Hello, I am a new member to this web page and a New Police k-9 handler. I am having an issue with my 15 month old K-9 German Shepherd during bite work. The problem is the canine "chatters" even after a full mouth bite, he will let go and then re-bite. This problem usually ends up with him biting toward the decoy's hand. This problem occurrs both on a sleave and on a bite suit. I am working with several trainers on the problem but as of yet not a lot of luck. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Not an expert by any means (former k9 officer for a narco dog, but decoyed) and I know there are a few really good K9 officers on here with way more experience, but when I was learning to decoy, I noticed I would cause re-bites sometimes because I allowed the dog to have all four feet on the ground. If I keep the front paws off of the ground and fighting, the dog didn't have an opportunity to re-bite.

We have tried this as well as quicker movements by the decoy... Initially there was success however now he will sometimes let go and then attempt to re-engage. I believe the problem started when we started working the out. It seems like he is affraid his reward is going to be taken from him and keeps trying to get a better hold on it. However thats just my opinion and since I am new at this I am not sure if I am correct.

When I was doing the out, I noticed myself going in on my dog, so when I got close to him without saying the command, he would let go thinking an out command was coming. Are you still working the out? The drive and focus DVD really helped me on this, I know your K9 is more advanced, but I've had to rethink and go back sometimes. Also check his teeth, you never know. I'm not an expert either.

Sgt Matt

Why do you allow him to bite again or Chatter on the Sleeve. Just pull him away from the Pakwerker, and make him Sit,
They will not allow any Dog to rebite or chatter on the Sleeve that is a Big No'No and its you who must stop him,
If a Dog is letting go of the sleeve too early they tell you not to give an 'OUT' Command, we say LOS'
Once the Dog has it in his mouth run round in a circle with the Dog Carrying the sleeve and let the Pakwerker get hold of the Sleeve as the Dog comes round he can then get the Dog to hold on to it longer, repeat again this sequence,
Do it for several training sessions and do not say the 'OUT' until he is Holding on firm to the Sleeve,
But never let them play around with it, Thats Taboo over here,
These Words are only from what happens over here and they are very accomplished trainers, In fact one is an International Schutzund Judge

Bare in mind, there is a difference in training between Schutzhund and police work.

Probably there is, but i cannot see how it will benifit Dog or handler if the Dog is Chewing at the decoy or sleeve, the above way will stop it,
If a dog has to catch a suspect then i would think a clean bite and hold, will benifit the dog and handler

First are you talking about after the decoy slipped the sleeve already? Or when the decoy is actively fighting the dog?

The best way i know to fix this is to back tie the dog get the decoy to agitate and move in and out of the dogs area and finely when the dog bites the sleeve the decoy should pull back so if the dog re-adjusts then he loses the bite. Thats at least how i have seen it fixed before.

You should be asking the guy who has the problem with his Dog. Once the dog bites unless the Handler tells it to Los, then the sleeve is still on the pakwerkers arm.
with a Dog Chewing on the sleeve whether it be on or off the Pakwerkers arm, it is simply not allowed to do it
If the pakwerker slips the sleeve, and the dog has a full grip the handler is as i said told to run or trot in a circle then bring the Dog still carrying the sleeve back to the Pakwerker or Decoy as you call him over there,
The Decoy will then get hold of the sleeve or slip it back on his arm and taunt the Dog so it will retain its grip without Chewing, the same happens again for about three goes
They also do this if a dog is prone to drop the sleeve before given the command to do so, They will not have a dog chew on the sleeve at any price as i said it cannot be allowed,
This is carried out with dogs who chew on the sleeve or drop it without command , It does not apply to Dogs who do not have any problems
and to stop this right away is too not allow the dog to do it but pulling it away and getting it to sit and then recommece again.
But to let it go on chewing and then to ask how to stop it makes no sense to me, it is an automatic thing to pull the dog away from it and stop it doing so
I tell you what they do over here , that i cannot change or say it is right or wrong what they do compared to you guys over there in the USA,
But i know at least two of them who tell us what is what are Judges in the Sport of Schutzund work and one Judges in the USA and Canada plus Netherlands and Germany, plus he is asked to go and train both Dogs and People in these Countries, Plus one of the two also helps the Belgian Police train there Dogs and has done so for many years.
So i take notice of what they tell me to do as they are the trainers of both our dogs and us
I am but relating to the fellow who has the problem what they do over here in Belgium in our Clubs

Thank you to all who posted responses to my question. Many of your suggestions are already being put in place by my trainers. I guess I posted here to help me understand what is going on and to get some tips from people who I wouldn't normally have access to. I have learned that in the dog world there are always varying opinions. I should clarify that the canine is never "allowed" to chew on the sleave on or off the decoy. He is immediately removed and if he releases he does not get to re-engage. We attempt to never repeat a bad excercise.

We are now going back to the basics of bite building. Chasing the decoy away, winning, slipping the sleave and runing with it in his mouth. We will also be tethering with a bungy. We have stopped working the out for now. I have had his teeth checked and everything is ok. My trainers have assured me that this is a bad habbit and can be corrected over time. From what I read here it seems that we are moving in the right direction. Again thank you for your help.