Any advice on getting a green Military working dog to out the Kong?

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 15:20:59 -0500

I’m a green handler who just got put on a green dog. I’ve tried giving her a correction but it seems the only way I can get her to out is if I escape her off. She drops the Kong for Kong transfers but my trainers don’t want me to do that.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Feb 16 at 2023 3:34 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 15:34:07 -0500

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member I'll see if my wife has any suggestions. She has trained many dogs for obedience and got numerous obedience and field titles with our golden retrievers. Whoever assigned this dog to you probably shouldn't have put a green dog with a green handler. (my opinion for what it's worth)

Response by SGT Gerald “Jerry” Harrell made Feb 16 at 2023 4:39 PM

SGT Gerald “Jerry” Harrell — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 16:39:52 -0500

How long have you had the dog? Will he not come off the bite or is it also the recall? There are a few things I can think of if it is the recall as well as coming off the bite.
Have you had the dog long enough to build a good rapport?

Response by SGT Gerald “Jerry” Harrell made Feb 16 at 2023 4:43 PM

SGT Gerald “Jerry” Harrell — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 16:43:43 -0500

LMAO! I didn’t read the Kong part. Have you tried the constant pressure on the choke chain while giving the command? (Avoidance Training)

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Feb 16 at 2023 5:28 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 17:28:56 -0500

No Offense, I am sure that many handlers will advise you, the best you can get right now is from your trainings. It is their job to ensure the Team is trained and qualified. Ask for help, it is a sign of intelligence, we all need a hand sometimes. It will also get you closer to the cadre who may be a valuable asset down the pipe.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2023 9:14 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 21:14:21 -0500

Is the Kong a reward? Perhaps switch to food? Use a second Kong to coax her into releasing the one in her mouth using the verbal command "drop" as she is releasing the kong and presenting the second kong as a reward for dropping first. Rense and repeat using variable reward schedule to enforce behavior. During my career as a dog handler, I learned that the best-trained dogs were the result of positive reinforcement.