Grip and nerves. - Page 1

My female, who is now one year, has just come up and takes her work very seriously. She incorporates too much defense into her work, and is NOT a booty dog. She concentrates on the helper, and just the helper. Because she brings so much defense into her protection, her grips are usually somewhat shallow, I think the fact that she never really had much prey drive to begin with, and mostly dived into protection with defense, she hasn't had the chance to develop grips like alot of dogs do. She loves playing with the tug, with me, and holds on well to it, and does not release unless I tell her to out.

Have any of you experienced this in a dog? If not, what do you do to help a dog's grip? Hope to start a good discussion on grips, and nerves.

-Emily.

What did you do with her as a puppy, as well as now,  to develop her prey drive both off and on the field? What specifically have you tried that didn't work and what has the decoy tried?  How long have you been working the dog?  

Give the Pup time, she is still learning

Steve

C

Since she likes the tug, when she has a bite keep tension on it and keep tension holding both ends, release the tension while you still have control of it in your hands and have her regrip getting a full bite. When she regrips with a full bite release the tug immediately without a command. Timing is important. It should become clear to her that she gets her reward with a full grip. Repeat the process.

What is her pedigree?

Diva Vom Frauengarten.

I bought her somewhat older, maybe.. 8 months? I can't quite remember. Lol. Before then, it was said that not much work was done, but what was showed promise. At home, during obedience we use a toy. I get her hyped up and she is a NUT for it. Unlike my male, she'll run around with it when I let her win, then come back and wait for me to play some more. Concerning protection, when we first got her, we did the basic technique of moving the toy, trying to get some prey drive built up. That went horrible. She would act indifferent, sniff the grass, and sometimes go after it very half heartedly. Bites weren't ever really good. I was really prepared to get rid of her, and debated it over a few months until she lit up as soon as he brought some defense in as a last resort to my rehoming her.

I think we will go back a couple steps and just play around with her. She is starting to get the game, now. But that doesn't mean she likes the decoy any more..

-Emily.

Emily,

Also, when your helper brings defense this "messes" with the trust the dog has for the decoy.  She needs to learn to trust the decoy and along with all the other suggestions things should come together over a little time!  All full grips are not genetic, your girl may just need a little help......also does the decoy give good presentation?  Sleeve presentation is VERY important in all dogs but young ones especially!  Does he let her "win" the sleeve with anything except a full grip?  She ONLY should win the sleeve if the grip is full, get her to re-adjust her grip before the decoy lets her take the sleeve!  Maybe work her up with some miss bites and get her all frusterated, then give her a grip. 

Vickie

www.PowerHausKennels.com

You could try to split the work. Take her out on a line and have the helper stand still. Let her bark defensive at him. Pull her backwards while telling her that she is great. Let her go slowly with you forward again and have her now slowly push the helper backwards. Now praise her and put her away.  She never gets a bite in this session. Take her out later for a new session with only prey used for the bites. Splitting the work will help build her solidly in both drives. This does work very well. Some dogs need months of this work to be clear in both drives.

RealCold,

Nice suggestions!

Vickie

www.PowerHausKennels.com