Sounds a little confusing at first. I have a 13 month old boxer who has been trained for obedience and some protection. I am working with him on the protection part. I understand that I really can only work with him on prey drive but the problem I am having is when grabs to tug. He'll tug while you tug if you let go he'll carry it for about 2 seconds and drop it. I have also notice when we tug with a ball and rope he will grab the rope but never the ball. I need help lol. Any ideas how to get him to use his whole mouth or to carry.
Will Rambeau Moderator Reg: 01-25-2003
Posts: 5983
Loc: Idaho
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Miguel,
We discussed the problems with holding and grip building a lot in different threads just recently - try using the search function here and go through those, they may answer your questions in a quick manner.
Since this is posted under the "Building Drive, Focus and Grip with Bernhard Flinks" forum, I'm assuming that you're viewed that particular video and are following that method....
I also have a boxer, he is about 7 months old and he is just beginning to develop a firm grip.
To my understanding, boxers jaws aren't finished developing until they are around 10 months or older...so don't rush it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> (oops---I thought you said 13 week)
Also--consider different prey items. My boy doesn't like the ball much at all but he's growing quite attached to his tug.
Last (and I hope someone with more experience can comment on this)---
I read an article at SchutzhundVillage.com--the author suggested using a HELPER in building prey drive.
The job of the helper would be to show interest in the prey item--so the dog becomes a little more interested in keeping it for himself.
I'm learning that any kind of dog training can't be rushed...especially when the trainer/handler is undergoing massive learning curves at the same time.
Tracy Brown Webboard User Reg: 12-20-2004
Posts: 381
Loc: Mississippi
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I had the same problem with my 11 month old GSD, not liking the ball as much as her tug. The way I change that was to attach the ball to a lounge (horse)whip. This gave me the ability to keep the ball low and moving fast and made Ava work for the ball. Which dove my pup insane. Within one week to 10,days she had a new favorite. But,you have to remember that every time your dog drops or spits the ball or tug out put him back in prey drive. I can't tell you how many times Ava drop it or had a loose grip. In FLink's tape,he says it may take 50 times for your dog to realize he must keep a firm grip to hold the prey item. I've been working Ava now for 4 to 5 weeks and the difference in her grip is like night and day. Flink's other tape preparing for handler can also help alot with your tug work.
What's interesting...and I'm glad I purchased the Foundations of Grip / Preparing for the helper...
The ball on the string isn't a necessary prey item. F.O.G. shows much of the work being done on the tug...good news for me.
Plus if you look really close on some of the videos, it appears that when using the ball on the string--quite a few of the dogs at the seminars target the string instead of the ball...
my doggy no like the ball, but he likes the tug. I like the tug too.
refering to the comment on the shutzhundvillage site and armin winkler's article, i would only suggest someone that has experience to to the helper work of building drive with your pup, otherwise it is not really that useful, some random person waving a rag, ball or tug in the air and 'playing' with your dog while you have it on a lead isnt going to build drive like an experienced helper will be able to do...good luck
btw, when your dog wins let him carry for a very short period like two or three steps and then 'into my arms'...
I also started the Drive, Grip and Focus work with my 15 month old bitch. She continues to target the string instead of the ball. I shortened the string a bit and she is now targeting the ball a little better but even if she grabs the ball and I put her into a carry, she mouths it right away and is back holding the string. What should I do in this situation? Should I only do carry and tug if she is gripping the ball or do I accept her carrying at the string and it will self-correct as we progress in training?
I like the tug a lot more than the ball on the string. I find the ball too quick, especially when
it starts whipping around at the end of the string. I think the dog targets better with a tug. A tug is a lot easier to control, you can grab it with both hands and get a lot more interaction with a tug. The main thing is what your dog likes. Do that thing where Bernhard lets the dog choose what he/she prefers. Have a ball on a string in one hand and a tug in the other and see where the dogs gaze follows?
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