Controlled Aggression
145 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 237 ratingsWant to learn about K9 obedience, police dog training, learning theory and more? Jerry Bradshaw has been a sports competitor and police dog trainer for 25 years, and as the executive director of the Protection Sports Association he's been around the world competing and training K9s. Welcome to the Controlled Aggression podcast.
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Episodes
Ten Common Outing Mistakes
February 29, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 58.6 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Drills to teach your dog to give up something to get something. Utilizing multiple types of reinforcement to increase positive behaviors. Adjusting e-collar settings to change the type of pressure on the dog. Differences in different models of e-collars and how your dog may react to them. Pre-empting the mistakes that you can. Key Takeaways: A lot of common outing mistakes have to do with e-collars and the misuse of certain functions...
The Role of a Departmental Canine Trainer with John Kirk
January 04, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 68.7 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw and John Kirk discuss: The benefits of being both a handler and a trainer. Societal and departmental expectations of a canine unit in a large department. Creating good training files for handlers and canines. Utilizing all of your tools appropriately. Procedures, protocols, and manuals. Key Takeaways: As a trainer, if your hand is off the leash for too long, it does make a difference and both the dog and your trainees will know it. It is equal...
Upcoming Events in 2024!
January 03, 2024 08:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: All the seminars packed into the first quarter of 2024! The new handler-course-ready dogs from Tarheel Canine! Check out https://streetreadyk9.com/ for all the events on the calendar! Online training available Key Takeaways: Getting a handler-course-ready dog can save you time and manpower when looking for a new canine. Great seminars are coming up and include amazing trainers such as Aaron Kemp, Brad Gillespie, and so many more! For m...
Mechanics and Applications of Drive Capping
December 07, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 74.1 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Obedience and capping in drive. Leveraging reward systems and using queues in drive to prepare for capping. Utilizing different tools and training progressions to properly train drive. Drive training with different canines. Key Takeaways: Suppressing the dog’s behavior is not obedience or capping because it isn’t channeling their energy into something. We don’t want to suppress - this creates behaviors we do not want. Dogs that are d...
Preparing for PSA 1 Nationals 2023
October 19, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 94 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Developing training rituals that translate to travel and trial. Basic positions and notifying judges in basic position variations. What judges are looking for and the difference between minor errors and larger point losses. Why consistency, speed, directness, and attention matter during your trail. Key Takeaways: One of the first things the judge looks for is if your dog is coming onto the field in the right state of mind. As the handl...
Notes on K9 Certification - Patrol
September 14, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 76 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Understanding the flow channel to make your dog (and you as a trainer) better. How handlers and trainers decide the skills to prevent to the dogs at different skill levels. Exceeding the requirements of certification and organizational policy in your training. Training tools to make for a stronger dog in operational settings. Setting up building searches for different scenarios, not just bite situations. Key Takeaways: As the skill l...
Notes on K9 Certifications - Scentwork
September 07, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 67.1 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Things you need to know before starting certification. Having a training methodology that allows for compartmentalization, repetition, and isolation of skills if needed. Understanding rewards throughout and at the end of the track. Creating the behavior you want to create and working around distractions. Key Takeaways: Run your training for certifications like you would run a real scenario. Pay attention to all directions and informa...
Scientific Approach to Off-Leash Control
July 28, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 62.9 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Understanding learning theory, types of conditioning, and systems of training. Creating a habit so strong that it will hold up to distractions. Consistency takes knowledge, effort, and discipline. Having a picture in your mind of what is expected, and holding to that standard. Reward is what replicates the habit. Key Takeaways: If you are struggling with certification level performance, you need to consider reaching out to get some addit...
Defensive Dogs in Protection
July 27, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 69.3 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Having patience with your puppies. The three types of defensive dogs. How decoys can affect defense or prey. Identifying early signs of avoidance in your defensive dog. Tips for working the dog in defense properly. Key Takeaways: Once the dog’s foundation work is where you want it, then you can start adding in skills. Don’t rush the foundation work. All drives have intensity. The intensity will be completely dependent on your exper...
Tarheel Canine Police Dog Info
July 15, 2023 07:00 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBToday, Jerry answers your burning questions about the available police and civilian dogs and their training at Tarheel Canine. Tarheel provides trained, duel purpose, explosive, and narcotics dogs of various breeds. They also provide green dogs ready to be trained by your officers. Jerry also explains the different options for handler courses, selecting dogs, your personalized experiences, and the guarantees at Tarheel Canine. For more information email Jerry at JBradshaw@TarheelCanin...
