 Behaving Much Better...But Losing Interest in Tug?
#302203 - 11/08/2010 10:25 AM |
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Things are great in general w/Roger. He is learning our commands quite well and is doing the crucial ones almost 100% of the time (sit, come, leave-it, heel), but one thing is concerning me a little...he still chases the tug when I "flirt" it (for lack of a better term), but he doesn't bite and hold it anymore.
The tug toy was out of commission for a few days, because it was in the crate when he had one of only 3 accidents thus far...by the time I got it clean and dry, he seemed to lose interest in it. He was, at one point, going after it really hard and had a very firm grip. Now...he'll chase it and pounce, but no biting or tugging.
Might this be as simple as buying a new tug toy? Or do I need to be concerned that his bite drive was seriously disrupted, and take some more advanced measure to restore it?
My wife thought that perhaps it's part of the teething process, and that maybe it hurts him to tug the same way he did when he first came home. He's going on 5 months now.
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Re: Behaving Much Better...But Losing Interest in Tug?
[Re: Ross Rapoport ]
#302206 - 11/08/2010 10:50 AM |
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How old is he?
Has he is starting teething, stop tugging him. When their mouths are sore it hurts to tug and you don't want to turn him off from tugging.
If he is past the point of teething, you could try another toy, or you may have to up his drive. So tease him a bit longer to build the frustration and drive, then when he gets it, let him have it. Wait until he drops it, then the game goes again.
I guess another possibility is he may have a sore tooth, or something stuck between his teeth that is causing him pain.
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Re: Behaving Much Better...But Losing Interest in Tug?
[Re: Ross Rapoport ]
#302207 - 11/08/2010 11:05 AM |
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He's going on 5 months now.
That must be it. If his mouth is sore, that would probably explain why he's not chewing every single thing in sight at the moment.
When can I expect to start picking his teeth out of the carpet?
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Re: Behaving Much Better...But Losing Interest in Tug?
[Re: Ross Rapoport ]
#302209 - 11/08/2010 11:40 AM |
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He is still teething...most of the time they swallow them when eating.
If you have continued to play tug with the dog while he is teething it will create negative feelings for the dog about the tug. It will associate pain with tugging. For some dogs that is enough to turn them off to tugging etc for good & or destroy what may have been a good, deep, hard bite. Some dogs that are really hard tempermented & very high drive may not be as effected by this.
It is best to wait until all teething is done & work on OB & just playing & socialization at this time.
MY DOGS...MY RULES
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Re: Behaving Much Better...But Losing Interest in Tug?
[Re: Ross Rapoport ]
#302210 - 11/08/2010 11:40 AM |
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Sorry about missing the age...I have really got to learn to read the WHOLE post before replying 
Anyways, for now you can play with his tug just let him have it though when he gets it, so build drive, let him grab it and then let the tug go so he can just carry it around - or you can just give the tugging a break until he is done teething.
The only dog I ever found teeth from was my one husky x. all the others either ate them or did something sneaky with their teeth because I never found them. You'll know when your dog is ready to go again, because he will start to grab things and tug on his own. Until then, just exercise and some marker training.
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Re: Behaving Much Better...But Losing Interest in Tug?
[Re: Anne Jones ]
#302215 - 11/08/2010 12:41 PM |
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If you have continued to play tug with the dog while he is teething it will create negative feelings for the dog about the tug. It will associate pain with tugging. For some dogs that is enough to turn them off to tugging etc for good & or destroy what may have been a good, deep, hard bite. Some dogs that are really hard tempermented & very high drive may not be as effected by this.
It is best to wait until all teething is done & work on OB & just playing & socialization at this time.
I have certainly tried, but he's not biting, as they say. And he still chews certain things. Like the urethane or rubber bone that's attached to his leash. Or my shoes, or my wife's bras.
When he starts rolling on the floor so I can rub his belly etc., he always goes for my hands and chews them pretty hard. So it didn't immediately register that he might be experiencing some sensitivity.
Not sure how "hard" he is or how high-drive he is. I don't know enough Mals to compare. But I'm pretty sure he likes biting stuff enough that he'll go right back to it once he's able.
Thanks all.
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Re: Behaving Much Better...But Losing Interest in Tug?
[Re: Ross Rapoport ]
#302217 - 11/08/2010 12:47 PM |
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When can I expect to start picking his teeth out of the carpet?
ususally you'll find them while running to the bathroom in bare feet at 4 in the morning, any other time and he'll have swallowed them 
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Re: Behaving Much Better...But Losing Interest in Tug?
[Re: Jamie Craig ]
#302218 - 11/08/2010 01:15 PM |
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When can I expect to start picking his teeth out of the carpet?
ususally you'll find them while running to the bathroom in bare feet at 4 in the morning, any other time and he'll have swallowed them
I found one embedded in the leg of my antique coffee table once 
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Re: Behaving Much Better...But Losing Interest in Tug?
[Re: Kristel Smart ]
#302226 - 11/08/2010 02:19 PM |
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Take a peak in there in the evening when he's all sacked out. Part the gums and look.
Adult canine teeth should be there now or soon, 16 wks they usually push out the baby teeth. The carnassial tooth, the first big one behind the little premolars, a big 3 rooted cutting molar--see if it's in yet.
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Re: Behaving Much Better...But Losing Interest in Tug?
[Re: Betty Landercasp ]
#302234 - 11/08/2010 03:36 PM |
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Could it also be that there is a lingering odor to the tug that he may not like it anymore? I'd try a new one - doesn't hurt to have a few different types in any case ☺ !
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