Hi everyone -

I've searched the site and have also looked at other sites and I still cannot seem to find a good way to teach the aus/out command. My GSD is 5 1/2 months old and does not want to let go of anything he has bitten like shoes, slippers, or other items. He has a very powerful bite and is very hard for me to pry his mouth open. I've used treats to entice him and that works sometimes but he has this one toy that he LOVES and will not release at all.

What are the first steps to teaching this command properly? He listens to other commands pretty well but still has a long ways to go because he is still not consistently obeying commands.

thanks in advance for any suggestions and advice...

Using a tug toy, fire him up with teasing movement, let him hit it, play.
When you stop moving it, that is, when the prey item becomes dead he'll open his mouth...as he does you mark it with Ous or Out. Praise.

Holding it still against you thighs to have it be dead is the tricky part. But he'll learn the game won't start again unless he gives it up, usually pretty quickly.

Once you get this game going, that prey drive ramps at the site of that toy/tug/ball on a string and biting it becomes the reward for everything, all commands. You'll be amazed at how quick a command is executed after a bit of playing, a bit of teasing, and then you give a command. If he expects he'll soon be released to hit it again.

But the OUT is primary. Can't play with it if he's already got it! That toy is your's, only comes out for short training session. Always end on a success, before he's spent. Leave him wanting more, makes the next session better.

@ 5 1/2 months, be sure all his baby teeth are gone/ adult teeth in before playing tug. Last thing you want is pain.

Yes he was teething at the beginning of the 5th month. maybe i should hold off for another week just in case although it seems like all of his baby teeth are now gone.

Just so I understand you correctly, I should have a kong or similar prey item and tease him with it and then let him bite it. Once bitten, play by tugging and whatnot. Then after a short time, hold it still until he opens his mouth?

I will give this a try and report back. I tried holding it still before but I guess I didn't hold it still long enough. Thanks for the info. I'm excited to try it out.

What are your plans for this pup?
The teaching of the out changes dramatically depending on the intended future work of the dog.

We plan on training the pup as a protection dog and possibly Schutzhund. Our pup is a pure working dog and has very high drive.

Don't teach the out at this age, then.
You'll only encourage poor bites.

Trade for something else. Always have a second tug/ball/toy present to entice the dog away.

Frankly, too many folks get WAY too caught up in making the dog let go, too early.

OUT is a ridiculously easy command to teach. Fixing lousy grips/chewy bites is a pain to do.
Too much OUT in a young pup also has a funny way of resurfacing as dirty behavior in the blind as an older dog, due to all the handler conflict you created in the young dog.

Leave the OUT alone.

Instead, keep the tug on a long line. When the pup strikes nicely and holds firmly (and perhaps even gives a nice little counter) let the line go slack, and encourage the pup to circle and carry.

Generally a young pup will lose interest after the first circle or two and drop the tug, whereupon you can bring it back to life via the long line and re-engage the pup.

If the pup doesn't drop the tug, who cares? Just reininiate the tugging with it already in his mouth.

Teach him "into my arms" and "carry" and you can begin promoting a nice calm grip that will last him his entire life.
Teach him OUT, and you can begin promoting handler conflict and chewy grips.

Point taken. We started his bite training at about 12 weeks and his bite and grip are great so far. He takes the prey in with his entire mouth and holds it there. He even pulls very hard and will hold it in his mouth for what seems to be a very long time. Do I just wait it out after I let him walk with it for a bit? Should I stand still while holding the line until he drops it and not let him lay down with it?

When you release the toy and let him run with it, run with him in a wide circle.
Do not let him lay down with the prey, drop it or otherwise molest it. If he stops moving, encourage him to come into your arms and quietly hold the prey. Once he is holding calmly and firmly while you stroke him, grab the prey again and reinitiate the game.

If he drops it, snap the item away using the long line, and reinitiate the game.


To end the session, toss a ball or other "free" item for him to chase, so that you may put his "work toys" away.

Have you considered the "Building Drive and Focus with Bernhard Flinks" DVD?

I will try this later this evening. In the past, I have let him lay down with it and i'm sure that was a bad idea. Thanks for these great tips!

I have been thinking about getting that DVD, but it is $65 and money is a bit tight right now. I wish it was a bit cheaper. Is this something you definitely recommend?

Vince - the video Alyssa speaks of is a must have for those that are serious about being able to understand what builds drive and focus in a dog and then HOW to go about doing it.

It's an excellent video and is highly recommended. If cash is tight right now, you can always begin to save for it and ask questions here on the forum until you get it. But, if your intentions are what you say they are for the dog then I wouldn't wait to get the video. Even if some of it is above the dogs head at this point - it doesn't matter - as it will fill your head with necessary information that you can use when you are ready.