Catch Dog RE-GRIP......your thoughts.......

[Black Gold]

A catch dog that re-grips.......there are usually 2 schools of thought here.....those that think it is a dog being smart abd using his head and those that feel it is a weakness and not a desired trait......I'd like to hear what you think.

Some more detail and my views:

A catch dog is caught and during the catch releases for a split second to get a better grip/bite on the hog......the hogs ear could be tearing or the original bite could be less than perfect and the dog is getting a better hold.  Some say that a catch dog that re-grips is using his head and choosing an opportune time to re-grip on his terms and not on the hogs terms when he is flung off because of a bad lock.  Others say this is a weakness in the dog and they don't want a catch dog that will ever release no matter what the circumstances.

This intrigues me highly and I have had this conversation with many over this topic.  I look for it in every catch I see both in real life and on video.....

Personally I believe that if a catch dog can accomplish a re-grip in a split second and not loose control of the situation then I feel that he is using his head and positioning himself to remain injure free and in control......Let me be clear here....If a catch dog would release and then back up or bark or not re-engage immediately I would get rid of him......I only admire the action when the re-catch is done in a split second.

Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences with this.

[pig snatcher]

Undesirable;  such things are the differance between a dog that will catch hogs and a catch dog.

[Scott]

Re-gripping or typewriter mouth = cull 

[Noah]

I don't mind IF it accomplishes something, i.e. a more solid hold, but I hate when they're just chewing instead of holding.  My main CD tends to re-grip a little on smaller hogs(I think just because she knows she can afford to play around a little) but progressively grips harder the bigger they get.

Then I've used dogs that would lock on the last tip of the ear... making you real hesitant to go diving in there because they wouldn't re-grip and get a better hold.

[Mike]

I always say, I like a smart catch dog... mines made six years on hundreds of hogs.

If a dog needs a to get a better grip and knows how to do it in that split second... I don't fault it at all. As long as that hog is under control at all times.

I think a lot more dogs do this than people realize. When you start watching actual catches closely, whether in the field or on video, you'll see more and more of this.

I'm like Noah, I don't want to run in on a big hog with a bulldog on the tip of the ear.

[Jeff]

I agree with Noah 100 percent. If a dog don't have a good hold, and DON'T regrip, THAT'S a fault in my opinion.  A dog that regrips for the heck of it, also a fault. 

I'm kinda concerned about my prospect.  8 month old dogo/pit.  First time, on a 50 pound shoat, he did great, and had to be broke off.  Second time, he caught a little striper that got loose from a trap and just chewed, never did lock down.  I'm hoping it's because "he knew he could afford to play around".

It's kinda funny we're discussing re-bites, and most folks believe the old wives' tale that a pit is not physically able to let go once he's bitten something - ridiculous ain't it?

[Noah]

JW, put that sucker on a big hog and I'll lay odds there's no chewing... 8 mnths is still awful young to expect too much though.

[Eric]

Some thing that I look for is that a dog goes in and catches hard, but is under control. Its just my opinion that if a dog goes in under control they get a better initial grip, which should cut back on them needing to re-grip. It also tends to cut back on dog injuries.

Although I like watching those catch dogs that hit so hard the hog and dog both go rolling , its not my preference to own.

I agree with Mike that more dogs do it than most people think. It just has to happen some times.

[pico]

I have a catch that's fairly new to me.  I haven't had him on many,  most have been in contolled situations.  Anyway on two small hogs he's caught he let go and re-positioned his mouth, but on two bigger hogs he stuck and never moved.  Hopefully he knows the difference, and does not let go of the bigger ones or he'll get the boot for sure.

[jhy]

Anything can happen in a split second, especially when it comes to catching hogs with dogs.  Nearly got ate up in a pen the other day training a bulldog on a smaller hog and she decided to regrip and he got away and nearly got me.  I remedied that by putting a big rank boar in there with her next and after a little bit of a whoopin by that hog we couldnt break her off that hogs ear.  Had to go ahead and mark the hog and let her have the ear.  ABs are notorious for being mouthy and I have broke them of that the same way and in PP work I use a garage spring or bungy rope and get just in reach where they have to stretch it out and bite and hold.  If they regrip they loose the bite all together and I dont give them another one for a day or two.  If a dog continues to be mouthy its your call if you want to take the chance, but you will not hunt it with me.

Joey

[Black Gold]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9e-zDPvnk4

Watch this bloom brothers clip....Pay attention to the time counter around 38 -39 seconds into it....The Black Dog is in the water with the big boar.....see that lightning fast re-grip.....that's what I'm referring to.....I think that is brains working there......