Drive Suppression v Drive Capping
July 13, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 63.7 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Mistakes made that lead to suppression, avoidance behavior, anxiety, or hesitancy in your canine. Building thoughtful release behavior into the pressure. Training your dog how to sit when in drive. Rewarding the capping with something expressive, even if not a bite. Tips for training drive capping properly. Key Takeaways: Excitement, expressiveness, and forward movement aren’t wrong. But you want the dog to learn how to hold that excit...
Sport Culture for Pet Trainers
July 05, 2023 07:00 - 55 minutes - 50.5 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: The positive impact PSA and American Schutzhund have had on pet training. Creativity and innovation in training your dog. The objective standards of canine sports to create better dogs of all ages. Getting involved in the culture of canine sport. How sport can change the way you think about dogs. Key Takeaways: Being part of a canine sport club will allow you to have conversations with other dog owners who are also training their dogs...
Countering, Pushing & Pulsing Grips
June 30, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 56 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Bringing out the traits in your dog that are (or are not) genetically in them already. The difference between countering, pushing/pulling, and pulsing bite grips. Working with the dog and not creating an unstable grip through overwork. Actively teaching your dog when and how to counter, and how and when to fight out of a pressure trap using the different grips. Key Takeaways: Countering happens when dogs do not get the ideal strike and...
Setting Up Successful Training Sessions
April 27, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 48.1 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Teaching your dog lessons through action, feedback, and prevention. Understanding the queues that you are creating in your dog. Planning your training sessions in advance and understanding the variables. Preparing with the correct equipment and rewards for the training session you are heading into. The importance of evaluating your training sessions, and getting a second pair of eyes on the training and evaluation when possible. Key Ta...
PSA Rituals and Field Awareness
March 09, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 49.7 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: The secrets to success in both the training field and trial field. Why consistency matters. Benefits of having an engagement ritual and how it can help provide a reset for your canine. Variable reward systems and proper reward frequencies. Advocating for your dog and understanding what is supposed to happen on trial day. Key Takeaways: You want to have rituals for both you and your dog. If you do it correctly, the trial day is just a...
Building a Relationship with Communication & Emotion with Derek Beckelman
February 23, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 75.7 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw and Derek Beckelman discuss: Building a relationship of trust with your new dog, both pet and working. Being consistent with the rules with your dog. The emotional nature of dogs and handlers. The clash between attention and anticipation. Increasing the effectiveness of your communication with your dog. Key Takeaways: Using food, treats, or toys to motivate, especially in the early stages of building the relationship is not a bad thing. But...
Notes on Neutrality
February 09, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 60.8 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: The importance of neutrality in all aspects of dog training (not just obedience). Creating reflexes, capping at the right time, and building a powerful dog. Reversing reflex actions with desensitization - and doing it properly. Developing behaviors then pushing the threshold. Training neutrality at your PSA club. Key Takeaways: Create more neutrality than you need for the level that you are in. Capping is the first stage in creating...
Feedback, Confidence, & Corrections
January 05, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 57.1 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: The impact of the e-collar and social media on dog training. Making and molding behaviors. Variable reward schedules and recourse for non-compliance. Changing the problem to clarify the problem when there is a lack of understanding. Key Takeaways: You’re looking for about an 80-20 rule - with 80% compliance - you can look to start moving to the next training session and work on a different type of system to clean up the final 20%. ...
Simple Patrol K9 Scenarios
November 03, 2022 07:00 - 57 minutes - 39.4 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Setting up simple patrol scenarios to figure out what your dog needs to work on. Tracking, searching, and engaging in muzzle. Benefits and challenges of different types of scenarios. Key Takeaways: Your dog may need context cues if they are going into a scenario that looks like it may be something else. Throughout entire scenarios, your dog tells you information with their behavior and body language to tell you where it is even if the...
Brad Gillespie: Gunfire Training
October 26, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 44.4 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw and Brad Gillespie discuss: Typical reactions from dogs to gunfire. Understanding the operational requirement of the dog that you are working with to use the best technique for training. Minding your sequencing with training the gunfire training. Being mindful of canine audiology in inside and outside training with gunfire and other loud noises. Key Takeaways: Gunfire should be background, it should not be a queue to do anything for the dog. Y...
