Originally Posted by
indybindy
Probably an unpopular opinion on this forum (although not at all unpopular with 97% of the rest of the dog fancy) but I would think stop dragging this out and get it taught.
I'm all for going slow and shaping stuff...but it's not working. Open his mouth, put a bumper in. If he spits it out, open his mouth again and put the bumper in. If he spits it out again, open his mouth and put the bumper in. He'll figure it out, praise when he keeps it there.
My puppy learned a reliable hold (at 4.5 months) in 1 day. My older dog learned a hold as an adult...he was reliable in 2 days.
Sometimes shaping drags things out longer than it should. Easier and much less frustrating to the dog to just give them some gentle direction and get the job done. Then move on to more fun stuff!