Fun for the dog
- Thread starter Ravenbird
- Start date
That does look fun for her! I doubt it would be either of my Doberman's cup of tea, although one of them could surprise me if we tried it? It's really neat to see Asha doing what she loves to do!
What is the first step in training for that? Is there something affordable i can try at home to find out if Zastava has any interest? There's lots of bite sports on her father's side and at least a little on her mother's side. I guess i would also have to find someone willing to be on the other end of a Doberman, too, which, not a single person comes to mind. 
Start by playing tug with her yourself. If you've not done any tug games with her at all you can get one with handles and run a rope around one end to drag it on the ground for her to chase and catch. When she gets it you reel her toward you with the rope and hopefully she'll hang on tight (possession) and then you can take each end of it in your hands to pull. When she grips tighter and fights to keep it, you let go (she wins!) and that's what you build on. Think of it like this: Tug is prey, trying to not be caught, she catches it (win #1), you try to take it, she fights to keep it and you let go (win #2). She will learn to love this if she's game for it, and begin to bring it back to you to start all over again. If she doesn't bring it back, grab the rope end and reel her in toward you and make it fun for her by tugging and inviting her to fight for it again. Wins should be frequent, games should be short and always put the toy away in a drawer or closet so it becomes special and only happens with you. Michael Ellis has some free videos on working with puppies, but you have a grown dog, so much of the beginner stuff would be done differently, but his theory of bite work training is really really informative. Fun is the main thing. Play tug daily for a week and see how game she is. You want the bite to be deep in the molars, not the front teeth. I would never let her win if she's not got a full grip. Usually it's genetic, but you can teach/encourage it by holding still giving her a chance to re-bite deeper and the second she does that, let go letting her win the tug.
I'd use something like this to start:
redlinek9.com
if it looks exciting to you (and her!) start reading the Schutzhund threads - I'm sure I asked a million questions and posted videos of starting Asha there. It was covid years so I was working on my own. To move forward she must have obedience, I know you have the basics down, but for bite work it's a must. I'll post more later about some ideas I got for working dogs at home with obedience and bitey rewards.
I'd use something like this to start:
Bite Suit Tugs - 3" Wide
All Redline K-9 Bite Suit Tugs are made from the same high quality French Linen used in K-9 bite suits. French Linen is a very durable material while at the same time providing a soft inviting surface for your dog to sink its teen into. This smaller size tug is a particular favorite for young dogs.
redlinek9.com
if it looks exciting to you (and her!) start reading the Schutzhund threads - I'm sure I asked a million questions and posted videos of starting Asha there. It was covid years so I was working on my own. To move forward she must have obedience, I know you have the basics down, but for bite work it's a must. I'll post more later about some ideas I got for working dogs at home with obedience and bitey rewards.
Got this same tip from an old gun dog guy/dobe handler on the other forum: "try tug drive"
Turned out to be Bonnies jam- lightbulb came on for us both- she loves it and we use it as both training reward and just plain fun.
She's gone from afraid of water to swimming past the break to retrieve her floaty kong on a rope that she performs for BO commands for a tug reward. On trail if she gets bored she'll find her own stick to bring to me for a tug and reward.
Now using tug to train SD tasks...cane retrieve, etc. and have paid for and got some excellent help from old school AKC CDX competitor....to sharpen up BO by training me better...
Just like in the pro's- hitting the batting cage, always gotta work on the basics.
Turned out to be Bonnies jam- lightbulb came on for us both- she loves it and we use it as both training reward and just plain fun.
She's gone from afraid of water to swimming past the break to retrieve her floaty kong on a rope that she performs for BO commands for a tug reward. On trail if she gets bored she'll find her own stick to bring to me for a tug and reward.
Now using tug to train SD tasks...cane retrieve, etc. and have paid for and got some excellent help from old school AKC CDX competitor....to sharpen up BO by training me better...
Just like in the pro's- hitting the batting cage, always gotta work on the basics.
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There are a lot of good working stuff convo's archived here...I find myself reading back over the years, and really appreciate yours and others updates, @Ravenbird.
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