What age to introduce puppy bite sleeve - Page 2

Who says he isn't, Mack ? OP asks about when AFTER basic obedience he should introduce the sleeve. If you are going to teach basic ob then you are spending time with the pup and making a bond, one hopes. And learning what the pup might or might not be suitable for. No need to ASSume a lack of that, from what's written, or from wanting to plan ahead.

Hundemutter - I have not assumed anything but in the absence of detail e.g. age of pup, whether any training is actually in progress, information what stage the pup is at etc my post is just a passing comment. As you are aware I very rarely post anymore but I do from time to time read the posts on here. I have no further comment to make.

Mackenzie

'Passing comments', when not very carefully worded, and not taking into a/c what info IS available from an OP, can be interpreted as highly critical. Perhaps unfairly because they were not really intended to be; but nonetheless unnecessary. A lot of new people are put off from coming here regularly because they see themselves getting criticised rather than welcomed. Think on.

 

AlBravo has only been a member for a year.  This topic, he already got sat straight on by Ol'Shatterhand (page 1) for daring to think he had the greatest pup since sliced bread - let's all be a bit less curmudgeonly, eh ?

Hundemutter - What I have said is certainly not "highly critical" but is highly relevant to the upbringing of puppies. The comment is necessary for newbies without taking them to task for what they are actually doing. I really think that you are the one who needs to think on.

Mackenzie

Al , IMOp your thinking is incomplete . IMOp whether you are a novice or a high endprofessio al the functional operative questions ** that we need to ask , not at what age , but rather the when , how ,where and why to introduce the dog /pup to the sleeve. The dog will tell you when it is ready ,when ,where and why . I had dogs at 20 weeks old I could put on an first level Sch sleeve annd by 7 months old they could even do a bark /hold bite at a blind or a bite /out /guard / automatic rebite upon escape by helper/decoy. Other dogs take time to home their skills , biting hard fast , full and entry to a person . So we need to look and at each step and at each lesson taught to the dog , to evaluate the dog physically , emotionally , capablitiy / performance wise before the dog progresses from this to that . All that is equired within the dog and within the parameters of ' what makes a good bite' must be present. Also this is not an issue of just biting the sleeve , but also how you want the dopg to bite the sleeve. That is to say , : do you want the dog to bite a sleeve b y chasing it on a rope first ? by presenting the sleeve in also teaching the dog to target a specific place on the sleeve ? If this is not a concern to teach a dog , then I might just go right into teaching nthe dog entry skills. Al my message to youy is : we all have to THINK , whatn the dog is telling us and to THINK about how , what , why ,when and where we teach a do dog to do somet hing to work with us. MY advice is to re think what you are asking and what you ask of the dog...

Al, congratulations on your new pup and good luck on your journey.

Despite the lofty heights some seem to have reached in the GSD world, 99% of people who do anything with dogs have one thing in common.

There was a first day and a first dog and a learning curve. Some people were able to shortcut the learning through Military or LE experience or through having a good mentor or high quality club nearby. And like all areas of life, some just have a natural talent dealing with animals.

It's not rocket science, it's mostly willingness to learn and willingness to get out and do and do it consistently. I have a friend who has titled 3 dogs and never been a member of a club.

My advice is keep asking questions, don't be put off by seemingly short or discourteous answers. There is a wealth of knowledge out there on the interwebs and lots of folks willing to share that knowledge once someone demonstrates they are sincere. also, the search function on this board can offer up knowledge/experience from all over the world.

Here's hoping you keep sharing your experience and maybe a picture/pedigree on your new friend. And it is O.K. to be excited and want to share your excitement over having found him/her.

jmo,
Rik

Al Bravo - I would suggest that you consider your training programme carefully before beginning the biting exercise. You must get your dog to a high level at every stage before introducing each new exercise. This will get you to the best possible position to decide whether you should attempt the biting exercise. It is imperative that you achieve something, that is not discussed very often and, that is CONTROL. Your dog must achieve a high level of control whereby your dog obeys the voice command the first time of asking. The reason for this is that in the biting exercise the dog must come out on the first command.

The road is long and arduous and, like all of us you will sweat blood and tears and a whole load of other emotions. If your dog is failing at any stage then you have to understand why that is. Too many people get rid of dogs with the excuse that the animal is no good, untrainable and a variety of other excuses. If the dog is failing then the first step is to look to yourself and ask am I doing something wrong, or, could I have done this another way. You are the one in charge of communication with your dog. Not everything is the dog's fault. You must have three things and be prepared for slowly moving forward. The three ingredients are Time, Patience and Repetition and, they will take you a long way.

Unfortunately, too many examples of bad training comes to light at the premier Show in the World which is the German Sieger Show. Too many dogs make a high placing at the Show despite showing poor control and willingness.

I wish you well with your puppy and I hope that you achieve everything that you want for your dog and yourself.

Mackenzie

Sorry, posted twice again.

 

Mackenzie

Thanks Mackenzie. Yes its not Rocket science Ive been mainly a trick & obedience trainer and have had excellent results. My 2 Shepherds are Obeying commands at a distance and phenomenal obedience Just looking to accomplish another obstacle on the right dog being the dog is at the right state of mind and has already mastered the commands necessary for the bite exercise. I guess some people think it takes years of experience to make a dog do a reverse handstand when all you need is patience and keeping your training fun for your dog.

Does it count if my puppy drug the adult sleeve out of the closet when she was 9 weeks old? She adored it, snuggled up to it, bit at it, whined and "puppy barked/growled" at it, etc. Might have been the previous dog's scent on it

But, she likes that sleeve above all others...

In all seriousness, I progress from towels to a soft tug about the same day as the puppy learns to fetch a ball and return it reliably.  Ball and tug exercises are mixed as the dog progresses.  As the bite/grip/release reliability develops, the target progresses.  Timing will vary from dog to dog.  As long as the dog and handler are not learning/developing bad habits, as can happen by pushing too far too fast, or overwhelming/confusing the dog by trying to do too much too fast, and it is still fun/interesting for the dog...