeYoung and Julia Byrnes for allowing NAWBA to use pictures of their dogs in training for Ring.

	Learning targeting skills for French Ringsport.     Some trainers feel that allowing the dog to develop targeting where it comes most naturally gives the dog more options in high level ring work.
	The Defense of Handler begins with the dog in heel position.
	Learning the defense of handler for French Ringsport.   In these pictures Una and Nico have been taught to walk backwards so that as the handler goes forward, they remain vigilant to the decoy.  The decoy will give the dog a reward (either a bite on the suit or a tug, depending on where the dog is in training) after a few - to many - steps where the dog has shown vigilance, has not bitten the reward inappropriately, and has remained in the correct position as determined by both the handler and decoy.
	Every Ringsport biting exercise begins with the dog at the 'line of departure.'  The dog must remain in the position until the handler gives him the command to engage the decoy.
The flee attack
The flee attack	This exercise demonstrates the 'flee' attack where the decoy runs away and the dog catches him from behind.
	Here the decoy is showing the dog that he must go through or past the baton to bite the suit.
	The "Positions"  are Sit, Down and Stand.   The dog is penalized for moving; the line drawn on the ground gives the dog a visual guide for where to stay - and the judge a reference point from which to deduct points if the dog moves.
	This is the hurdle at an advanced level.  The dog is showing excellent form and will land, turn and face the hurdle for a return jump.  He must wait until commanded to return and then must return to within one meter of the handler.
	To begin jumping, one can set up homemade jumps so that the dog will jump cleanly, not stepping in the middle of the jump.  On the top is the beginning of the long jump with a young dog.  The two bottom pictures show a young dog progressing with this exercise.
	A young dog being worked in 'prey.'  The decoy will allow the youngster to 'win' the tug.
	An excited youngster - usually young dogs are started using a harness such as this.  It is easier on the puppy's neck than a collar while still supplying an emotional connection and support from the handler.
	The jambiere or leg sleeve is used here along with the rattle stick - or 'baton' - The jambiere can be 'slipped' off so that the young dog can have the feeling of reward and success as he carries it away.
	This young dog is carrying the jambiere off the field after 'winning' it from the decoy.
	Bouviers will often show 'fight drive' as in this picture.
	To help with targeting, these leg cuffs can be used.  Traditionally, French Ringsport dogs are taught to bite below the knee.
	Young Bouviers can begin to understand biting by using a jambiere.
	Playing with a puppy sleeve (on a leash so you have control of the action) is a great way to play with the pup while assessing his bite quality and willingness to engage YOU in the activity. As you can see here, the puppy sleeve is in control of the handler.  The puppy will be encouraged to bring the sleeve back to the handler for more play.
	In 2005, at the NAWBA Championships in North Carolina, Mr. Claude LeFranc was asked: "What do you look for in a French Ringsport puppy prospect?"  His answer: "A puppy who can bite."  The question was asked again: "And what else do you look for?"  His reply: "A puppy who can bite. Bite and bite and bite.  Without the bite, you can not do French Ringsport."

Schutzhund

Thanks to Julia Head and Mark DeCarlo for allowing NAWBA to use pictures of their dogs in training for Schutzhund.

	Kimba is learning to "out" from the helper in this picture.
	Cyrano is learning how to do the escape for Schutzhund.  The dog is placed about 5 steps away from the decoy in a sit or down facing the same way as the decoy.  When the decoy "escapes", the dog stops the escape with a bite on the sleeve.

Herding

Thanks to Kathy Heilenman for allowing NAWBA to use pictures of her dog in training for stockwork.

	SophieRose moving sheep past the panel.
	SophieRose moving sheep along the fenceline.