I watched the video again last night, and rather than just mindlessly trying to emulate what I see on the video, I'd like to actually *understand* more about the training.

"Into My Arms"
Is intended to build trust between the handler and the dog. It's bonding. When the dog thinks that the handler wants to take his prey item, it causes stress on the dog. Into My Arms is supposed to alleviate this stress...right?

When the dog is in your arms, you can do one of many things:
-Calm Praise
-Run the Dog
-Play Tug
-If dog isn't gripping hard enough you can pop the item out of his mouse and return to drive building
-On occasion you can make the dog OUT the prey item

If this all sounds correct to you...here is where I have the conflict.
-Playing tug. Do dogs LIKE and ENJOY this? Or do you think that the dog plays tug because he does not want to lose the prey item--and there is the potential for stress to the dog here and BREAKING the trust..because you're trying to steal his item.--In other words, is there a potential for conflict/bad blood by playing tug too often?

-Removing the prey item from dog who lacks firm grip: There's a portion on the video where a woman reaches OVER the dogs line of site before attempting to remove the prey item and the dog tightens his grip. I know this is undesireable--
When you execute this movement--is the dog aware that it is YOUR FAULT the prey item got away? Or is he supposed to think that the rabbit JUMPED out of his mouth unaided?

Last but not least--Progressing from Drive Building to Focusing. Is it detrimental to stay in the drive building phase too long before moving to focus?

Ken, you're *exactly right - the "into my arms" is intended to promote bonding and trust between your dog and you. And yep, it's function is to reduce the stress that the dog feels over possibly losing the prey item.

Dogs play "tug-o-war" between each other constantly, and it *is* a form of play that is common between all canines.
Letting the dog win the contest prevents conflict - see how that works?

You need to snatch the item away very quickly and without telegraphing your hand movement ( distracting the dog slightly helps here <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ). I always act surprised myself when it happens, and you'd be amazed how long it takes the dogs to catch on to it..

You can stay in drive phase for as long as the dog is still displaying drive for the item. Focus will come with maturity, so there's a big variation with different dogs, depending on their maturity level and age.

Thanks. I was just trying to think of it in terms of a *real* hunt.

Where if muttly actually caught the prey after chasing it, and another dog came and tried to tug it out of his mouth, how would he feel about it?

I'm glad I watched it again last night, my dog acts a little squirrely when I take him into my arms--he'd rather get the hell away from me. But I picked up on the part where Ed says that his dog did the same thing, so he worked on taking the dog into his arms frequently and in different places so the dog would learn it's a good thing.

Good stuff...looking forward to the next tape--should show up at my door at any time.