Hi all,

I thought I start a new thread as this is a new question (at least to me . Anyway, after my puppy (just turn 4 months) got the prey in her mouth and run around a few round, how do I get that prey away from her without giving the "out" command? I plan to get her into dog sports, and thus want to do the "out" command later but not at an early age so as not to promote chewy behaviour. I try to distract her with other toys (and some of them are her favourite which she only sees them during training), treats and even my gf jumping up and down! But she just won't let go! She looks at the treats, the toys and my gf and pause to think for a while and ran in the opposite direction!

I could pick her up which usually means she will let go because she is not used to being picked up yet when the prey is in her mouth. Or I could pull the prey upwards and she usually let go as I think she is either teething or her jaw is not strong enough yet to hold on... However, I want neither of this to happen... don't think it is a good idea in future training.

So, back to the question... How do I get the prey out of her mouth? Or should I just leave it? Thanks again...

Trade up! Make her an offer she can't refuse.

Don't know Sonny.
I'd say 'GOOD DOG!' And start over with another toy.

Remember, nothing is more interesting than you.

sounds to me as if she has a few "favored" toys. i would start out with her least favorite so you can "trade up" as connie said.

if it turns out that whatever she has is her favorite and she won't "trade up", well first, i would have her on a long line so she can't just bail, this will allow you to stop her, bet she'll lie down and try to chew.

when this happens, you have to have the ability to snatch the item away as soon as she turns loose or isn't gripping it anymore, ie, have the favored toy on a longline as well (a lunge whip w/toy tied to it is ideal for these young pups)&/or have a 2nd item that's moving to distract her from her "dead" item.

does that make sense? hope so...

Hi all,

Thank everyone for your advise. I tried everything you mention today. One good thing about being a poor graduate student is I had free time in between research and projects :P. Anyway, I tried everything today, starting with the least favorite toy, using another new toy, better value treats!...

We find out something new about our dogs everyday!... Well, what happen is that she went after the new today, with the prey still tight in her mouth!.... using her paws trying to "knock" the new toy off from my hand. Can you believe that? My gf was laughing so hard she had a stomach cramp!

Any for the method of waiting for her to get bored and let go... she did not let the prey down nor did she lay down and chew. She looked at me as if asking "now what"? I pretend to lose interest and walk away but she walked around for a quite a while holding the prey with her head tall and tail up and proud. When I get near her, she picks up her prey and tighten her grip again. She lets me stroke her and praise her, but wouldn't let it go!

I had to resort to pulling the prey up high until she loses her grip... sigh

Admittedly, I'm not the most knowledgable person when it comes to sport dogs. I do, however, know a little about about dogs that are trained to bite and hold. So, I don't understand the problem of teaching a dog "drop it", or what ever words you chose. Sure would solve a problem, in addition to building in some safety should the dog ever pick up something it shouldn't

DFrost