Training puppy for bite work - Page 1

I currently have a 10 week old puppy that I want to be doing bite work with. I've been tunneling his prey drive and then making him work for his toys to keep that drive. I've started his obedience (sit, down, stand, out, focus). I am just wondering what y'all do when raising your pups to keep that drive and how y'all transition them to the bite sleeve? He is very protective of his tug toy (from the other dogs not myself) so I use that when we are training. Any information will be great!!

We do not start training for "bite work" until ours are 12 months or older.  If your puppy is 10 weeks old he/she still has puppy teeth.  If they break a tooth you could run the risk of the dog not ever biting again.  We've seen it happen before.  Everyone's training methods are different.  My schutzhund club will not work a dog until it turns 12 months old for bite work though.  Hope this helps.

Also, their "favorite" toy we do not let them have it 24/7.  They will eventually get bored with it.  Also, as far as building drive goes....either your dog has it or he doesn't.  Make sure your dog came from a good blood line.

We do not play tug of war with anything.  If we do, I grab it for a second and let her have it.  You shouldn't try and pry it out of their mouth.  Let them win.  Gives them a little confidence boost. 

We start with a pup tug behind a fence for bite work.  Once they are comfortable, we will bring them out on the flat.  Once they've gotten used to the pup tug and will take it with ease and hold it we work the sleeve the same way.  But again, our dogs are all 12 months are older.

These are things I've been told by my trainer and other memebers.  It works for our dogs and mine.  I'm not claiming to be an expert......But I've seen our methods and they work for us. 

Good luck to you!  :)

What type of bitework are you planning to do?  Personal protection, sport, ??  And if sport, what sport?  Do you have a trainer or club that you will be working with?  Different groups train differently, if you already have a trainer you will be working with I would be asking them what they recommend you do at this age.  If you are going to train with them, you may as well raise your dog using their methods. 

Personally I start my pups in bitework right away.  My focal point is the Ringsports, French and Mondio.  My current pup is almost 6 months old and is doing a face attack, defense of handler, guard of object, blind search and escort.  Not finished by a long shot, but he's got a pretty good understanding of each and is making steady progress.  Same for the obedience, retrieves, heel, sit, stand, down, send away.