PRIMAL CANINE DECOY CAMP

January 14–16, 2027

BUILD BETTER DOGS. DEVELOP BETTER DECOYS.

Join Primal Canine for three days of in-depth education, hands-on training, and practical application focused on our approach to developing working dogs and more capable, knowledgeable decoys.

From building puppies and beginner dogs to applying advanced techniques in sport and civil protection work, this camp is designed to break down the theories, mechanics, and decision-making behind effective dog development.

Our focus goes beyond teaching exercises. We want participants to understand what they're doing, why they're doing it, when to apply it, and when a different approach may be more appropriate.

Rather than teaching a cookie-cutter system, we'll share how we evaluate individual dogs, adapt our techniques, troubleshoot challenges, and build the behaviors necessary to develop confident, capable working dogs.

What We'll Cover

Puppy & Beginner Dog Development

Building drive, developing grips, creating engagement, and establishing the foundations for future bitework.

Understanding & Developing Drives

Recognizing the drives we're working with, creating clarity within them, and understanding when, why, and why not to shift or channel between drives.

Building & Marking Behaviors

Developing clear communication, properly marking desired responses, reinforcing behaviors, and establishing consistency throughout bitework development.

Decoy Mechanics

Developing proper mechanics and understanding how to apply them to dogs at different stages of training, including positioning, movement, timing, and presentation.

Grip Development

Building quality grips, troubleshooting grip-related challenges, and understanding how decoy mechanics and training pictures influence a dog's development.

Equipment & Environmental Applications

Understanding when, why, and how to introduce different equipment and environments, along with the benefits and limitations of each.

Table Work

Breaking down the purpose of table work, when to incorporate it, what behaviors we're looking to develop, and how it fits into the progression of an individual dog.

Ground Work

Safely introducing and applying ground work, developing proper responses, and understanding its role in building more capable and confident dogs.

Sport & Civil Applications

Exploring the theory and practical applications behind developing dogs for sport and civil protection work, including where training concepts overlap and where approaches may differ.

Troubleshooting & Individual Development

Reading the dog in front of you, identifying developmental challenges, adjusting your approach, and understanding how to progress without relying on a rigid training formula.

These topics represent some of what we'll cover throughout the camp, with additional concepts and applications addressed during hands-on work.

Registration Options

Working Decoy Spot — $800

For participants looking to develop their understanding, mechanics, timing, and practical skills as a decoy.

This registration provides the opportunity to participate in hands-on decoy development, work through different training concepts, and gain a deeper understanding of our approach to building working dogs.

Working Dog Spot — $400

For handlers looking to bring their dogs for hands-on training and development.

Working dog spots provide an opportunity to address training goals, build on existing foundations, and work through concepts covered during the camp with attention to the individual dog's developmental needs.

Our Approach

At Primal Canine, we believe developing great working dogs requires more than simply following a series of exercises.

It requires understanding the dog, recognizing what drives its behavior, knowing how to communicate clearly, and making informed decisions throughout the training process.

We want decoys to understand more than how to present a bite. We want them to understand how their mechanics, timing, pressure, movement, and decisions influence the dog they're developing.

Three days of theory, practical application, troubleshooting, and hands-on learning.

BUILD BETTER DOGS. DEVELOP BETTER DECOYS.

Reserve your working spot and join us for Primal Canine Decoy Camp.