Quote: steve strom

For Cryin out loud,,,, Bite-WORK. WORK. Not playing tug with him.
What specifically would you like to get with Roger right now?

A tug my wife can use without getting ripped up.

Konnie, I ended up just calling them. As I suspected, my email was a bit too long for them to respond to adequately. I talked to Kristina, supposed to call Butch to set up an evaluation at one of the club meetings over a weekend.

As far as obedience or play, not which toy. If he's getting your hands instead of the tug, thats hopefully because of how your presenting it.

What are you struggling with in obedience, heeling?

A tug my wife can use without getting ripped up. end quote

Jeez, let's not start this again!
How about just a nice straight forward honest answer.

Here's my second piece of advice.
Just call LB and order their whole inventory.
Voila, no more tug worries.

 Quote: steve strom

As far as obedience or play, not which toy. If he's getting your hands instead of the tug, thats hopefully because of how your presenting it.

What are you struggling with in obedience, heeling?

Getting him to do stuff he already knows, or learn new commands, is the easy part. The hard part is the duration, and within the past few weeks distraction by people, animals, and blowing leaves has become a big issue.

He doesn't get my hands that often. He's ripping the wife and I up with his feet, so I want something bigger and more substantial so that he can paw at it to his heart's content while biting.

 Quote: Ross Rapoport

He's ripping the wife and I up with his feet, so I want something bigger and more substantial so that he can paw at it to his heart's content while biting.

This one. Nice and sturdy and hopefully would last you a while. Get one for the wife as well.

eta: ask them, LB will probably throw in the Tug DVD for free

Edited by Ana Kozlowsky (03/29/2011 04:26 PM)
Edit reason: eta

Ross,
Get the Micheal Ellis video. Buy several different tugs including a bite pillow. Get to a trainer/evaluator ASAP. Watch Ellis video and become educated about new ways of constructive tug games.
You'll find that your going to need all of this stuff at some point so why not be ahead of the game. Sport or not if your boy likes tug play then lets learn how to make that into something we can use.
Your new and some of us don't have the patience for newbs, (my apologies). You need to start over your training in some ways. Teaching your dog to (target) a more specific bite area starts with smaller bite options like a ball on a rope or horse buggy whip "Targeting" a smaller bite area. Eventually becomes biting a specific part of the body like the middle of the forearm and so forth, so giving him a smaller bite area makes him more accurate. Your probably not there yet however. Start by training ob. When the dog sits for the treat give it to him then quickly present the tug and let him tug with you for a couple seconds then back in your pocket it goes. Wash Rinse Repeat.

Ana, lmao!! that was funny..

 Quote: Ana Kozlowsky

 Quote: Ross Rapoport

He's ripping the wife and I up with his feet, so I want something bigger and more substantial so that he can paw at it to his heart's content while biting.

This one. Nice and sturdy and hopefully would last you a while. Get one for the wife as well.

eta: ask them, LB will probably throw in the Tug DVD for free

I got all excited for a minute before I checked the link. Thinking maybe Leerburg was having some special- buy a couple tugs, get a free DVD. Then I looked at the links. I bet you're right Ana, and they would throw in a DVD. Maybe 2!

Duration takes a while. You have to be patient. You've probably just rushed a little too much on everything. It may be best if you just go all the way back to working on attention without the distractions. And take your time.

You don't want him pawing at the toy or you. Try presenting the tug to the side instead of directly in front of you and don't tug too rough whether he wants to or not. Let him snatch it more often and encourage him to bring it back. If he's hitting you with his feet still, end the game. Tell him no and end the game. Down him and let him think about it. Same thing if he's getting your hands.

Yeah, add me to the list of people who chuckled out loud.