Observations on Control Commands: Drive Capping
October 20, 2022 07:00 - 50 minutes - 34.8 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: What drive capping is, what it means, and how it differs from pressuring the dog. The value in drive capping for police dogs. The importance of both the trainer and the decoy in drive capping training. Training prerequisites for drive capping. Key Takeaways: Training is a non-linear process. The further along you get, the more it changes up to direct the exact behaviors you want from the dog. When training drive capping, you ha...
Observations on Control Commands: Redirects, Recalls, and Out & Return
October 07, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 56.8 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Understanding the progressions between redirects, recalls, and outs and returns. Common mistakes made and how to correct them. Avoiding unwanted stress, pressure, anticipation, and preferences during your training. Repeated training and training more than what’s in certification only. Key Takeaways: Command discrimination is extremely important as it tells the dog what, exactly, you are wanting them to do. You want to set the...
Observations on Control Commands - Out
September 29, 2022 07:00 - 51 minutes - 47.3 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: How to get fluency in your outing with reward, not punishment. Beginning with the end in mind in your training. Training with e-collars and your dog. Command chains, variable reward, and understanding Pavlovian conditioning. Key Takeaways: You will not get fluency in your outing until you understand that repetition in out training with rewarding the dog for outing is what is going to get that fluency. There are complications when imp...
Building a Successful PSA Club
August 25, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 61.3 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Starting a successful PSA club in your area that is good and healthy for trainers and canines. Pros and cons of the two types of clubs you can run - democracy or top-down leadership. The role of training directors and decoys within a PSA club. Attending club, learning in seminars, following progressions, and learning from those who have had success in the sport you are pursuing. Key Takeaways: Any place where people get together and sh...
Holding a Standard of Behavior
August 04, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 49.7 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Knowing what an ideal behavior looks like when you’re working every stage of progression. Accountability and follow through. Short, medium, and long term goals in your organized training plan. Having proper technique and understanding reward structure for your dog. Key Takeaways: You must hold a consistent standard of behavior to show the dog that there is no wiggle room is what you expect from them. Allowing departures from what...
Is Your Training Too Operant?
June 16, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 116 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Classical versus operant conditioning. Recognizing and understanding the emotional states of your dog. How your emotions and confidence affect the emotional state of your dog. Understanding the classical effects of your operant conditioning. The magic in the emotions. Key Takeaways: Most dog training starts with operant work then folds in classical conditioning. When training with a dog, you are not working in laboratory condi...
Pat Stuart: Low Level Stim E-Collar Conditioning
April 22, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 86.6 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw and Pat Stuart discuss: Utilizing e-collars for more than just negative reinforcement. Understanding what low-level actually means with the e-collar. Creating learning phases and utilizing more than one tool in your training tool kit. Negative reinforcement and positive punishment. Activation in e-collar training. Key Takeaways: The level of e-collar stim needs to be at a level where it doesn’t derail the dog from what he was going to do an...
Dr. Jessalyn Klein: Dealing with Difficult People
April 07, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 80.5 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw and Dr. Jessalyn Klein discuss: Working with people with different personality types and different opinions. Successfully dealing with a know-it-all, a boundary pusher, and others. Setting expectations from the beginning. Giving necessary education and managing magical thinking. Using the DEAR MAN trick for dealing with people. Key Takeaways: As the trainer, be willing to throw the trainee a bone, but give them the big picture and show them...
Multiple Markers: Are they Necessary?
March 31, 2022 13:22 - 1 hour - 66.1 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Multiple markers for different reward types. The purpose of markers and when a marker may or may not be necessary. Types of markers and what they indicate to your dog (even if you didn’t intend for that behavior). Reward prediction error and reward preferences. Key Takeaways: With more rehearsal, the neurons that release dopamine activate on the expectation of reward, not when the reward is delivered. Markers create clarity in beha...
Primacy of Learning, Hunt Drive, Markers, and Advice for Young Trainers
March 17, 2022 07:05 - 57 minutes - 52.3 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Having a full, firm, and hard grip (which may not be calm). Developing a hunt drive in your dog. Working dogs on markers and having different types of markers. How to be an active learner and advice for young trainers. How primacy of learning applies to training. Key Takeaways: You want a bite suit to be as form fitting as possible to allow the dog to feel the person underneath while still giving protection to the decoy. Your ...
