dog wont stay on the inital bite - Page 1

Hello,  Can anyone give me some advice to try with my dog... My problem with her is the initial bite onto the tug, she is 7 months old and she will not hold on for the first couple of times you present it to her but once you let he have it in her mouth a few seconds then she wont let it go.  Any suggestions would be appretiated.
Thank you

Why don't you ask Phil.
LOL

Normally, I'd tell you to get a new dog, but it might not be the dogs fault. It could be many things. You aren't very descriptive. We don't know how you play, etc. Perhaps there is conflict there with the toy. The dog won't hold on while you are at the other end, then won't give it up when you are not. Maybe you need to learn to play with the dog in the right fashion. Build the dogs confidence and teach it the game. Do you not let the dog win? Does the dog feel intimidated by you, to where it won't fight you for the toy? Maybe try a flirt pole where the rag is further away from you.

I second what Chaz suggested with the flirt pole. Once the dog is going after and holding on to the rag/tug/ball after many times playing, you can
take up the line in your hands and play at the half way point. Gradually work your way down until the dog is taking bites from the tug in your hands.
Make sure the dog wins!!!! Don't make your dog fight hard for it at first, light tug then dog wins. As you work this (takes time!) you can gradually increase
the fight and if the dog starts coming off, then you're going too fast and take a few steps back.

Melissa

Playing tug`o`war involves some fight drive and if the dog has an expressed social/pack drive it hesitates to play this games. When you try then with nice words to persuade the dog to take the tug and even touch the the dog once it has got it in the mouth it makes it even worse. The solution is to create distance first by using a fllick pole with an attached rag the fast moving rag will make the prey drive kick in, so the dog will chase it, trying to catch it, once it has got it pull on it but keep the distance and do not praise!. How long you have to stimulate the dog depends on the drive level and experiences the dog has made before, hesitation can also partiallly come from telling the dog off for taking things in the mouth in different situations like in the house. Dogs are very good observers and associate things you would never think of. Good Luck.
All the best
Ulf

Its not  abig problem many dogs have this habit.....

dog transport