Training "Out" command

[jelly8bean]

I've been consumed lately with summer school, but since my last final is Tuesday I seem to be doing alot of "study prevention" activities. (aka.. I should be studying, but so much better to catch up on Doberman hub :))
Anyway.. I want to move Indigo's training forward and teach her "out". I have started with her tug toy and trading for a kibble. I am also using this when I throw her giant tennis ball and again trade for kibble. I was wondering if this is the right way to go about it? I have taught her "leave it" pretty well, but "out" is more complex. Thoughts and suggestions?

[Dobs4ever]

Jelly8bean - That will work fine. With Gunner, Shrock, Viper, Ayla we play a lot of tuggy so the que was when I put both hands on the tuggy and pull it to my chest and all movement stops then I say OUST!! Gunner is of course the best but when both hands touch the tuggy he immediatley releases. Hope that makes sense. I use that because usually the judge says "take it" and you put both hands on it to oust.

[Sue J]

Hey Jelly! I was wondering what you had been up to! Good seeing you back on the hub. Sounds like Indigo has totally and completely recovered, yeh:) Good luck on your final.

[Big Dogs]

Dobes4ever is right on with the two handed approach it helps give a visual signal to set up the command, your approach is fine jelly we also use the two hand approach as it helps distinguish and set up the command before it is given verbally. Good luck.

[jelly8bean]

Humm.. my only issue is that I have to use two hands to keep ahold of the tug in the general way. I can try to add bringing it up to my chest.. but it is abit hard against Indigo's pull. Maybe once she starts to get the idea I can work these in.

[Dobs4ever]

Jelly8bean - when the motion stops she will stop tugging mostly and you can pull it to your chest or tummy if that is high as you can go. This allows you to brace if she tugs and hold it still til she releases. I have also taken hold of the lead then and put pressure on her collar with one of the hands that is on the tuggy as this will combined with the two hand encourage her to oust. Don't you wish we had 4 hands?????

[jelly8bean]

we are starting to get it. I have the tug.. I say "take it" and give it to her. (keeping a couple of little treats hidden in my hand). Then I am pulling up (generally with her attached - when my front feet leave the ground is the fun part isn't it!!!) and use one hand to try to hold and take the treat hand to her face and say "Out". She drops it and gets the treat. I'm doing this about 4-5 times in a row then putting the toy away for other play. Hopefully this will end up with your outcome of the 2 hand raised to chest "out" command. :)

[Dravens]

I also use both hands on the tug. I pull the tug against my legs at dog face height and it becomes dead. I give the oust command and hold the tug tight against my legs to keep the dog from pulling it away or moving it. The reason I pull it against my body is to help keep the dog from continuing to fling the toy and my arm with it playing by itself. I don't have the strength to keep it from moving with a dobe trying to move it if it's not against your body. I only give the oust command once and then I brace the toy to take the 'life' out of it and wait them out until they finally release. Ivan Balabanov shows how to have another person nag the dog by pulling on the leash if you have one that simply refuses to out the tug by waiting them out. The main thing is to not repeat the command and to keep the tug dead, don't try to pull the toy from the dog.

[Dobs4ever]

JUst my thought because I am not sure what you mean but I never want the dog to drop the tug. This can lead to them dropping it in the ring. If I never allow the dog to drop it but to always wait til I give the command with both hands on it then In ever have to worry about the dog dropping it in the ring. I might have misunderstood what you meant by drop it. If I did please forgive!!! I just never allow the dog to release the tug or dumbbell until I have both hands on it and give the command.

[Big Dogs]

I would give you one word of advice when I first start to teach this command two a new dog especially one with a high drive I hold it out just a little from my body if I'm using a tug toy that way if they decide to get a second hold you don't get a little nip. It's one of those things you don't think about until it happens but it does leave a good mental imprint on you. LOL