I have no experience in the ring sports. My question is why does the dog always bite with it's head to the outside on a leg bite?

Thanks


Edited by Matthew Thurston (07/26/2010 11:16 AM)
Edit reason: spelling error

Do they really!!!?????
I'll have to pay more attention to that. See if it's true.

Hmmm, if so. Maybe line of sight?
Or perhaps turning the head and eyes away from the danger of being hit. As in something left over from the past predator life, ala flying hoofs or deadly antlers?

Don't know, it's an interesting question.

Seems to me every video I've seen and even some of M.E.'s videos on this site the dog is gripping with head to the outside. I think this is the way they are trained rather than instinct. Again I don't really know.

This targeting is trained.

Thats what I thought, but why head out vs. head in?

With that kind of positioning, it would be more difficult for the decoy to, by moving his leg around, twist the dog off the bite.

...as I understand it.



Nice looking hound, Matthew.

I can see where it'd be a stronger position for the dog. But does it need to be taught? I'd think it'd be more instinctive then a learned exercise.

 Quote: Sal LoGrande

With that kind of positioning, it would be more difficult for the decoy to, by moving his leg around, twist the dog off the bite.

...as I understand it.



Nice looking hound, Matthew.

How so I wonder? And thanks thats his 6month pic.

It is taught as a targeted bite. Started with a tug held horizontal, and gradually moved to vertical strikes by the legs.

Easy to demonstrate the "How so?". See if I can type an explanation.
Decoy standing neutral. Dog bites leg with head orientated inside. Decoy tries to get away from dog. As a bi-ped, if he moves leg inward and crosses body, puts himself in bad body mechanics position (off balance and unstable) though better for dog (head goes back to natural/horizontal). If deccoy moves leg outward (and stepping), puts bi-ped in stronger body mechanics position, but puts dog in bad position (head twisting 180deg around neck). Not working for dog, releases/ regrips, decoy escapes (even a half step), steals points from dog.
However, dog bites leg oriented outward. Decoy moves leg inward, still bad. Decoy moves leg/steps outward, better for decoy... and much better for dog! Not going to twist him off today.

Also, just remembered. From guarding from down and "headbutt" transport positions, when dog bites, the action is one of turning his head into the leg (to orient the bite), as opposed to (the chance of) twisting into the bite (slower and bad body position).

Not necessarily instictual. Dogs need to learn how to target their bites.

Hope that all made sense.

Clear as a bell. I am a very visual person but the explanation you have given makes sense in my mind as I had an idea of somthing along those line. I've never taken any leg bites or I suppose the reason would have been clear.