Here is a short clip of a tug session with my 7 month old GSD. http://youtu.be/eiAoAI7Nd-0

We had already been playing frisbee for a while before this so I think he was a bit burned out. Constructive critisim/critique is always welcome.He outs really well, he does bring the toy back when its released but he is just slow in doing so at times because he starts to chew on the tug as he is walking towards me and sometimes drops it. Any ideas on how to speed that part up/stop the chewing of the toy? Great thread btw. http://youtu.be/eiAoAI7Nd-0

Just a thought... You need to stop the mouthing of the tug, so you need to get the tug back before the chewing starts. If you are worried about grips, you want to nip any thrashing, as well. I had s problem with my dog dropping the tug. The solution was in building possessiveness for the item and increasing motivation to return for more tug.

You want the dog to carry its prey when he wins it, so let him circle once, then animate yourself (clap, use your audible stimulus, etc.)and ask him to "brrring" the tug. Bring the dog in and immediately initiate more tug.

If that doesn't produce the desired result, move in and either take the tug or bring the dog into your arms. Keep the dog on a line, as a little keepaway while you're building possession is okay, but you don't want to play chase.

I like "into my arms" for this, as the dog will usually hold firmer. This gives you a chance to soothe the dog, which also helps to curtail chewing. If the dog relaxes his grip or drops the tug, you can snatch the tug away, which elevates drive and restarts the game.

ETA: Nice work. In your video, your dog shows good OB and understanding, but his drive could be higher. Use a few more misses in the beginning. Really build up some drive before you get into the bulk of the training and work. Also, make sure he actually performs each command correctly before you mark (watch the "down").

Edited by Duane Hull (05/08/2014 09:20 AM)
Edit reason: eta

Andrew, for 7 months your dog's OB is really great! We were nowhere near this level at 7 months. Keep up the great work, it will all come together soon.

The "into my arms" was a Flinks thing that can work but, depending on the dog it can also stress the dog.
Many dogs resent that hugging type behavior from the handler.
One of my dogs would grumble about it and the the other would almost freak out with excitement. Over the top happiness of all that attention.

Thanks for the reply Duane. I haven't tried that method because i thought it would cause too much possesiveness and he wouldn't want to bring the tug back or release it. He tricks me sometimes with the down. I didn't even realize his elbows werent down until I watched the video.

Christy thanks for the compliment. Your videos are awesome. I liked how you could put your dog in a position and toss the tug and then release him and have him bring it back. I tried that with Ruckus today by putting him in a sit and saying "leave it" then tossing the tug waiting and releasing him. He brought it back right away on the first try!

Bob, so you think I should just try to increase my enthusiasm to get him to bring it back? I would say he brings it back 90% of the time but its just slow due to the chewing/mouthing and him dropping it.

Andrew

Nothing wrong with the "in my arms" with the RIGHT dog for it. If he's off lead when you send him for the retrieve then put him back on.
When I start teaching the retrieve with a puppy I use back chaining and markers jut to teach the pup/dog to hold the article. THIS will avoid the chewing.
If he can't do a calm hold while sitting in front of you he surely isn't going to be calm in the excitement of running after it.
From that I start in a confined space like a hallway inside the house. The dog has no choice but to bring it to me.
Toss the article to far in the beginning and you put the dog out there with to many chances of distraction.
Get the hold solid, then the out, then toss it only a short distance with the dog on leash. This goes back to time, distance, distraction.
Without a genetic desire to retrieve you can never give a dog to many choices.
One of my dogs was retrieving when I tested the litter at 4 wks. At 10 yr old he'll retrieve till he drop if I let him. My other GSD had no desire at all. Chase the tug, smell it and walk away. Now he's at the back door with his kong in his mouth if I just walk by the door.
Back chaining with concerns about time, distance and distraction.

Yup, the "in my arms" maneuver or any form of a hug causes my otherwise affectionate dog to go into full panic mode. Do some dogs perceive this as a display of dominance?

Great posts everyone, I am learning a lot!

Not if it's taught correctly. You can't reach down and grab a fully engaged, high drive dog if you haven't properly learned the technique and taught it to your dog, or if the dog has shown an aversion to it.

As Bob said, it's a technique used and taught by Bernhard Flinks for years, designed to build grip by improving a dog's confidence and calmness on the sleeve. I first saw him teach it in a video produced by Ed Frawley. The dog is taught that he doesn't have to be desperate to hold onto his prey, but that he has to hold onto it or he will lose it. I've seen video of several seminars where a dog/handler team was introduced to the technique for the first time, and saw immediate improvement. I introduced it to my dog and solved a couple of problems, all the while building more prey drive.

ETA: I agree that some dogs might not have the temperament for intimate contact, especially while engaged.

Edited by Duane Hull (05/09/2014 10:08 AM)
Edit reason: eta

I kept it pretty short, he got tired and distracted quickly tonight, more later maybe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgTTsA_tTLM&edit=vd

 Quote: Kristin Muntz

I kept it pretty short, he got tired and distracted quickly tonight, more later maybe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgTTsA_tTLM&edit=vd

More backing up by you and a bit more speed from you also.
Short, short sessions! If you get one or two speedy games the stop BEFORE he decides to stop.