Beth,

Well my opinion is that the quality of the bite work is more to do with genetics and proper training rather than the timeline for training the out. Mind you, I also think that trianing a proper bite will be far more difficult and involve more steps in the process to create that perfect bite than if the OUT were avoided from an early age. My girl seems to be doing very well in the development of her bite but I am at a standstill right now for lack of a helper. If I get anywhere in sport with her, that will be a better testament for this theory though.

First of all if you are going to work your dog you don't teach the out first you teach the hold, how many people do you hear on this web having a problem with their dogs not hoding the ball or bring the toy and holding it all the way back to them, holding the sleeve, holding the dumbell ect..
Big mistake to teach the out before the hold

Hi Angelique. You have way more experience than me, which is why I thought the topic of "teaching a puppy to out" (or not) was interesting to begin with.

I know that "common wisdom" suggests NOT to teach the out until the other foundations are laid. What I'm witnessing personally is one dog, where for sure it didn't seem to matter (no signs of early out / "won't hold" problems yet - at all) and another dog where I think when we taught/didn't teach the out probably wouldn't have mattered (but maybe...not sure in her case). I should probably add that GSD1 and GSD2 were on different training paths (with different trainers/handlers) until only a couple of months ago.

I probably should point out that our own trainer doesn't recommend teaching the out early - in the context of getting maximum SchH performance from the dog in question. He does acknowledge that most people are balancing the enjoyment of the sport (i.e. club level performance) with household companionship, as opposed to having higher level goals (i.e. making it to the nationals).

Everything with these dogs seems to involve a very give and take thing, and many trade offs depending on various goals. I find that aspect of a bit higher level training very interesting.

Thanks!!

 Quote:

First of all if you are going to work your dog you don't teach the out first you teach the hold, how many people do you hear on this web having a problem with their dogs not hoding the ball or bring the toy and holding it all the way back to them, holding the sleeve, holding the dumbell ect..
Big mistake to teach the out before the hold

Angelique, yes both Beth and I realize this. Our comments stemmed from two owners that were, at the time of training the OUT first, were inexperienced. I think Beth was more wondering if grip and carry problems, as a result of early OUT training, could be overcome with a well planned approach.

glad I found this thread. I was planning the same thing. I see it is very possible to have my pup "up" his training using this video. I guess this is next after Basic Ob and Pack structure.

My Sch dog understands that tugging with the grandkids is a no, no. They play fetch with him and he knows he has to drop anything they throw at their feet. All supervised of course!