My Malinois, who is 6 years old, didn't like to give up her toys because she was afraid the game will be over if I take the toy from here. So there are two methods I've been using to get a nice, reliable out.

First method was playing the game with TWO toys. If she came back with one but wouldn't release it once I had my hand on it, or wouldn't come close enough for me to grab it, I would show her the second toy. That usually got her to drop the first one and then I would chuck the second one for her to chase and pick up the first one to repeat the game.

Second method is simply not pulling against the toy to be released. She is very good about coming to me but wasn't always good about releasing the toy, especially a tug or ball. Holding the toy close to her muzzle, I would put it up against my leg and simply hold it STILL. Not tugging against it to yank it away from her, which makes a lot of dogs get really into this game of "who's stronger". Simply holding it close to me and STILL until she let go. Then reward by playing the game again, throwing a toy, etc.

With my husband, she's not always willing to bring a toy. She will come close for him to reach for it, then back up and "tease" him and try to get him to chase her. That's something he needs to work on. I've found that simply ignoring her until she comes up to where you can put a hand on the toy and ask for it to be released (or use the method above) works best.

Most dogs who try to run away with the toy just want you to engage them in play. If you ignore them, it's not working. They need to figure out other ways to get you playing with them. Like bringing the toy TO you so you can grab it. Ignoring your dog can be a pretty good correction for unwanted behaviors.

 

I had the same problem with one of my dogs. I would use the 2-toy play. (identical toys) Throw one, bring back, told to drop, throw other. Took time for him to understand, but he started to drop it looking for the throw with the other. Then start to eliminate second toy, but not the command of drop it. No problem now, it took time though. Just a suggestion...

 

the 2 toy is a great idea.... Cody at first would chase the 2nd toy with the 1st one still in his mouth. then he'd get to the toy i threw and either try to get both in his mouth, or stand there trying to decide which one to bring back...i had to laugh. he did catch on

 

Tried the same toy idea...didn't really work. He won't release the one in his mouth for the toy I have. He will chase the one I have and pick it up and bring it back...but then won't release it.

He just doesn't really care about ANYTHING I have...as long as he has the toy in his mouth. That goes for other toys, treats, and everything.

 

Milkmoney....try when he is calm inside just practicing giving a toy to him and then telling him out or whatever the command is....soon as he releases it PRAISE him and give it right back....and do it over and over maybe 6-10 times....this seems to be helping w/Jake and he is the same age. When we are outside he is much more reluctant to "OUT". But he seems to do it more each time we practice...

 

I use two toys if I'm just playing fetch, but not if I'm training. When training I do my best to immobilize the toy firm against my thigh so it's "out of play" and no more fun. As soon as the dog releases I mark the behavior and then play again (either throw the toy or present it for tugging).

 

teach him "come".

teach him "leave it" or
whatever command you
want for the release.

ripping the toy out of his
mouth could cause harm
to his mouth/teeth.

 

If you use the two toy method pray your GSD doesn't decide to cram both toys in mouth and refuse to release,lol My lab is famous for running around double balled- though he does drop it on command. Your pup is trying to play a game with you and is still young. If you aren't going to compete in anything later down the road why not play back? I would chase, run away from, and even fetch my own stick with Zoe to teach her our playtime was fun. She drops it now, but didn't always at that age and the more you want them to drop it- the less likely they are sometimes. Make a big goof out of yourself- love your own ball and ignore him while you run and play with it! He'll join in wanting to play back and end up dropping his toy for yours. Then mark the good behavior and have fun.

 

I just don't really think it's fun to chase him. For one, he's way faster than me and I can rarely catch him. Also, once I do catch him, he just wants to play tug. He's pretty content just sitting there with the flying squirrel in his mouth. It's not like the second I turn my back and ignore him he comes running. He will sit there for 5 minutes before he comes up to me. Plus, I love watching him jump and catch the flying squirrel. Just like a pro.

He knows the come command...does it all the time flawlessly, even when chasing an animal. It's just this **** flying squirrel toy he has an obsession with.

