Hi, I had Bella out training this week.I met a trainer whom I really liked and we worked my dog for a little while w/ some other trainers as well.

Anyway, at the end of the day , when all of the other trained dogs had finished doing bite work,I took Bella out for a try.She had never done this before.She had never seen a sleeve before at all.I have played w/ a ball w/ her, she has been on a back tie once about 6 mos. ago,and then she had played w/ the tug after biting it first.

She took to the bite work like she had done it for years!Anyway, I'm just curious now,as I think about it( I forgot to ask the trainer at that moment), why would he have been covering her eyes while she was clamped onto his arm? Also, he appeared to be grabbing under her jaw. Anyone know what that would be done for?

She didn't let go or try to regrip, and she held onto that sleeve each time she bit until he would slip it off and she carried it to me. I had a blast, it was a great experience for me to be finally getting started w/ some formal training.

Just wondering what was the purpose of the stuff I mentioned,thanks! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Hello ,hello,anybody out there???

Sorry, didn't see this one.

Both of these actions will stimulate the dog to bite harder, and hold on stronger. Both of these things, in combination with pulling against the dog while it is back tied or held by the handler will also function to firm up the grip and keep the dog from releasing prematurely.

Jeannette : how old is your dog ? wow to put the dog on the sleeve the first day is good ,but not normal . The helper may not of made eye contact due to pushing the dog into defense and wanting to keep the dog in prey drive . Sometimes holding of the muzzle area will calm the dog while holding the sleeve ,or grabbing the muzzle may cause more stimulation .Not sure how this was done on your dog .Was this done while the sleeve was on the helper or after he slipped it off. Peter

Thanks Richard, I feel better now!!

Peter, she is 2 1/2 years old. She has been OB trained,and has been on a back tie once. ( 6 mos ago) She just launched at the trainer,( when I let her go!) no holding back, LOTS of confidence. She did not loosen her grip as he did these things by her face, and he would let her have the sleeve to guard over after she stayed focused on biting.AS a matter of fact, we were in a park and an annoying lady w/a large poodle type mix kept coming right over near us while this was going on and Bella never even noticed it!! It was loose and running right next to her while she hung onto his arm!!I guess she was focused on her task at hand for once in her life!!!!This is very new for me, and I was pleased with her. Bella was pretty happy with herself too! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

The back tie was 6 mos ago.... the launching at the trainer was under direction at this training session. I thought it was worded funny once I posted it!!