Opinion - problems with "aus" - Page 1

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=898305504908380297&hl=en The link is of my male GSD doing some bite work when he was about 15 mths. old. He is now almost 22 mths. and has progressed quite a bit. Although, I am having a difficult time with the "aus"; whereby, he does not want to let go for me on a consistent basis. He is a very hard dog and once he gets in these zones he seems to have no feeling towards pain even when he gets some strong corrections, although at times can get handler aggressive. He has never bitten me but has showed his annoyance by barking. The only time he did get handler aggressive was once when one of the trainers handled him to show me how to do the "aus". They have both worked out their differnce since then. My trainer can get it done most times although there are days (especially when it is cool) when he is in a totally different zone. We are down in Miami. He is by nature a very bold, friendly, and outgoing dog and loves people especially children. However; as he gets older he is less friendly (not aggressive at all) towards strangers, just bold, curious and watches them, but they can approach him. He has tremendous ball drive and can keep at it for some time so I have to be careful as to not overdo things with him especially with the heat down here. I am not a professional breeder or trainer just love the GSD and enjoy working with him. We do the bite work more for fun and personal protection and adopt elements of schutzhund and KNPV. Currently, I am stuck till I (not him) can get this "aus" down pat, as he can do the bark and hold, and the trainer has also trained him to be called off once sent on a bite, which is amazing as he does hit hard during the long bite. Any advise you folks can give me as to how to motivate him to do the "aus" will be truly appreciated, as I know this is a handler problem (possibly not tough enough) with a strong dog.

As with many in ScH at the novice level developing the Aus command takes lots of time and reps. You can order a leerberg vid on the topic and practice on your own or spend the time with a veteran handler to get this all to improtant command as automatic as sitz. Very good question and not an uncommon dilema. You charachterized it perfectly. A half trained dog in ScH is not a good thing. Good luck to you. You are on the right track. I am speaking from experience. I often seek the aid of a full time trainer if I hit a wall.

Teach him the Aus very quickly; if he is barking at you in aggression it is only a matter of time for the bite. It would be nice to out him after he clamps in. Seriously, you may want to reconsider your direction. A partially trained dog in bite work can be a tragedy waiting for a place to happen. It sounds as if you may be afraid of the dog and that presents it's own unique problem. Get someone who knows what they are doing involved immediately.

For some reason I could not link the video. There are countless methods to your problem. I've seen the helper give the correction, people use the two sleeve method, whatever works the best for a particular dog. Remember that like humans, not all dogs are the same. Just because a cattle prod and a shovel are needed for some dogs, does not neccessarily mean thats the solution for yours. One of the best trainers in your state, Ivan Balabanov, could help you out tremendously. The guy is brilliant. Usually, after he gives a solution, the handlers are left scratching their heads and asking themselves, "why didn't I think of that?"

Thanks for your responses. Spook101, no I am not afraid of the dog at all, my problem is I may be too tolerant. Yes he is a very head-strong and dominant dog but his aggression is never towards me. The two times he did bark at me when I corrected him during the "aus" I immediately corrected him for that by going through an obedience routine. In fact I tend to agree with Don, he works much better with motivation. Due to him being such a hard dog corrections can go totally unheaded. Would anyone know where or how I may get in touch with Ivan Balabnov? My dog loves to do the bite work and really gets motivated, obedience is somthing he does not get motivated. That's the way he is, and he is extremely people oriented and outgoing dog especially with kids, so don't want anyone to get the impression he is a loose cannon. Nothing can be further from the truth.

I can only respond to your initial post. If there were more factors involved then it was up to you to express that. A dog that challenges with a bark or growl successfullly will advance to other means. Additionally, why in the hell are you doing that on a public street? You are just sticking it in the face of people who want to ban bite work. Are you trying to help them? I just now looked at your film.

I don't have alot of experience nor claim to be an expert, but this is how we started with my dog. He too is a hard dog that is stimulated by certain types of "corrections". I think this would be a great place for you to start. At least to get him to UNDERSTAND what is expected. By having him back tied and a long line in the opposite direction he has no choice but to listen and no place to go. Notice the person manning the second line, no hard pops, she's just using the pressure in the opposite direction to form the "correction" (the helper must lock up with the backline tight). The dog gets rewarded for outing with another grip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfaxL7rRTv0 Good luck, Melanie

My apologies for my big ass being in the way of the video:-)

You should not be doing this on the side of a busy road. Once, the helper backed up and almost ran back into a car. Not safe, and not good publicity.

Seriously...are you referring to my video??? FYI, It was NOT taken by the side of a road, far from it! If you were talking about someone else, sorry.