Rubber rings are pretty hard on a dog's teeth, and don't really promote proper bite development.

You will find that proper tugs and equipment for training bitework will not be found at PetSmart.

Once you are set-up with a club, they will be able to help you find suitable equipment for your pup.

That's what I was thinking about those rings. I haven't even used them with the older dog in almost a year.

I didn't really need to be told that I wouldn't find protection training equipment at any pet store. If I thought I could, I wouldn't have asked on this forum. I'm an intelligent guy and can probably figure out what I need to get by looking through the products here, but thanks anyway.

 Quote: scott garrett

That's what I was thinking about those rings. I haven't even used them with the older dog in almost a year.

I didn't really need to be told that I wouldn't find protection training equipment at any pet store. If I thought I could, I wouldn't have asked on this forum. I'm an intelligent guy and can probably figure out what I need to get by looking through the products here, but thanks anyway.

Scott,

I woke up on the wrong side of the bed a few days ago and responded to some information given on a post in a pretty defensive, slightly sarcastic way. I regret it.

The "old" folks (nothing to do with age, Connie! LOL!) on this site are extremely knowledgeable and offer their advice and expertise to help the rest of us not screw up our pups.

No one is trying to insinuate that you are not intelligent; sometimes more information is offered than YOU might need because it may help someone else reading the post. I've learned things to do with my 7 month old GSD reading this - that is how it is supposed to work!

Keep us posted on how things continue with your pup - it helps all of us young 'uns.

You're right, Scott.
But you mentioned using a rubber ring toy for bite development, which gave me cause for concern.

I tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to preconceptions of how much any one person knows about bitework.
Erring the other way has gotten many a dog, and handler (and helper, for that matter... sometimes ME) hurt.

Some of my favorite bite equipment for pups and younger dogs (pre-sleeve ready):

Thin Puppy Tug

Medium Tug

Orbee Ball on a String

For a dog between the tug and sleeve, (and for teaching good countering and proper bite placement):
Jute Bite Pillow

 Quote: Scott Garrett

Ah, so they are. I missed that the first time I looked at their site. Thank you, sir.

Would you happen to know anything about either club?

Sir???Lol, you don't need to be so formal. I've heard nothing but good stuff about Dave Dembousky but I've never met him and I don't know any members of his club. I have met members of Placer county and they are really nice and very good trainers. PM forum member Michael Reese about Placer. Michael is one of the nicest guys you'll meet. One thing to keep in mind when it comes to things like this, don't be thin skinned and take offense to everything. You'll never enjoy anything with dogs if you are.

 Quote: barbara schuler

 Quote: scott garrett

That's what I was thinking about those rings. I haven't even used them with the older dog in almost a year.

I didn't really need to be told that I wouldn't find protection training equipment at any pet store. If I thought I could, I wouldn't have asked on this forum. I'm an intelligent guy and can probably figure out what I need to get by looking through the products here, but thanks anyway.

Scott,

I woke up on the wrong side of the bed a few days ago and responded to some information given on a post in a pretty defensive, slightly sarcastic way. I regret it.

The "old" folks (nothing to do with age, Connie! LOL!) on this site are extremely knowledgeable and offer their advice and expertise to help the rest of us not screw up our pups.

No one is trying to insinuate that you are not intelligent; sometimes more information is offered than YOU might need because it may help someone else reading the post. I've learned things to do with my 7 month old GSD reading this - that is how it is supposed to work!

Keep us posted on how things continue with your pup - it helps all of us young 'uns.

I apologize if I came off as angry, I was having a bad allergy morning. I'm also just a very direct person...and a completely new personality to the forum. And, if it helps, my favorite movie when I was five was Monty Python and the Holy Grail. My wife always tells that explains a lot about my smart-assness.

My view of this forum is that I'm a dry sponge here to absorb the waters of knowledge.

 Quote: Alyssa Myracle

You're right, Scott.
But you mentioned using a rubber ring toy for bite development, which gave me cause for concern.

I tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to preconceptions of how much any one person knows about bitework.
Erring the other way has gotten many a dog, and handler (and helper, for that matter... sometimes ME) hurt.

Some of my favorite bite equipment for pups and younger dogs (pre-sleeve ready):

Thin Puppy Tug

Medium Tug

Orbee Ball on a String

For a dog between the tug and sleeve, (and for teaching good countering and proper bite placement):
Jute Bite Pillow

I'm sorry if I mislead you with the rubber rings. I was just mentioning what I had on hand.

I fully appreciate where you're coming from and figured that's what you were doing. It was just a little frustrating, but it's all good.

Thank you for the recommendations.

I remember seeing the orbee in the videos I've seen. I'll to get one for Rasta, too. And I'm thinking the medium tug with the bite training and building focus videos? That'll be next month. Until then I'll do what I can with the fleece tug.

 Quote: steve strom

 Quote: scott garrett

Ah, so they are. I missed that the first time I looked at their site. Thank you, sir.

Would you happen to know anything about either club?

Sir???Lol, you don't need to be so formal. I've heard nothing but good stuff about Dave Dembousky but I've never met him and I don't know any members of his club. I have met members of Placer county and they are really nice and very good trainers. PM forum member Michael Reese about Placer. Michael is one of the nicest guys you'll meet. One thing to keep in mind when it comes to things like this, don't be thin skinned and take offense to everything. You'll never enjoy anything with dogs if you are.

My bad. That's the martial arts.

Hmm. I must have presented myself horribly if all three of you thought I was that upset. I'm a working musician, so my skin isn't quite that thin. The thing that sucks about the internet is that we don't get to see body language or hear vocal inflections, which can make up 93% of communication according to a UCLA study.

Thanks for the input. I'll go ahead and get in touch with him when I'm ready to get started.