Bear's first time off leash!! ... She wont drop things when told

[borzoimom]

To open a large dogs mouth- you did what you should. There is a spot on the gum above the canine- the skin is soft and if you apply pressure- they will open their mouths. Its like a muzzle pressure point- even used by vets to open the jaw of a dog under anethesia..
Take your hand on top the of the muzzle = with thumb on one canine lip area, pinky finger on the other side- gently press and say drop. The dog will let go- and as soon as the dog does- praise. Even offer another toy instead. ( pig ears withstanding but something else would work as well).
This is also the same part of the muzzle a dominant dog would mouth a subdominant dog. Do not apply much pressure- be sensitive when it opens. Attaching a brief video using hottie as a model to show you what I mean. View My Video

[king2005]

To open a large dogs mouth- you did what you should. There is a spot on the gum above the canine- the skin is soft and if you apply pressure- they will open their mouths. Its like a muzzle pressure point- even used by vets to open the jaw of a dog under anethesia..
Take your hand on top the of the muzzle = with thumb on one canine lip area, pinky finger on the other side- gently press and say drop. The dog will let go- and as soon as the dog does- praise. Even offer another toy instead. ( pig ears withstanding but something else would work as well).
This is also the same part of the muzzle a dominant dog would mouth a subdominant dog. Do not apply much pressure- be sensitive when it opens. Attaching a brief video using hottie as a model to show you what I mean. View My Video

Thank you so much!

I was pretty close at do it like that.. I was a bit closer to Bears face, so I guess thats why I had to add a little more pressure... but now I know the sweet spot & will show the guys & start using it on her tonight with a pigs ear & other random things.

This is wonderful news
I know she'll pick it up fast, as shes sooo darn smart & loves to please for kisses, pats & hugs.

[borzoimom]

One more thing- the second the dog gives in, you release this as you saw in the video.. ( Borzois are drama queens- if this hurt him- you would have known it reallll quick!- its just a pressure point but better than getting into a tug of war..)

[BC_MoM]

Just another tip... don't overpraise! These are life essentials and things that will need to be followed the rest of Bear's life.

[borzoimom]

Exactly- as you noticed I only said good boy.. I did not say drop it because if I had, he would have opened his mouth and you would not have seen how to do it.. The words " drop it" should be said as well..

[king2005]

Exactly- as you noticed I only said good boy.. I did not say drop it because if I had, he would have opened his mouth and you would not have seen how to do it.. The words " drop it" should be said as well..

I don't have sound on my work PC saddly.. but now I know

Thank you guys so much for the tips

[Freedom]

I want to see TWO videos. The first is . . . a human repeatedly carrying a dog off the human's seat to the doggie sofa, only to have the dog rush back and beat the human to the first seat. Over and over. Like you said you did.

Next, I want to see the crate when it arrives. Because I have a feeling that, if given his choice, Mr. Biggles will have YOU in it!

Seriously, it does sound as though you are on the right track with both of them. And that is GREAT!!!

Only thing I am NOT sure of, is can you as alpha dictate which of them is higher in rank? I know you can insist Bear be first, in eating, praise, going out, coming in' but that is not rank. I always thought the human is the alpha and then the pack works out the rest between them. Maybe someone has some info on this, as I saw you wrote you want Mr. Biggles to learn he is at the bottom of the rank. Just not sure that is your decision, it may be between the 2 of them.