Full, calm, hard bite. What is it? - Page 1

I saw this on Phillipe's website today,
thought I would put it up for
all to see. This is  a full, calm and hard bite, back to the molars. The dog is
S. O'Brians. His name is Momo. I have seen 100's of bites, but this is as
good as it gets. I don't think it can be done better. This is a very young dog
so it would have to be his breeding. Enjoy the picture.

Knowing the dog (I took the photo) I will say his grips are full, calm and hard.  That said, I don't think this photo is a good example of that type of bite.  The dog is airborne, with his mouth wide open, we have no idea what the bite would look like once he hit the ground.  He might bite 3/4, or thrash, or regrip repeatedly, etc.  I've taken lots of photos like this over the years, that based on one moment in time make the dog look like it's got a great grip, but if you saw the moment before, or the moment after, it's not so good.  

Malindobi,

If you look at this picture as a still frame the dogs body is very relaxed.
In the airborne position is the best evaluation, but with an obstacle  
and guard added. I would say this is one of the best examples of
a correct bite. We already know there is a challenge to take the bite
with calm execution and than hold it. But you are very correct in saying
where it goes from here is also very important. Can the dog hold this bite or will
he slip, let go, or re bite? 
 If you look closely at his body posture, he looks like he just took a hot
sauna and had a back rub. This is a very good  example of what your dog
should look like when he takes the bite. This dog looks very relaxed.
Very good photo.

Great photo and yes, the dog is very relaxed. You do have to take the moment before and after into consideration. Is the dog going to slow down right before hitting the helper/decoy? It should not be afraid to sacrifice its body. Will the grip remain the same while helper/decoy is driving? The bite could become hectic when pressured. Will the dog have a quiet grip or will it be noisy? After the sleeve/suit is slipped will it carry it with its head high, grip as full and calm as it can be with tail wagging or will it get chewy and become possessive of its reward?

Fast, full, calm, hard and quiet all the way through the whole process is what you want to see.

TJL,

I agree with you, the thing is simply communication between
the dog and the trainer. If a dog is genetically predisposed to
do what you see in this very good photo. Than your job as a
trainer is to communicate to this dog, that what he is doing is
what you want him to do. Releasing the sleeve to a dog tells him
that. But doing it in the beginning it is critical that you do immediately
as soon as he executes the bite correctly. With a good dog this will be
much easier to do. Once he knows what you want him to do he will
always do his bites this way and hold on.

Communication is always the key, and a fast reward following the
correct task to be performed. I know some french trainers who are old, fat.
and have a cigarette sticking out of their mouth, but will reward a dog faster
than you think possible after a good bite is taken with a good grip. Very good
feed back.

Once the dog honors the bite you have taught him, he
will hold it under pressure as well. Like this dog C'Tosco.

Full with the decoy moving away from the dog and not in

Thats a good one Phil! Nice bite!

Here is Udex showing all three dogs Momo, C'Tosco, and Phils dog, put into one.

I like this one, I'm not sure he could get it any fuller :-)


Could be a little fuller, but I'll still throw it in there just for fun :-)