The Detection Blueprint
March 17, 2022 07:00 - 4 minutes - 4.02 MBIntroducing…The Detection Blueprint! If you have ever wanted to learn how to train canine detection from start to finish, you can join us for the three part series, The Detection Blueprint! Over this three part series, we're going to break down detection training and share knowledge, insights and tactics - tactics that I've learned over the last 25 years training working dogs. In 3, 2-hour long sessions, you will learn detection foundations, your detection process, and making your detection ...
Street Ready K9
March 10, 2022 08:00 - 9 minutes - 22.5 MBIntroducing…StreetReadyK9.com! On the brand new site, you will be able to see all upcoming seminars from Tarheel Canine, download all registration information necessary for the seminars, as well as use the portal to request information regarding hosting a seminar with little to no cost to you (no matter the size of your department). If you are looking for a seminar and some quality training Tarheel Canine Training can provide it for you! Go on to StreetReadyK9.com and look at the different o...
Heuristics of Reward and Punishment History
March 10, 2022 08:00 - 57 minutes - 53.2 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: What a heuristic is and how it applies to rewards and punishments. Allowing for mental development during your training. Training multiple commands for the same actions. Differences in training obedience and detection. Key Takeaways: Histories create biases. You also need to understand your dog’s temperament and how they are going to generalize behavior. You do not need to perfect the behavior you are training all at once. Allowi...
Attention, Direction & Draw
March 03, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 63.7 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Thinking about the end game from the beginning of your training. Creating neutrality through all kinds of distractions. Look at me, look at me while, look at that, and look at that while commands for your dog. Balancing draw to fight against drift. Key Takeaways: Attention is the dog’s anchor. Give them a point to focus on that allows them to be neutral to everything else around. You have to control a dog’s eyes to control their b...
Back Tie Basics
February 17, 2022 13:38 - 1 hour - 64.9 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Best practices and variations on utilizing a back tie. Appropriate, sturdy back ties on different surfaces and tables. How to decoy while using a back tie for many types of training. Balancing bringing the dog to the decoy, and the decoy to the dog. Key Takeaways: The longer the back tie, the bigger the circle is. This creates additional challenges with the dog possibly getting tangled. The back tie is adjustable based on your ne...
Ben Lepinski: Dog/Puppy Selection, Independence, Nerves, Recovery & Decoy Training
February 03, 2022 08:00In this episode, Jerry Bradshaw and Ben Lepinski discuss: Raising and training sport dogs and police dogs from a decoy perspective. Attributes that make for a good sport dog. Handling a dog in fear and avoidance (without creating a bigger problem in the fear period). Digging to the root of an issue and not just taking it at the surface level. Teaching the dog to solve problems on his own with proper progressions. Key Takeaways: When selecting a puppy, understand what you ...
Ben Lepinski: Dog/Puppy Selection, Independence, Nerves, Recovery & Decoy Training
February 03, 2022 08:00In this episode, Jerry Bradshaw and Ben Lepinski discuss: Raising and training sport dogs and police dogs from a decoy perspective. Attributes that make for a good sport dog. Handling a dog in fear and avoidance (without creating a bigger problem in the fear period). Digging to the root of an issue and not just taking it at the surface level. Teaching the dog to solve problems on his own with proper progressions. Key Takeaways: When selecting a puppy, understand what you ...
HRD: Hyper Aggressive & Hyper Passive Suspects
January 13, 2022 08:00 - 30 minutes - 28.3 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Handling hyper aggressive or hyper passive suspects on high risk deployments. Taking role play seriously in training to properly prepare for high risk scenarios. Component training for good scenario training. Backup neutrality and realistic role playing. Key Takeaways: There must be clear communication between the canine handler and the SWAT team with highly aggressive suspects. Your dog must be a well conditioned athlete to endur...
Hot Pursuits, Focus Drills, & K9 Engagements
December 30, 2021 08:00 - 55 minutes - 51.7 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Remediation through focus drills. Training door poppers with high communication and understanding. Patient handling to improve focus and targeting. Training in different conditions, such as night and day, and with different variables. Key Takeaways: Dogs have a wide field of vision. It is possible that the first thing your dog sees may be the first thing they fixate on. Your dog is not going to learn every single thing they need ...
Dr. Jessalyn Klein: You’re Great at Dogs but You Suck at People
December 23, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 70.4 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw and Dr. Jessalyn Klein discuss: Strategies for improving your people skills. The building blocks of emotional intelligence. The power in taking a pause. Asking for (and processing) feedback, open ended questions, and how to connect with those you’re working with. Key Takeaways: Emotional intelligence is the key to understanding people, including yourself. Self-awareness involves both taking the time to check in with yourself physically and e...
