Quote: RobbinMann

He also mentioned that a straight bite is much more natural and comfortable for a dog to take on the arm or upper body than on the leg, the head having to turn itself sideways to clamp onto the leg,

Hi Robbin,

Don't take this to heart, or as a bash but..the majority of dog bite calls I go to have injury on the lower body if an adult is involved. Most fear biting dogs hit low and from behind. This doesn't apply to a trained dog unless of course, said dog is a fear biter or trained to do so.
That being said, when a pack of wild dogs go to bring down game they go for the legs first, then the head and throat. Obviously its not a fair comparison but the dynamics are very close. Some dogs in the hunting pack prefer to go high, and some low. In that case its a team effort but each hunter has a specialty from which they learned from experience on what works best for them.
People teach dogs to go high. It takes confidence for a dog to stay on the bite with their whole body off the ground. A lesser dog will not hold on. I watched Mike Schoonbrood catch dogs in a blind and pull dogs off the ground. A few failed to stay engaged once their feet left the earth.
Basically, it all comes down to the training. Figure out what you want, devise a plan, then impement it until successful.

No offense taken, Howard!

I can see what you're saying about the hunt, no doubt that to take out a ligament or leg muscle would be the way to go for a pack trying to bring an animal down, after all the least amount of energy expended in a hungry pack, the better. Like you said, not really a fair comparison.

As far as dog bites, its not much of a stretch to believe that dogs who are fear biters will go for what is closest, not enough confidence to rise up high to face someone...kinda the best way to get in a cheap shot, right? lol!

Actually, you gave me some happiness with this post as the one thing I do know about Levi is he will not let go no matter how high off the ground his legs are!! You state it takes a really confident dog to do this soooo, woohoo!! Another brownie button for the dog with mixed lines!

Seriously though, one of the reasons I love this board is I find that things that I think might be issues really aren't. Teaching a dog to take the leg is just that "teaching/training". Like you said, Figure out what you want, devise a plan, then impement it until successful. Good advice!

Just an update...we had a session today and although we started out a little weak on the leg we ended really strong by days end! There's nothing quite like watching your dog overcome something that you have been having issues with. Not only did he get over the leg bite but he got over it with an attitude!

All I can say is...SWWWWWEEEEEEEETTTTTT!!!!

I love my trainer!! The guy is like a freakin Hoodini! Constantly amazes me how he can tune into my dog and in a VERY short amount of time get him on track!

What the heck did I do before I did this?

And what the heck will we do when training is over??

Agility anyone?

Beautiful sig pic of Levi, Robbin. He's very beautiful, has grown so much since I saw him. Gorgeous boy.

 Quote:

And what the heck will we do when training is over??

Huh? I don't understand the question.

Once you start bitework, you don't stop bitework until the dog is retired. Then you get another dog and start all over.

Are you talking about maintenance bitework training? I know about that and will continue it probably once a month. But right now, Lear gets 2 sessions a week and I figured that won't be necessary the rest of his life, or am I wrong? I'm figuring even one session a week will not be necessary or am I again wrong? You know that's happened!

Btw, I'm talking about PPD training, if that makes a difference in your answer.

 Quote: Mike J Schoonbrood

 Quote:

And what the heck will we do when training is over??

Huh? I don't understand the question.

Once you start bitework, you don't stop bitework until the dog is retired. Then you get another dog and start all over.

Hehehehe, no no, Mike, you did misunderstand me...what I meant was..

What did I do with my life before I started dog training!!??LOL! Seems like it is everything that I am about these days. Even my kids are jealous of the dog!

Police dogs have the benefit of real-world experience and being able to see what the dog will do when he is told to bite "for real". Police train more than once a month to keep their dogs sharp. Well, not all of them, but the good ones do

A PPD doesn't have this advantage. You could be in for a real surprise if the day actually comes where your dog needs to bite. So why would you cut down to training once a month?

You COULD get by with doing so. But there is no reason to at all. The fun only BEGINS when your dog is at that level in his training!

Mike, I'm rethinking the maintenance training cause of what you said. I wasn't settled about once a month, didn't "feel" right so I'll up it when the time comes. I certainly don't want any surprises!!!

As far as the fun only beginning at a high level of training, well I'm all for having more fun! Are you sure it's legal, having that much fun?