 Prefers the handles over the actual tug ??
#239451 - 05/12/2009 08:22 AM |
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Hi folks,
Kaiser has been doing bite work for a couple months now. At first, when he had his puppy teeth, I used a home made tug made of rolled up dish towels and an rope attached.
This tug he would bite the tug and do what he was supposed to do.
The last 3 weeks after his teething has stopped, he graduated to a real tug. He bites it but seems to prefer the handles over the actual tug.
How do I get his to stop showing the preference to the handles and focus more on the actual tug?
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Re: Prefers the handles over the actual tug ??
[Re: Peter Marek ]
#239469 - 05/12/2009 11:59 AM |
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You could roll the handles up into your hands so he cant get them. Then maybe take it a little easy on the tugging, let him carry it more till he gets used to the feel.
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Re: Prefers the handles over the actual tug ??
[Re: steve strom ]
#239476 - 05/12/2009 12:43 PM |
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I've tried rolling the handles in my hands - as you could see from the shape my hands are on now - LOL.
That works for a little but as soon as I ease my grip and grab the handles so I can move this tug back and forth - he navigates to the exposed portion of the handle then clamps down.
I do let him carry and go into my arms with the tug regularly.
Maybe I just need to keep doing what I'm doing? Hiding the handles for a good portion of the play then grab the handles to tug, walk him around with it in his mouth, "into my arms", praise, let him have it and then at some point AUS and play again.
It's quite possible that I am expecting too much from him with a new tug.
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Re: Prefers the handles over the actual tug ??
[Re: Peter Marek ]
#239479 - 05/12/2009 01:16 PM |
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I am no expert, but I don’t think you want to have him targeting the handles, it may lead to problems down the road (just ask me about making mistakes and then "trying" to fix them, I do it all the time!). From what I have read and what I do is keep the grip in the middle of the tug, this will help when you transition to the sleeve. What I had to do on the sleeve to get the grip in the proper place is use cut up bleach bottle (it was something I read here somewhere) and tape in on the sleeve, they usually wont bite the plastic. It may work in your situation if you can make it work so you still have access to the handles. I am picturing it in my head and I think it would work with smaller size bottles.
Maybe this is bad advice and like I said I am no expert, hopefully others will chime in to. I just know I have to be real creative sometimes.
Good Luck and Have Fun!!
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Re: Prefers the handles over the actual tug ??
[Re: Scott Kapphahn ]
#239481 - 05/12/2009 01:39 PM |
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Duke was doing that after teething, too. Alyssa said that it's normal because the rope/handles are easier to get. Anytime he bites the rope it's like hitting the "reset" button on the game. The tug comes out and we start over. The following wins are always great for him, too. He'll run off a few steps after pulling the tug out of my hands and "kill" it by shaking the bejeebus out of it...then come back for more.
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Re: Prefers the handles over the actual tug ??
[Re: Scott Garrett ]
#239535 - 05/13/2009 07:18 AM |
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When presenting the tug, make sure to give the dog a straight target. I would also, wear gloves, and hide the handles in my hands. It also helps to hold the tug level with his topline.
Start short distances, and also give him a word that means he can grab the tug. Once he seems reliable then I would raise the tug and move with more energy.
Targeting is a learned activity, much like catching a football or
baseball. Lots of practice!
Happy Training,
Roni
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Re: Prefers the handles over the actual tug ??
[Re: Roni Hoff ]
#239544 - 05/13/2009 08:23 AM |
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Thanks for the good info.
Working with Kaiser is always FUN (even if it gets frustrating at times).
Yesterday after going home form work we did some OB, tracking, and tug/bite work. He only targeted the handles a couple times yesterday and I was actually able to lift him up for the first time while he was holding on!
I'll take the advice given here and keep working at it.
Thanks again.
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Re: Prefers the handles over the actual tug ??
[Re: Peter Marek ]
#239547 - 05/13/2009 08:39 AM |
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I m still not sure which tug you are using. Is it the leather one? Fleece? Jute? Synthetic???
The material might have something to do with it. My young male will bite a fire hose tug or leather tug, but goes for the handles also. My theory is that he prefers softer material. The leather is quite tough. He tugs stuffed animals with great joy. I am going to get him a fleece tug next and see if that fixes the problem. (My dog is 20 months so he is well past teething).
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Re: Prefers the handles over the actual tug ??
[Re: Angela Burrell ]
#239549 - 05/13/2009 09:01 AM |
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I actually have 2 tugs that I have been using.
One is a soft synthetic (jute like) tug and the other is a smaller (narrower) leather tug. Both have handles on both ends.
At this point, he prefers the larger softer one over the smaller more firm one but still tries for the handles (not so much last night).
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Re: Prefers the handles over the actual tug ??
[Re: Roni Hoff ]
#239553 - 05/13/2009 09:57 AM |
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When presenting the tug, make sure to give the dog a straight target. I would also, wear gloves, and hide the handles in my hands. It also helps to hold the tug level with his topline.
Start short distances, and also give him a word that means he can grab the tug. Once he seems reliable then I would raise the tug and move with more energy.
Targeting is a learned activity, much like catching a football or
baseball. Lots of practice!
Happy Training,
Roni
Great post.
Here's what we're working with, maybe it can help Peter too. http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/91SiZ6/pets/duke094.jpg I have my right hand farther towards the edge when presenting it to him. I use "get it" as the command and pull it out of his mouth just before his jaws close...suicide rabbit is my bane. For targeting, I'd do that a few times and then gently push it back into his mouth, in the middle of the tug, as he came in for it. Then make him work to win it. I don't know if that's outdated, but I'm all ears...well, he is anyway.
The tug I'm using is this one, with the tennis ball cut off: http://www.bamboopet.com/all_products/detail.php?ID=706900967&nID=2z5
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