CARLYLE - Just Fur Paws, located in Carlyle, offered a four-day course from April 3-6 about how to use a person’s dog for protection, thanks to the training of Charlie Randolph.
A South Carolina resident, Randolph is a world-renowned international dog trainer, who also teaches self-defense moves. He founded and owns Homeland K9 International and Total Canine Institute.
Randolph was in the U.S. Marine Corp for eight years and needed to be ready to go anywhere in the world within 72 hours, and he never knew how long he was going to be away from home.
He disliked being away from his family and decided it was time to stay closer to home and this is when he began his journey with teaching self-defence and canine training.
The first day of the course was called Lone Wolf Defence. This course was about looking after oneself in a difficult situation.
“In today's troubled world it is becoming more apparent that people know how to take care of themselves when in trouble,” said Randolph.
Ten people took part in the defense class and were taught simple yet direct moves to keep themselves safe.
“When going out to a bar in a group, you always leave with that group. No one is left behind,” said Randolph.
He explained it is more difficult for a criminal to attack a group than it is for a single person as the culprit is looking for that one single person.
If a person continues to be a problem at the bar, it is always best to try and get out of the situation. If that is not possible, a drink in the face can be a quick fix but not a long one. Now the person will have a glass in hand, and can be a weapon if needed.
Randolph explained it is very important to remain calm if a person sees they are being followed or if they are being attacked.
Often in movies they will show that a plastic bag is put over the victim’s head, and the victims grabs at their throat trying to get the bag off. All they have to do is rip the bag by their mouth. If a person panics, they may not think of this.
Another scenario is a culprit holds a gun to your head and tells you to get in their vehicle.
“Under no circumstances do you get in the vehicle,” said Randloph.
“If they plan to kill you, I would rather they kill me now so my family will have my body and will have closure,” he said. “If you get in the vehicle, they may rape you, torture you and then kill you and dump your body somewhere.”
Randloph went on to explain that an intruder means to cause harm to a person, and this is when the victim must pull out all the stops and defend oneself at all costs. It could be the difference between living or dying.
During the course, the students were shown how to do simple moves of defence, which they used on each other for practice. Randolph said it is important to practise these moves regularly with another person.
At the end of the day, all the participants received a diploma for their completion of the course, and they could ask questions afterwards.
The following three days were for the canines and their handlers. This was a course utilizing a person’s dog by working as a team to help with self defence.
Andrea McEwen, owner of Just Fur Paws, said this course was fun but intense.
They had 21 canines, 16 canine handlers and four auditors. Each day was filled with training ideas for the people. Some people had experience while others were hearing tips for the first time.
Over the course of the days, dogs are taught games and to go after tug toys. They are then taught control over the tugging toy and build commands on when to release.
They are taught how to be alert with a stranger but under the control of the handler.
Randloph, who dressed in protective gear, acted as stranger with the dogs to see how they responded and how the handlers controlled the dog.
McEwen said they went to Moose Mountain Leisure's compound in the dark and really saw how it was like at night, and it was a very cool element to experience. This was done with the experienced dogs.
Throughout the four days, McEwen was sure to show Randloph the hospitality of Carlyle by bringing in coffee from Michael’s Coffee Shop and donuts from the Carlyle Bakery.
Randloph was taken out for meals at the restaurants in town and shown around Carlyle.
“It truly was a great event, and the response I received from those that participated was great,” said McEwen.
McEwen hopes in the future to have Randolph return with his vast knowledge in the canine world.
