Bitework problem - Page 2

Was it better than before?  Try putting your tug or rag on a line and have your helper at the end of that line.  If you have to, try playing with your dog with your helper just standing close to you but not doing anything.  Gradually get yourself closer before handing him the tug.   Using a leash or line on your tug will take some of the pressure of the stranger off of the dog.

Phil,
I will try that.  It will be two weeks before we meet again, decoy is going to NARA competion this next week in Texas. 
Thanks for the help.

Are you doing SchH or FR with the dog?

Phil,
I have been going to a FR club because I know the decoy and have worked with him in the past  in other vevnues.  I am not a member of the club but this is the only place within reasonable driving distance.  I will have to join if I continue to go.  I went, in the past, to a Sch. club but I am really not comfortable with the methods of the new training director.  The other TD has moved to another state.  He was awesome!  But that's been several years ago.  I don't know what discipline the previous owner worked with this dog.  I am open to any suggestions you might have.  If you think Sch. is the best way to go I will just have to bite the bullet and drive 3 - 4 hours to training.  This guy has had a rough start in life and I really do want to do right by him. 

Without seeing the dog it is very difficult to say.  The principles and foundation work are different for the 2 sports, that is why I asked.  Probably the most important thing for your dog right now is to feel comfortable with the helper and learn that biting is fun.  That's the best advice I can give you without being there to see the work, find someone that he can have fun learning "with".

Phil Behun,

i have same problem with my 2 year old begian malinois male. he was given(re-home) to me by a good friend of mine. the said dog has no formal training whatsoever. they just kept him as a guard dog and pet. right now, i started working on his ob and seems getting better. but my only concern is during the bitework training. btw, i also found out he doesn't like playing ball or tug. Im working on him using food reward and he loves eating alot!

what i also like with this dog, he has a very good civil.

I think it is due to the temperament of the dog...If a belgian malinoi has a higher prey outlook than a civil outlook tendency is he will bite and get hold of the rag...if it is a civil dog its main focus is on the reaction of the person and not the rag...civil dogs are ideal for police work...and prey dogs are ideal for competition and detection....sometimes you get a dual purpose dog that has a prey and civil outlook...