OK, now my concern. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> My bitch GSD will not BARK when working in PREY. She becomes focused on the prey item. Her bite is solid and the helper can not get her off the tug.(swinging her around off the ground and trying to shake her off)

I don't want to teach her to "Speak" when told too. I would like her to bark at the helper, but would prefer her working in Defense.

LOOKING FOR SOME FEEDBACK!!

Butch,

I would use a shaping technique. Get the dog as frustrated as possible and if she makes any noise, reward with a bite. Then progressively increase the requirement until she barks, then multiple barks to get the bite. It sounds like it will take longer than it does. If the dog has a good desire for the bite they tend to figure it out fairly quickly.

Butch,

I have a puppy like yours--took a long time to get that first bark out of her, after that it progressed rather quickly, using the same method Richard described. But what do you mean by “I would like her to bark at the helper, but would prefer her working in Defense”? How old is your bitch?

Renee, Fanni is 14 months old. She will bark if any one comes near her outdoor kennel, will not bark inside of her crate. I don't think she feels threatened, so no bark. Even when barking outside it's more of a welcome bark. I know the difference, as she lite up on a co-worker the other morning. I had him challange her and she tried harder to get to him.

When working in prey I think she's enjoying it as a game thus not threatened.

Steve C. told me that I should make her bark for any and everything. This has not worked as of today. He has worked a few times on a tug doing prey work.

Dennis Halsey posted;
Prey lock/focus they don't bark.
This sounds like Fanni.

Thnaks,

Are you using 2 blinds with the helper going back and forth? Are you using a blind at All? Or is the helper just out infront of the dog trying to get the dog to bark with prey movement. If the dog hasnt barked and has still been successful in getting the bite eventually anyway then I would change the training like this,,, I would go some where else to train. I wouldnt even let the dog know we were doing bite work. Id have the helper hide and you be hanging out with the dog and have the helper do some things to get the dogs (create suspicion) attention( without giving himself away) and when the dog barks have the helper move across the open to a new hiding place so the dog will continue barking and when the dog keeps barking have the helper move in for a bite.I dont know if Im able to explain myself very well but my point is the dog is familiar with the training so create a scenario to where the dog doesnt know it is in a training session and probably the dog will bark and learn that it can move the helper around with its bark and can even bring the helper all the way in for the bite or the helper can do an escape and send the dog.Of course dont let the dog see the helper before hand or it might know what is up.

Butch,

She is just a puppy. What are you training her for, anyway? If it’s SchH, then what Richard said will work, if it’s PP, it will probably work too, but I’m not an expert on PP—I’m sure Richard can help you with that. As far as training in defense, she is too young for that and it may not even be necessary. There was a great post by Kevin S. on this subject at:
http://www.leerburg.com/cgi-bin/UBB/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=000118

I don’t know who Steve C. is and what he actually said, but why the heck would you want her to bark “for any and everything” ? I also would not use your co-workers to elicit defense from her. I would rather not do bitework at all if I didn’t have experienced helpers, especially with young dogs. Sounds like you have a great puppy, why confuse her?

I am assuming you are already doing what Richard said to do and it hasnt been working and you are looking for something else to try.

David, we are working her in an open area with the helper.

We've started using a harness as to keep her from choking herslf when trying to get to the tug. It hasn't helped with the bark but she has been more intense on the the tug. Her bite and grip are good( no mouthing, very seldom needs to rebite, has a full bite)

Just came from back from trying to frustrate her and get her to bark. Still no sucess. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

What Steve C. said was to try and make her bark for her food or treats, no bark no treat/food.

Tonight she had no interest in any prey activity. :rolleyes:

I'll see what happens in the morning.

Thanks,

OK, so she isnt on a sleeve? Are you using the sleeve as a prey item yet? What I described earlier is more for a dog on the sleeve. Still if what you are doing hasnt been working you need to change it some how.I would suggest getting a portable blind, 2 would be better but one would be better than none. Have the helper build the prey drive and let her get it and the next time have the helper build it and dissapear behind the blind and from there do some things like peak out, make noises, run out and back in real quick, or run to the next blind. Of course when she barks the game is on again and she gets the bite quick.

Thanks, I'll talk with our helper and see if this has better results. I'll give you some feedback.