He drops all his other toys fine. His ball, his stuffed animals, everything else. For some reason he just loves this one particular toy more than life itself. I have to make sure it is somewhere out of sight from the sliding glass door and window or he will just sit there and whine until I let him out to get it.

It's like an opiate...

 

First I taught 'drop it' then used the two frisbee ploy- when he brings one back he had to drop it before I'll throw the other one. He still likes to hang on to it until I say the words, but he'll do it.

 

My dogs never relinquish a toy without the release command. And since my release command is in Dutch, visitors have the darnest time play fetch with them.

A well known Malinois trainer taught me how to train it with my first dog. And this first dog was very good at "2 ball", but would not release by command any other time.

You train it using a game of tug. Play tug and get the dog happy, then, without releasing your end of the toy, stop playing and give the toy slack while giving the release (Out, Aus, Los, whatever you want to use) command.

The dog will naturally want to reengage you in the game, but stay as calm as possible an keep the slack. (I do not repeat commands.) You may have to move with the dog to keep the slack. The first time is the hardest and you may have to wait a while, but eventually the dog will get confused and let go. The second he lets go, PRAISE, and start the game of tug again. Immediately! Repeat several times.

Each time will get easier and faster and the dog learns that when he lets go the game is not ending. Eventually, you do have to keep the toy and end the game, though. When in the training phase, at this point I may try to distract with a nice treat.

Always have fun with your dog while training!

ETA: Balto and I were out exploring this spring and he found a baby Killdeer (bird) in a parking lot in an industrial park. He herded it a little and then picked it up in his mouth. I was about 40 feet away and knew I wouldn't reach him before he ate it or killed it. I thought for sure the bird was a goner. I yelled, "Balto!...LOS!" and he dropped the little bird immediately. It ruffled its feathers and started walking away. Balto did not pick it up again and I got to him and leashed him. I watched for a while to see if it was really okay, and it seemed fine. Of course the parent birds were in the vicinity trying to distract us.

 

You train it using a game of tug. Play tug and get the dog happy, then, without releasing your end of the toy, stop playing and give the toy slack while giving the release (Out, Aus, Los, whatever you want to use) command.

The dog will naturally want to reengage you in the game, but stay as calm as possible an keep the slack. (I do not repeat commands.)

Thanks. This sounds intriguing. I'll give it a try and let you know how we are progressing.

 

Remind me not to buy one then,lol I would use a toy you know he will drop to really imprint drop it and not worry about his obsession with this one. If you asked for a bite of my cheesecake I wouldn't drop it either, but I'll share anything else. Hopefully it's a faze and he realizes his once prized toy is like all the rest

 

Also, I would keep a long line on the dog when playing with this toy to prevent him from playing keep away. Nothing wrong with keeping the line on until this phase of his training is complete.
Sue

 

Do you just recommend "reeling him in" then when he starts to play keep away?

Once I do this, what do I do once he's reeled in. He still won't release the toy. What do I do at this point?

Something that worked earlier this morning was using treats and praising every time he let go, then I would give the toy right back to him (so he knew I wasn't taking it). This worked perfect...until the hot dog pieces were gone.

He got about 10 little hot dog bites out of this in 25 seconds, but it was progress. (Before anyone says "You really shouldn't feed him that much hot dog, it's not good for him" the pieces are cut so small that 10 pieces is about 1/5 of a hot dog.)

 

I am working with Jake just sitting on the floor with giving him the toy and then OUT, then give it back....and so on....seems to help a bit. I dont treat every time maybe every third or so. The reward is getting the toy back!

 

This is a good idea - teach him what the command MEANS in a less stimulating environment. Once he'll immediately give up the toy on command, then you can add throwing and bringing it back to you to the picture. I think it helps to generalize your command too, use a tug toy, a low value bone (nylabone, etc.), a ball, a frisbee toy of some sort, lots of different things.

At 6 months old he probably doesn't really understand what he's supposed to be doing, he just knows that running around with a toy is fun.