Alright I've searched the boards and watched the video tons of times and I'm still a little confused.
My guy is 9 months old and I taught the out way long ago by kinda pushing his lip into his teeth. He's always been very good at it. Drops things everytime. Just thought I'd throw this background out there as I've read it may have something to do with it.
My Problem: When doing the running in a circle he mouths like crazy (more with the tug than the ball). When he's in my arms he holds the ball still (mostly the string), but will regularly chew the tug. (I end up using each toy cause the string regularly comes out of the ball...I'm soon buying an orbee ball). But he never drops or looses the toy completely enough that I can rip it out of his grip. EVERYTIME I try he grabs a hold of it before I can rip it out. And most of the time his grips are kind of like only on the right half of his mouth or something, while the others are full mouth.
My Question: Is there anything I can do? Should I just give it more time (we've only been at it 3 days)? Take him into my arms more? Should I play tug when he mouths while running? (this only seems to make it worse though, and I've tried running faster).
I just feel like his drive is good already and improving, but his mouthiness really bugs me. Since I've never gone through this process before I don't know if what I'm doing is working or if there is a reason it's like this.
Sometimes the mouthiness comes from not getting solid full mouth grips as a puppy,so he may have formed a bad habit. He has to learn he will only win the tug if he bites full, so you need to concentrate on him geeting a good grip on the tug first time if he is getting shallow grips and you pull it away all the time this will make him mouthy,(anxiety of losing the prey) some dogs also have genetically weak grip, not sure without seeing him work, he needs to get a rebite if the first is shallow, do not let him win, until he rebites correctly hold onto the tug until he has corrected the bite then release.He could also be under pressure, are you working him alone or with a helper? Perhaps slow down a little males are slower <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Hormones also start kicking in around this time. Although they don't have seasons like females, they can start acting up.So off with the pressure for a while.
Quote:My Question: Is there anything I can do? Should I just give it more time (we've only been at it 3 days)?
What? and your not done yet? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
Seriously though, watch the video a few more times and pause/write down the answers, I saw a section on what you are talking about. 3 days is weak man, you are just starting! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
I have a related problem. I am not a serious dog trainer at all, my GSD is a pet, but he has good ball drive, and I use the ball to enhance his obedience. I work with him every day for his pleasure and mine. Even though we are unlikely to compete, he loves the training we have done so far and therefore I want to be able to take it further. I have the Drive and focus DVD, and an Orbee ball. I know that I have made a mistake in the training sequence, and would like to step back and increase his grip.
He LOVES the ball and has decent prey drive, but we have gotten into the habit of playing fetch, and I think that has made him more mouthy then he would have been otherwise, especially as he nears me. In order to play fetch, I taught him to out, probably too soon. He comes into my arms well, and grips better as I stroke him. If he still mouths the ball, I place my hand on the top of his head/muzzle, as in the DVD, and he calms down immediately. He almost never drops the ball, but releases it into my hand. He is also noticeably more mouthy if another dog is about. I always have him carry the ball home after a session.
The question is, should I get a tug for drive and grip training and use the ball to play fetch, as a reward after training, or go back to drive and grip training with the ball. If so, can I still play fetch with him afterwards without confusing him? Also, which tug? He is 21 mo and his head and jaw are quite large.
Once I start my pup on foundation bite work we start with a leather flap on a line, and move on to a tug,I would not use the ball in the bitework sequence, I use the ball/Food for obedience/reward only.The answer is "yes" I would get the tug for the grip training.
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