My puppy, Eagle, is finally done teething at 6 mos - the last canine came out about 1.5 weeks ago. How long does it take for them to get used to their new mouth?

I haven't had a puppy in so long, that I forget these things...

Also, he is not as hot for the toy as I would like him to be, and I am hoping (PRAYING) that this is due to figuring out his mouth, and I'm not dealing with apptitude issues.

Not 100% sure, but from what I've read and spoken to people about when dogs are teething they may go right off their toys/tugs as the chewing action can hurt or irritate their mouths. As long as they have no really painful experiences during this time they recover their interest and drive. Hope this is right, someone more knowing can chime in and offer more insight.

Every dog is different.

Different lines develop different drives, at different times.

If you're concerned, I would really recommend the Building Drive and Focus DVD. The sooner you start the work, the better. And it's a good one to have, all-around, if you're interested in bitework with the puppy.

Yes, potential is set at birth. A dog can never become more than what it's potential allows. But, we as handlers can do everything in our power to ensure that the dog FULLY expresses every last drop of potential.

If you were tugging with him a lot while he was teething, he may be a bit hesitant to tug now, as he associates tugging with pain.
Even without that, he's generally had a lot of negative feedback any time he's mouth on anything, even if it wasn't tugging with you. He may not be as chompy as normal, for awhile.

Hi Aaron, I've been working with a mondioring club and doing many of the drive building exercises. The head trainer (who is also a judge) occasionally gets on me for being boring and wants me to run around more, so I've been working on that (damn cardio - ugh). I have even stopped doing obedience to focus on play and just trying to have fun. Has the leerburg dvd been updated to reflect their 'new' philosophy?

Also, I took Eagle to the chiropractor and after the adjustment there seemed to be a big difference in his willingness to latch on. Chiro said his neck and jaw were out.

We had no actual tugging while he was shedding teeth, but even before he started teething, he would actively chase toys, but not grip them.

He's done teething now and I have been using very soft toys, and not tugging back much - chase it and actually catch it is basically what I've been asking.

My question is, does it take a specific amount of time for the teeth to set? Like 2 weeks, a month?

I waited a year for this pup. I did a lot of research as this is my first shepherd, and I'm feeling a little defeated at this point. I specifically told the breeder my priorities were 1. Ring capable, 2. Sex - Male. 3. Color - black or black sable.

All of the other dogs in the club around this age are on Jambieres. It's very frustrating, as I don't feel I have the resources to get another pup if Eagle can't do it. Selling and replacing Eagle is not an option either, as he is a very nice, smart, lovely dog and we are very attached.

Lisa, relax.

He's six months old.

Your trainer is right though. YOU have to be animated, if you want an animated pup.

Thanks Aaron, very well put!

Update:

Things seem to steadily be improving. We have stopped almost all OB - just playing for now.

Eagle went to the chiropractor and after his adjustment seems to be much more interested. The doc said his neck and jaw were out, and it was probably a little painful to grip and tug. Eagle seems to be much better. I am happy with those results and I am going to take him back....

Eagle does interact a lot with Laya, my Presa - he is most motivated to play if she is playing, too. I have concerns about this, and we are curbing that element. For now he just gets to play with me.

We got some new training equipment: Jute Jambiere, Ball on String, and Bite Wedge. Eagle does like the Jambiere (not on leg) and bite pillow in our living room and training studio since the adjustment - haven't tried it outside yet because I want him to practice having LOTS of fun with the equip in a familiar environment first. We are trading with him and not outing. We need to do more harness work, I think?

With food, I have great engagement. Our OB sessions last about 8 to 10 minutes and we stop even though he could do more. Obedience is not a problem even around very distracting stuff.

Eagle is medium on 'hardness' both mentally and physically. This is based on observation and not application - we are not correcting anything other than with negative markers.

Haven't seen much defense - He will bark at strangers through the kennel but not excessively.

Eagle is not as prey/play drivey as I would like. On a scale of 1 to 10, Laya is a 3 (food motivated but doesn't really play for rewards but will humor me) and Eagle is a 5. He likes to chase things and play, but he won't go for long and gives up if it's 'too hard.' By contrast, my old pit bull Capone was a 9. I give him a 9 because he could still think a teeny little bit when stimulated. On hardness he was a 10. We had to train with markers before it was 'popular' outside of competition culture due to the fact that no correction (prong, electric, ear pinches etc. and I'm ashamed to say I tried it all) worked on him. And, that was troublesome because (big shocker here) of his extreme dog aggression. Playing tug in the house was not an option since he would barrel through, over and under any obsticle to get to the toy. Once the cover to the vent was off and his favorite Kong ball rolled into it and out of reach. He laid by that vent for 3 days just starring at it until I bought him another one. He would drown himself before he would give up on a game of fetch at the lake. I had to go in after him once beacause a friend of mine threw a soaked log in the water that sank, and he wouldn't give up diving for it and exhausted. I so wish I had my head on straight and was introduced to dog sports sooner. So, in terms of play drive, I think I have a couple points of reference?

Aaron,

My refrigerator is usually reserved for the artwork of my daughters but the second part of your post has earned a spot. Thanks for the inspiration.