Hi,

Ok, I've read Ed's article and watched the building drive and focus dvd and the bite training puppies series. But I think I missed something. I understand only practicing the out once a day on young dogs to not make them nervey and want to chew the tug. The part I'm unsure about is what would be the proper way to take the tug away at other times, like when you need to end the training session?
At first I thought practice at the end, but then he won't get that outing makes the game start again. I hope someone can give me a little help on this one. My pup won't be here till March, but I like to have my game plan down before he gets here.

Thanks guys!

The way I end it Josh is I let him keep it and carry it into the house just like carrying the sleeve to the car from the training field. Once in the house he lays calmly with it for a minute and when he's relaxed enough I slowly put it away.

Hi Josh

You will find that there are many differing opinions on this topic. Personally, I believe that it is ok to teach the out early and often if you do it correctly. My method is to play the game while giving the out frequently during a session. I think it works like any other obedience command. It is repetetion and reinforcement. If he is given the out ten time and is immediately rewarded with the tug ten times, then he learns that out means "let's start over" instead of give it to me. That eliminates all conflict.

Though it may differ from many others on this board, I personally think it works best. I think that working the out only once a day causes conflict itself because it lacks repetition. That is of course unless you are very experienced. I know some of these guys have perfected that method. It is just not the one that works best for me.

As far as the final out to finish the game goes, I use a different command. I tell the dog to "give it". Yes, there is some conflict with that command because he knows it is over. But, there is not one bit of conflict with the out because it is a seperate command and in no way related.

Take it for what it is worth and you might find that it works well for you. It worked like magic for me.

Thanks for the help guys. I was thinking a different command would be the way to go. I like the idea of him carrying it away though, like his trophy, that has to be good for his ego. Thanks again for the help!

 Quote: trevor morris

You will find that there are many differing opinions on this topic.

Understatement of the year award!

I did apply the "enough" command after the dog has carried it off and it worked well for us...it's still working I don't plan on fixing it!