[BostonRott]

First, the B&H should never be taught in the blind. Secondly, if the dog needs to be pumped up, then he doesn't understand the game. The decoy should do NOTHING, the dog needs to initiate the game with barking. NO barking = no bite. Whips, banging on the dogs ribs, etc.......crap in my opinion. And you're right, there shouldn't be a verbal cue.

Froli knew from the time she was a young puppy that if she barked, she got what she wanted. I will never forget the day that I was upstairs and heard very loud, insistant barking downstairs. I came down to find Froli sitting, barking up at the mantle (over the fireplace) very intensely. I had left a few pieces of cheese up there from some earlier obedience work. She was 5 months old and KNEW how to initiate the game. Puppies can easily be taught to bark for toys, balls, tugs, etc. It easily transfers later to the bark & hold.

Another point: I hate dogs that bark at the sleeve. I want to see the dog up over the sleeve, making hard eye contact with the helper. I want to see a dog who will B/H a helper with no sleeve.

Bernhard Flinks makes an interesting point: why should a dog bark in prey? How does barking at rabbits make them easier to catch??