Can not get puppy to calm down on grip very mouthy. Have the dvd B.F traing grip and focus and getting preparing dog for helper. His focus is good his drive is good. He will hold only when I put pressure on the ball. When we run in circle he is still mouthy. Evan if I run at my top speed. I am in good shape so he does have to move a little LOL. If I make my circle to tight he just comes to the right side ( smart dog). What should I try? He is now 8 months old

Have you had him since a little puppy? He doesn't sound fully comfortable with you, also, did you teach him out? If so, how did you do it?

For now as a suggestion do in your arms with a tug, and make sure and not lean over him when you do it atleast for now this will make your body posture less stressful to him, when he comes into you if he is near your left leg, use your left hand to rub his right side so your not reaching over him, keep it very brief two strokes and then up moving again. Do that about 5-6 times, and then give him the out command and immediatly kick it away and let him get it. Then on the second series of in my arms attempt to take the tug from him quickly if he holds it let him continue running in a circle, if he lets you take it immediatly put him back in drive with the tug and start over. And keep repeating like that. After you have done this and if he is improving, get a bite bar and hang it from a tree to where when he gets on it (assuming he has the drive to) his back toes are touching the ground, and let him hang there on it for atleast 5-10sec then release the rope and let him run in circles with it. After he is getting good at this, continually praise him as you walk up to him and give him one good long slow stroke from his neck down his back then move away from him still praising at first every touch or two reward by releasing the rope and running him in a circle with the bite bar. Gradually extend the time you spend touching him before releasing the rope, the idea in this is to build his bite while allowing him to learn to relax when you are near him while he is on the bite. If he's on the bite bar and completely lets go, then just go back and do nothing but bond more with this dog, play two ball, and while your playing do alot of touching and good boys, then after about 2 weeks of this start doing in my arms again, then after about 3 weeks of that try the bite bar again.

Often dogs get impacted by there handler, it makes them nervous. This can result in mouthing. Another way to work on a calm hard grip is when playing and working him with a tug/ball/sleeve have a leash/line attached to the object as you run with him keep some pressure on the object in his mouth, light jerks as well (give him 5-6 feet of leash). If he decides to loosen his grip or get chewing immediately rip it out of his mouth. He will get frustrated and next time hold it longer. Start with small goals, work up to harder longer holds. By having him run on a leash, he is away from you and he won't get impacted by your presence. By you having a line on the prey object, it keeps it just enough alive to make him want to hold it. If it were a rabbit, it could escape if his grip was bad.
When you stop the running and you want to approach him, keep a little pressure on the prey object. If you can train with someone else, have them hold the line attached to the prey object and give the slightest amount of pressure or small light jerks on the line. You can let the line loose in small time frames, but don't let him get mouthy. As he holds it you very calmly praise him. If you praise him and he gets mouthy, don’t praise, just hold him. If he gets mouthy, and he understands the down command, give him the out command and a down or sit. The alternative to holding calm is obedience. As he understands this, he will want to hold the prey object, verse doing a down or sit.

I just wanted to chime in here and say that I did exactly what Chet just suggested today with my pup, and it WORKS! I was using one of those retrieving 'bumpers' like they train labs with, and I attached a flexi leash to the ring on the end of it (yes! a use for a flexi lead! lol). I would run with it trailing behind me and let him grab it and he would actually grab on and PULL instead of letting go like he would do if I was holding onto it. I then would unlock the flexi and let him parade around until he started to lie down with it or began munching on it, and I'd jerk it away again. He really seemed to enjoy it, though I did notice a little bit of blood on the toy when I took it to put it away. He's starting to teethe, so I'm trying to be careful not to yank things out of his mouth or whatever, but I guess I'll have to be more careful next time because obviously I tugged too hard or something today. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

WOW! I believe someone said that to you in a different post. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Kristen - My pup is 8 months old and done teething...but he still leaves a little blood on the kong that I use to do the same exercise. I think it's from the rope/lead and not really from pulling too hard. I always check him out afterwards and he seems no worse for the wear...just my 2 cents.

Jeff <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> I didn't mean to tug; I wasn't playing tug with him - it just happened when he caught the toy. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

LIAR,LIAR,PANTS ON FIRE! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Jeff old buddy....you gotta get back to the doctor and have those medications adjusted, ok? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Who says you can't be a little nutty here and there. I have an appointment later today. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />