training tips?

[KittleRox 2,147]

I wouldn't be playing 'tug' with it. You'll end up getting a real hard mouthed dog and you wont be able to get game of it...............

Tug training is an excellent way to sort out any retrieving problems mate and won,t make the dog hard mouthed if done correctly

[paulus 26]

I wouldn't be playing 'tug' with it. You'll end up getting a real hard mouthed dog and you wont be able to get game of it...............

Tug training is an excellent way to sort out any retrieving problems mate and won,t make the dog hard mouthed if done correctly

makes them shake the fook out of what they catch, wose than getting bit by rats

[Lab 10,979]

I wouldn't be playing 'tug' with it. You'll end up getting a real hard mouthed dog and you wont be able to get game of it...............

Tug training is an excellent way to sort out any retrieving problems mate and won,t make the dog hard mouthed if done correctly

How can it be done correctly mate. You want the dog to retrieve but you play tug with it, praising the dog for ragging the dummy. The pup will take this over to retreiving game......you wont see that in the Gundog word, why is it different in Lurchers?..

[paulus 26]

better to use what ever motivates the dog food/praise ect and associate that with a good retrieve

[KittleRox 2,147]

I wouldn't be playing 'tug' with it. You'll end up getting a real hard mouthed dog and you wont be able to get game of it...............

Tug training is an excellent way to sort out any retrieving problems mate and won,t make the dog hard mouthed if done correctly

How can it be done correctly mate. You want the dog to retrieve but you play tug with it, praising the dog for ragging the dummy. The pup will take this over to retreiving game......you wont see that in the Gundog word, why is it different in Lurchers?..

ask Skycat cause I can,t be arsed lol, its a misconception though that it fxcks the dog up, I done a wee bit tug training with my collie cur last season because she was dropping the bunnys at my feet and they were fooking off then dog chasing/ catching them again and so on, it was doing my head in so i done a couple of sessions of tug training and she starting holding onto them long enough for me to take them from her mouth so it doe,s work, It didn,t make her any harder on the rabbits I can also see how it would help with a sighthoundy type which has no interest in picking the dummy up

[Lab 10,979]

better to use what ever motivates the dog food/praise ect and associate that with a good retrieve

Usually praise is enough but yes tip bits can bring things on.... I cant see where playing tug would benefit, recipe for a hard mouthed dog if ive ever heard it. And i'll add always take the squeak out any toy you decide to give your dog or you might just find you get a 'cruncher' as well........

[Lab 10,979]

I wouldn't be playing 'tug' with it. You'll end up getting a real hard mouthed dog and you wont be able to get game of it...............

Tug training is an excellent way to sort out any retrieving problems mate and won,t make the dog hard mouthed if done correctly

How can it be done correctly mate. You want the dog to retrieve but you play tug with it, praising the dog for ragging the dummy. The pup will take this over to retreiving game......you wont see that in the Gundog word, why is it different in Lurchers?..

ask Skycat cause I can,t be arsed lol, its a misconception though that it fxcks the dog up, I done a wee bit tug training with my collie cur last season because she was dropping the bunnys at my feet and they were fooking off then dog chasing/ catching them again and so on, it was doing my head in so i done a couple of sessions of tug training and she starting holding onto them long enough for me to take them from her mouth so it doe,s work, It didn,t make her any harder on the rabbits I can also see how it would help with a sighthoundy type which has no interest in picking the dummy up

Better ways than playing tug...........

[KittleRox 2,147]

I wouldn't be playing 'tug' with it. You'll end up getting a real hard mouthed dog and you wont be able to get game of it...............

Tug training is an excellent way to sort out any retrieving problems mate and won,t make the dog hard mouthed if done correctly

How can it be done correctly mate. You want the dog to retrieve but you play tug with it, praising the dog for ragging the dummy. The pup will take this over to retreiving game......you wont see that in the Gundog word, why is it different in Lurchers?..

ask Skycat cause I can,t be arsed lol, its a misconception though that it fxcks the dog up, I done a wee bit tug training with my collie cur last season because she was dropping the bunnys at my feet and they were fooking off then dog chasing/ catching them again and so on, it was doing my head in so i done a couple of sessions of tug training and she starting holding onto them long enough for me to take them from her mouth so it doe,s work, It didn,t make her any harder on the rabbits I can also see how it would help with a sighthoundy type which has no interest in picking the dummy up

Better ways than playing tug...........

I was skeptical as well and thought the same as you that it was a daft idea but it has its benefits

[Lab 10,979]

I wouldn't be playing 'tug' with it. You'll end up getting a real hard mouthed dog and you wont be able to get game of it...............

Tug training is an excellent way to sort out any retrieving problems mate and won,t make the dog hard mouthed if done correctly

How can it be done correctly mate. You want the dog to retrieve but you play tug with it, praising the dog for ragging the dummy. The pup will take this over to retreiving game......you wont see that in the Gundog word, why is it different in Lurchers?..

ask Skycat cause I can,t be arsed lol, its a misconception though that it fxcks the dog up, I done a wee bit tug training with my collie cur last season because she was dropping the bunnys at my feet and they were fooking off then dog chasing/ catching them again and so on, it was doing my head in so i done a couple of sessions of tug training and she starting holding onto them long enough for me to take them from her mouth so it doe,s work, It didn,t make her any harder on the rabbits I can also see how it would help with a sighthoundy type which has no interest in picking the dummy up

Better ways than playing tug...........

I was skeptical as well and thought the same as you that it was a daft idea but it has its benefits

I'm not saying it cant work mate...if it worked for you then great but playing tug with most dogs i'd say would increase the chances of a hard mouthed dog. Now of course in certain dogs i'd imagine thats a benefit but for rabbits and such like could just be a right pain in the arse.

[graham4877 1,181]

recall recall recall, get that in to it from day one. then retrieving some old socks.. then get it to stay/stand/ down/ little and often.. don't over do it as you'l sicken the pup

[skycat 6,173]

Lab> there is a massive difference in using a tool like tug training and simply encouraging a dog to 'rag' a dummy. Tug training, done properly, with all the relevant rules and commands put in place before you begin, really encourages a dog to bring its catch right to you. The thing is, you train the dog to grab the dummy on command, and you also teach the 'give' or 'leave it' command. This way, you stay in control of the game at all times. Dogs love the game because it taps into their drive and gives them a lot of fun using natural behaviour at the same time as being up close and physical with you.

 

When it comes to catching real rabbits, the dog is already 'conditioned' to bring something back to you in order to feel good and fulfilled. In fact, since I've been using this training aid, as I'd call it, I've never had young dogs try and shake or rag their first catches, something which happened from time to time in the past, before I started tug training.

It is particularly useful with excitable, high drive pups, as they learn to self control: they sit, waiting for the command to reach for the tug toy, and they learn to give it straight away because giving the toy up to you is simply a step in the game which results in more fun, tugging and retrieving for them. Unless you have seen it in action, it might seem to be contrary to most traditional types of dog training, but believe me, it works much better than any other bonding, or retrieving training I've ever done in the past.

 

If you're interested, I can send email you the 4 articles I wrote about how to do it. You can also Google tug training: there are loads of videos etc on it.

[sikastag_1 689]

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Edited September 3, 2019 by grant_c

[sikastag_1 689]

Double

Edited August 2, 2012 by grant_c

[sikastag_1 689]

Triple post

Edited August 2, 2012 by grant_c

[Casso 1,261]

better to use what ever motivates the dog food/praise ect and associate that with a good retrieve

Usually praise is enough but yes tip bits can bring things on.... I cant see where playing tug would benefit, recipe for a hard mouthed dog if ive ever heard it. And i'll add always take the squeak out any toy you decide to give your dog or you might just find you get a 'cruncher' as well........

lab, if we take a close look at dogs we will find they are completely orally driven, mouthing is the first compulsion from any pup , its natures way for the canine to connect with the world and its also the best way to interact that creates an understanding

 

there is more to it than just the play , we as owners become access to prey for the dog, we become more prey like to the dogs mind and the dog begins to tune us in because we are access to his most primitive and pleasurable connection,

 

we become his avenue to drive and normally when a running dog is in drive he is running away from us, it gets a dog up close and personal in the same mindset usually controlled by prey , that why its so difficult to call a dog off in flight he is in drive and controlled by a prey animal, but being able to control that normally uncontrollable state of mind is a real handle on controlling the dog,

 

it creates a dog that wants to listen , that listens out for commands that might evoke drive , a dog in drive is in complete harmony with its environment us included, i use a tug item as a reward only after getting heel ,recall , down stay not for treats , treats cant override drive but because the dog is in pursuit of pleasure

 

its a interaction as a reward mainly used in sporting dog world, my father used it with protection dogs , i began using it with running dogs with no ill effects the main reason been the dog wants to listen , wants to stay in line, wants to obey if the reward is tug play , as far as im concerned its the best active interaction you can have with a runner,

 

ive been flogging it on here for a while and some folk are having positive results but it should be done a certain way , you play and let the dog win every time he brings the item back to play again he wins again , eventually with the item you look for actions from the mutt, sit , stay recall, whatever, the bottom line is you will be then training your dog in drive like a gun dog bred to take instruction unlike most running dogs,

it create a pleasurable environment where a dog wants to learn , and there is no quicker mindset to learn in than drive,