The Bite

THE BITE

Probably one of the biggest misconceptions in the world of the working dog today is pertaining the full mouth bite. Many law enforcement agencies believe the way a dog bites on a training field is the way he will bite in real life and death stress. They believe the full mouth bite avoids lawsuits. In fact a dog biting with full mouth is not serious at all. He may show excellent in a U.S.P.C.A. trial, yet very will make it on the street if they do not change over to a natural bite.

God in his divine wisdom gave the dog four large canines, as he did other predators in the animal kingdom. These canines were given to the dog for a reason. The dog naturally knows how to use them. When he is in a life and death scenario, he will use them naturally. He will not bite with his molars, he is fighting for his life and it is for this reason when we view actual bites that we see four puncture marks. A dog will not bite through a leather coat or heavy clothing with his molars. He bites a penetrating bite with his canines. This is why a dog, whether he is trained or not on a full mouth bite, when serious will bite with his canines. To try and make a dog bite defensively or seriously with his molars is like asking a fish to walk on dry land.

If a dog takes a full mouth bite in a real life scenario he will not stand up to the stress. It is only common sense that he must get serious. This is defensive drive. Thus he must choose flight or fight. If he chooses fight he will then fight in the manner he was created. The canines when being used do not indicate a weak or frightened dog. If this were true, every lion and every tiger that took down it's prey, would do so as a fear ridden animal.They would not be able to survive. This type of bite is natural. It cannot be trained. It is only broken or altered by a full mouth bite.

We must learn to work with a dog naturally by communication and stabilization. What appears to be nervous or shy in a dog on a sporting field, because they refuse to bite unnaturally, is usually actually the best dog for the job. A dog cannot crunch and digest its food with its canines. So why do we, foolish creatures we are, ask them to bite with their molars? It is only through education that we will separate truth from fantasy. We as trainers must seek the truth, whether we have to admit we were wrong or not. The biggest hurdle between the truth and the lie is the human desire to be right, even by ignoring the natural true evidence.

By stabilizing the dog and the handler and utilizing the natural instincts and habits of the dog and man, we can build a team effective on the street for military or law enforcement or private citizen. There will be no excuses for the lack of natural ability. The bite, the scent, the agility, belongs to the dog. How can we train them to have it? We can't and yet in some forms of training we try to suppress it. If you believe a dog does not know the difference between a sleeve, a bite suit, a hidden sleeve, and bare flesh, you are greatly mistaken. Bring out a bite sleeve to a sporting dog. See what happens. Now imagine no sleeve, a real bite, and what's going to happen. When the sleeve is on the arm the dog will bite full mouth. Remove the sleeve, attack the handler, and confront the dog under stress. He will then run, bite with his canines or stand there barking. Because now it is real.

The lawsuits being faced today are mostly brought about by dogs that are being trained incorrectly. Most handlers and dogs are trained in prey. Neither one, in real life scenarious, when adrenaline is flowing, will realize what is happening. Stabilize the dog naturally and the handler and you will remove the unnecessary bites. The fact these dogs are not properly stabilized is the usually the cause of the bite. The fact the dog will bite naturally is the reason for proper training and stabilizing in real life scenarios. The U.S.P.C.A. and Schutzhund fields do not matter in this situation, unless your life is on the line. Then the truth matters.

E-mail Mike with questions or comments.