I believe I've created a bit of monster.

The Question:
How do I teach my puppy to carry his tug instead of treating it like a chew toy?

The Story:
I think I've rewarded Duke (7.5 mos. GSD) for using his tugs as chew toys. If I hold the handles/ends in my hands so he can only bite the middle he'll get frustrated and just stop playing until I give him some affection. I've started marking the kind of bite I want before letting go and he's getting the point but, when he runs off with the tug he drops it and goes right to the handle(s). I'd like to start dealing with this, if at all possible, before getting him into SchH in (hopefully) late July. He has a Dental Kong in his crate and you can see reference videos here of what he does (note, I've since stopped letting him go 30' off and keep him on a 6' leash instead).

Prey Items:
I just got a 4"x24" and a 1.5"x8" tug. Previously it was this (minus the ball) and this (that Duke literally destroyed in less than a week).

Thank you for your time.

edit:
I forgot to add that I also just scored a copy of Building Drive and Focus on eBay and it should be here tomorrow or Monday.

Keep him on a longline while playing tug with him. That way he can't run off with the tug & chew on it. After playing tug & when you are going to let him 'carry' the tug, take hold of the longline & let him out on the line a shot distance away from you & run him in a circle around you. Keep him runing in the circle. Bring him back in to you & grab the tug & begin playing tug with him again & then repeat the process of tuging, running & the tugging again. You can also bring him in next to you & stroke him slowly while he is holding the tug so he gets comfortable with you next to him while he is holding (not chewing) the tug then grab the tug & begin tugging with him again. Basically, dogs can only do one thing at a time....if you keep him busy 'carring' (holding & running) with the tug he won't be thinking about chewing it until you stop him at which point you grab the tug & start playing again. Try not to offer him the opportunity get away from you & to chew on the tug. I hope that I explained it so it makes sense. I haven't looked at the drive & focus dvd in a number of years but you will see how Bernhard does it, when you view the DVD on building drive. I am sure that others here will offer you their thoughts as, well.

do you train with a helper or is it just you that is playing with him (1 on 1)? if you have a helper anne is exactly correct.
have the helper play tug with him and once he bites, keep moving. DO NOT STOP! once you stop he will drop it and start trying to chew on it. now if it you and him, now it is a little harder. what I would suggest, is using a back tie. if at all possible, get a bungee and make something like a bungee cord so when he jumps its not like hitting a brick wall plus you can pull him out when he engages. If you dont have a bungee its ok, just us your leash and back tie him that way. play tug with him as normal but, HERE IS THE KEY, as soon as he puts it down you have to grab it from him. DONT LET HIM PUT IT DOWN AND CHEW.

having a helper is 1mil times better option though. hope this helps

Outstanding. Thanks, folks.

I see the error of my ways. I have been rewarding him for chewing on the tug after he wins. Oi!

Anne, so that's the "victory lap"? I've just been doing that all wrong, hahaha. I'll keep him on the 6' leash and moving after he wins.

Jason, no helper yet but, I'm hoping to get started with a club in about 4-5 weeks. I just want to try to work through this problem I've created as much as possible, to make the helper's job easier.

its not making the helpers job easier if you work through this problem. Really the helper has NOTHING to do with this. This is all handler work.

I would suggest not trying to wait to work through this problem, instead get the helper as soon as possible, that way you can use the "victory lap" in the way it is meant to be used. Having the helper will help stop this problem a lot quicker.

Also on a side note, when you start using the helper while you are doing your lap if the dog drops the tug, you kick it to the helper right away and the helper, SHOULD re-engage right away. dont let the dog regrip what so ever. You should never stop your lap for your dog at all.

Thank you, sir. I'm working on getting involved, but the finances have to catch back up first.

Hey Scott, which club are you going out to?

you have a really nice looking dog there. I have a couple of questions/suggestions.

i understand that this time pistol was on the backtie so you could video her, but is that guy always able to "decoy" your dog for you? if so, dont use that back tie and instead have him run the tug for you while you handle your dog. this way you can run the victory lap and keep her from chewing.

i heard you tell her "free" which gave her the command that she can chew. you are trying to stop a behavior but then told her that it was okay. IMO that is extremely counter productive. I would never let the dog chew on it. yo could be creating a bunch of problems and the handle would be the least of them.

I completely understand the money issue and waiting to catch up, believe me. I am in the military with 3 kids and a wife so if anybody can relate to money, it would be me lol.

 Quote: jason penwell

you have a really nice looking dog there. I have a couple of questions/suggestions.

i understand that this time pistol was on the backtie so you could video her, but is that guy always able to "decoy" your dog for you? if so, dont use that back tie and instead have him run the tug for you while you handle your dog. this way you can run the victory lap and keep her from chewing.

i heard you tell her "free" which gave her the command that she can chew. you are trying to stop a behavior but then told her that it was okay. IMO that is extremely counter productive. I would never let the dog chew on it. yo could be creating a bunch of problems and the handle would be the least of them.

I completely understand the money issue and waiting to catch up, believe me. I am in the military with 3 kids and a wife so if anybody can relate to money, it would be me lol.

That's just a video I found on YouTube with a helper that looks like he knows what he's doing. I'm somewhat trying to emulate what he's doing as far as the running in an arch, shaking the tug, hiding the tug, etc.. You can see my pup here: http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/242810/page/1#Post242810. I made a lot of mistakes in both videos.