Chewing sleeve problem - Page 1

I have a showline male who likes to chew the sleeve instead of doing a proper grip. Any advise on how to get him to just grip onto it instead of chewing? Thanks

Assuming the dog has good drives and nerves, munching the sleeve usually reflects "conflict" caused by asking the dog to "out" too early--before he has a full understanding of the exercise and what is expected of him. Start you dog's bitework training all over-- don't ask him to "out". Assuming he is being worked on a longline during his bitework training, after he grips the sleeve, momentarily let the line go slack in order for him to re-grip, briefly make the line taut--then, give him a slip and carry of the sleeve. He quickly learns, that he gets his reward (carrying the sleeve) for a correct grip. Do not let him munch the sleeve during the carry. Just walk your way up the line and cradle the dog calmly, until he drops the sleeve on his own. He will learn quickly, that, by loosening his grip on the sleeve, he looses his prey. When he is finally ready to out on his own, he may do this inducively without command when the helper locks up. He will soon learn that he is rewarded with another bite after he outs. This avoids conflict. You may also need to teach your dog to grip his dumbbell calmly and correctly to avoid his munching it while he is retrieving it.

Go back to tug work . Get the dog to hold the tug calmly while you bring him close to you.Gently pet him calmly while he holds tug.also once the young dog strikes the sleeve with a good bite slip it then run him in a circle.Do this until he is calm on the sleeve.Dont let him have the sleeve too much. Thanks and good luck.

germanguy is correct you must take a diiferent tact for now -- tug is good ..never any reason to rush training -- although i would like to add the comments here are to boilerplate --- they are too methological --- you must read your dog -- that is why i hate the word drive in schutzhund = it actually insinuates lack of understanding in what you are doing and the dog itself -- contemplate -- your dog has thoughts , emotions,feelings . as well as wants and needs -- this is the key --for example -- condition your dog in steps -- first get him to hold the tug -- master that -- then you may have to slowly condition the dog to feel OK having and holding a tug next to you --at that point you can have your dog carry a tug any where , any place , any time as you walk during the day --- then when the dog has no conflict you may need to reinforce good grip .secondly -- you can work with difffernt objects to teach the out CORRECTLY , sometimes i do this then when a great out is learned you can incorporate that into your protection routine -- -- that is to say you teach the dog to want to give you the object -- outs are never a command with me -- it is an guidance to your dog that fullfills his needs -- -- your dog must understand by outing that he gets something better/more desirable .. another bite .. food , option to play .. whatever is important to him --- this elimanates worry , conflict and helps chanel his energies . and so on -- the p[oint is that teach things in approximation steps to bring your dog where you want in training -- textbook . mehtological techniques quite often crerate problems or hinders better performance- even cradling a dog while holding the tug -- for some dogs this is conflict and therefore you need to approximate to even get to that point -- work with someone wo can read your dog and understands

I actually imported him from germany about 4 months ago, he is about 2.5 years old. He is a sch 2, his name is Valdano vom Hanneß seems to me that he was taught to bite on the defence. He wouldnt bite for about the first 2 months, now he is. He does hold the sleeve when i run with him and he has it in his mouth. Anymore input would be greatly appreciated.