Teaching the out

[eSPO]

Butch, lets say yor dog has now developed a nice bite, he is comfortable, deep and full. He doesnt have an out because he has not been taught an out. What is the best method in your opinion?

[ButchCappel]

Well, just be glad you are teaching a Presa and not a Mal or GSD.

If I am lucky enough to ge the dog in my pupppy program I teach the out to the pup as I am showing the tug. But you said this dog already had a developed bite so that option is gone.

Let's start by teaching the command "from the ground" that is a horse training term that applies to teaching a colt or young horse something without the stress and excitement that can come from haveing a "rider on his back", only in this case it is "a decoy in his mouth".

Have the decoy step away as soon as they slip the sleeve or suit. if the dog carries for a step or 2 quickly ask him to "out" as he spits out the sleeve praise him. If the dog doesn't carry, then as soon as the sleeve is slipped, start tugging on the sleeve your self to get him to hold it for a short while then ask him to out. When the dog consistantly drops the sleeve on the out command, with no decoy stress present, we know the command is understood and it is time to add the decoy.

Have the decoy come into the dog with as little prey moves as possible.
With high prey the dog is less likely to release his "rabbit".

Give the bite in a defensive posture and quickly, with little stimulation, move up to the dog and take its' collar in hand. The decoy should then avoid all eye contact with the dog and stop fighting.

Give your out command and if the dog does not respond "push" the dog sharply "into" the decoy while repeating the out commmand.
When the dog releases pause briefly and then have the decoy move quickly into prey mode and give the dog a bite with a lot of prey stimulation. After a satisfactory fight slip the sleeve and quit for a while. Repeat as needed.

As you are getting the dog the idea that a quick release will get him another shot at the decoy begin to increase the time from the "out" to the rebite.

The more universally used, long line and correction method, will, even in a high enregy dog, cause a little loss of bite performance.
This system allows for a clear understanding of the command going in and gives a "reward" for obedience if done properly. It also means that, as the dog understood the command away from the decoy, it is fair for you to correct if he ignores the command on the decoy.