Human Focused Aggression for Police K9
December 09, 2021 08:00 - 59 minutes - 68.8 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Understanding the basic biting principles. Creating neutrality to the equipment and distractions. The importance of understanding civil work. Human focused confrontation solved through biting. Training progressions in civil and bite work. Key Takeaways: We want to teach the dogs in their basic foundation how they can win even when they get pushed into defense. Be more obsessed with the dog's mood and how he is dealing with...
Growing Your K9 Team
December 02, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 56.3 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Giving control and responsibility to your club members for their own progression. Balancing the top down control with the individual responsibility in your training clubs and business. Getting things done on time and not allowing perfection to be the enemy of good. Defiance in dogs. Key Takeaways: When growing a team, you have to remember that everyone on the team is an individual. Responsibility drives meaning. Let people make ...
PSA Nationals 2021
November 11, 2021 08:00 - 47 minutes - 44 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Details and schedule for PSA Nationals 2021! How to watch Nationals. Important information for both competitors and spectators. Key events and sponsors for Nationals. Key Takeaways: PSA Nationals is at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, NC on November 12-14, 2021 - admission is FREE! Sport Dogs Live will be live streaming the whole event for those who cannot make it in person. If you are not there for the handler’s meeting, you will...
Variable Reward Intervals - Soft Surface Tracking
November 04, 2021 07:00 - 47 minutes - 44.3 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: The differences between hard and soft surface tracking (see episode 53 for more on hard surface tracking). Advantages of soft surface tracking. Having multiple ways to reward a dog during tracking. The importance of variation and its relationship to hope. Key Takeaways: To start, begin in shorter grass. Taller grass will hold human scent more than short, manicured grass. Think of your track as a story with a beginning, middle, and...
Dumb Stuff I Saw Online Round 2
October 28, 2021 07:00 - 43 minutes - 40.8 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Training prey and defense training in your police dogs. Diversifying training with and without equipment. Avoiding sweeping generalizations in your training. Training in the four quadrants of operant conditioning. Key Takeaways: Muzzle biting is not the end all be all. While it can show you many things about your dog’s engagement, it does not guarantee a bite off the muzzle. A dog in conflict is going to choose life and is more l...
Dumb Stuff I Saw Online
September 09, 2021 07:00 - 58 minutes - 80.9 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Being suspect of always or never statements in training. The art of prey guarding. Laying your own tracks. The downsides to canine demos. Key Takeaways: By saying you never do defense work with puppies, you erase an entire section of training 2457 On any given track, you will have a combination of human odor and ground disturbance. How much of each will be different depending on the type of track. There can be benefits to layin...
PSA Trial Rituals
August 12, 2021 07:00 - 56 minutes - 78.7 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: What is involved in getting on the field and having a great performance. Creating the right mindset from a young age in your dog. Reading the important moments happening all the time. Mirroring your training ritual in your trial ritual. Key Takeaways: Expose your dog to new environments with new attractions and continue to practice your rituals. You can get additional time on field by utilizing long downs. Experiment with what...
Diagnosing Failed K9 Engagements
July 01, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour - 108 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: The key to creating a street ready dog with the highest probability of making an engagement. Equipment orientation and odor discrimination. Discrimination drills to show there is no value to the training equipment for the dog. Bridging from training to civil encounters to lead to engagement success. Key Takeaways: Visually, we need to make sure the dog can show aggression to the human form without the equipment, such as a bite suit o...
The Future of PSA
May 06, 2021 07:00 - 51 minutes - 71.8 MBIn this episode, Jerry, Erin, and Briella discuss: Learning and training PSA, even when you’re young. Different ways that you can train with toys and with food. Lessons learned from training a PSA dog. Inspiration and the future of PSA. Key Takeaways: Engaging with your dog is extremely important. When training at club, don’t compare yourself to other people. Just focus on what you’re doing and what your dog is doing. Dog training is a journey that you and your dog are ...
Pet Training Paradigms
April 22, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour - 103 MBIn this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: The drive model of canine behavior. Choosing your paradigm of how you look at any particular dog. The clarity of boundaries, the expression of drive, and balancing reward and compulsion. Understanding how paradigm and training fit together. Key Takeaways: The way in which you see dogs define your paradigm. You can apply working dog training paradigms to training pet dogs if you understand the paradigm. Drive neutrality is like m...