Bitework problem - Page 1

I have just acquired a Malinois, male, 2 1/2 y/o. Don't know much about him or his training.  I have done obedience on him and he did great.  All I know is his previous owner has done some bitework with him.  This is a 'rescue' situation but he is not my first Malinois.  He is a very nice dog and I have not had any other issues with him.  I have had him for about two months.  Just started to do some bitework with him to see where/what his bites are like.  Problem is, he will not stay on the bite.  He bites, releases, re-bites just seems to be in a 'frantic' mode.  We have tried everything we can think of without sucess.  Worked him on a bungee, etc. The situation is such that I can't talk to the previous owner or trainer to ask about his training.  Any ideas?

Check his mouth

Phil,
I have had his teeth and mouth checked at Vets and all is good.  He loves to carry things and doesn't mind what it is made of.  In fact, he is a pack rat.  If I miss anything in the house I go to his little 'hidey hole' to find it.   Knives, forks, spoons, bowls, screwdrivers, hammers, etc. everything is fair game.

Will he play "strong" tug with you?

I second what Phil posted.  I would not give up on him, it may simply be he had little exposure to bitework or perhaos the wrong exposure.  Good luck with him and thanks for rescuing him.  The last one I pulled from a shelter was under a year and had already been in 4 homes.  He turned out to be a fantastic pupy, just a typlical Mal and no one bothered to research the breed defore they added him to their family.  He is now in his permanent home and doing wonderfully.

Phil,
Yes, he will play strong tug with me. 

Judy,
I'm not giving up on him.  No matter what, he has found his 'forever' home.  Just wish I knew what he went through in his other home.  I'm in no rush.  He didn't get this way over night and I won't push him. 

If he plays strong with you as you say, then something is happening when he switches from you to the helper.  If you play with a toy, something he really likes, what happens when you hand it to your helper while still engaged??  Does he continue to play or does his mind switch gears?

Phil,
I haven't tried that but I wil try it at training this week-end.

Well??  How did it go?

Phil,
He was very tentative when the decoy took the tug.  He turned it loose in a second or two.