Do you train the "prey shaking" out of them? - Page 1

So this post has been posted before I'm sure, but I would like your guys opinions, or to know what you guys do when it comes to this.....and I'm sure not all posted on the previous threads dealing with this so I'm doing a new one.  My pup Anubis will bite the prey item, pulling back, whining, and shaking it.  Do you guys prefer "the fight" or the shaking to be trained out of them or not? I've been told they are awarded more points for a calm grip instead of a "prey shaking monster" as my friend said, but I personally would prefer a dog who brings a fight to the helper.  If you don't train it out, what's your reason for it? If you do train it out of them whats your reason?  With my pup if all goes as planned I plan to do sport and then personal protection with him....for the person who asked in my previous thread that I posted pictures of him, they had asked what are my plans for him.

If he is whining he is anticipating his butt kicked if he leaves the prey. I personally do not like the whining. For sport scores yes a calm grip is preferred. But head shaking is the true right action. with lots of social aggression and fight drive.

regards

better still right action, if the sleeve comes off little head shaking with the sleeve continues and then running in the circle

cheers

Vikram, how do you stop the whining then? Keep in mind my puppy is VERY vocal no matter what we're doing. Him and a few others from the litter are very vocal puppies.

The whinning at this age is probably ok....he is just wanting to win sooooo bad!  I would be more concerned at this point to make sure he has a FULL grip on the tug EVERY time he gets it!  You can teach this, let him grip the tug, if the grip isn't full make the tug really still, (like dead prey) when he adjusts his grip give him a verbal command (you are going to use this command anyway) like "arrest" and as soon as his grip is as full as it can be then give a tiny amount of pull on it and immediately let the puppy win!  Stuff like this is very important in the "imprint" work! 

Don't play tug with him much between the age of 4 months and till about 6 months.  He can still bite the toy and chase balls and stuff like that but he will be teething (he will loose his front teeth between the K9's at about 4 months and then his K9's a little before 6 months) and you don't want to cause any pain in his mouth durring play.

Vickie
www.PowerHausKennels.com

If the pup is whining you could be putting a little to much pressure on him or not allowing him to "win" the toy soon enough. Don't know for sure but a suggestion.

As for the head shake.........

I like it, and encourage it to a point. If you encourage it too much, it can get out of hand. I try to teach the dog to shake it's head when the decoy goes static. But like I said, I do it in small doses as it can get out of hand.

AS for more points for a calm grip in sport work, it depends on what sport you are participating in. Some sports and judges will score you better for it, some will deduct, and some don't car one way or another.

Play with your pup, but don't try to do to much to soon. Take him out to a club and let them get a feel for him, and give you some instruction.

Good luck

i like it.  if you dont have it get helmut raisers book "der schutzhund" .   there is a section in it where he actually talks about encouraging the head shake.   

john

I'll be blunt, in my view you cannot do much about whining( Weak Nerves & genetic) with age and maturity it MIGHT go as someone else also said. You have to let this kind of dog go on winning and build his confidence. He is essentially afraid that if he loses the prey the consequences would be dire!!! Head shaking is genetic and cannot be taught. Yes Calm grips can be taught doen for sport. A genetic grip will not losen even on head shaking. Making up grips is a fake!!!!

regards

want to add one more thing. Do not confuse the vocal when asking for prey on the leash at other end, versus vocal with the sleeve in the grip. Two are different. Personally I do not like even too much vocal when in drive and asking for prey on leash.

cheers

also vocal on the leash locked into prey drive is very veryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy high in drive. Don't bash me I'm not showing you down i'm just being straighforward in my view

regards