Improving dog's grip?

Hello everyone,

my first post here. I have a pitbull mix, that is very active and jumps a lot. But is seems that her prey drive is very low. She's not interested in a tug or a ball or any other toy when outside. She just enjoys sniffing around. Although, as she likes to jump, if i put the tug on a tree (and keep it loose), she will go, jump and grab it on command. But if the tug is fixed to the tree - she will not hang there. It will be released immediately.
Is there a way to "teach" a dog to hold on to the tug? I am interested in trying her out in a local dog competition. But there the dog has to hold on to the tug for at least 3 seconds for the jump to be registered.

Any advice or additional info would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Here's a short clip how she jumps for the ball:

 

I had an AB that wouldn't tug FOR SHIT!! Decent prey drive, not "high." He held on when it counted tho! He chased off a couple stray dogs, after they got loose from his mouth. I drops leash on strays if they get too close. Killed, then ate a rabbit and a rat the size of a rabbit lol. I was cool pickin up the rabbit, that rat freaked me out. I'mma pussy when it comes to rodents sadly. Basically, some tug some don't. Tug and hanging don't translate to real work. If the dog does everything else you want, be happy with it

 

Prey drive can be developed. Try naturally cured cow hide attached a flirt pole. Hides are tasty and safe for the dog to grip. And you can continue to build on that nice jump, speed and agility with the flirt pole. Once the dog enjoys taking the hide, she should get competitive with it

Hide and jute bite wedge pictured. Full mouth grips. 1-3 minute drills.

 

Thanks for the replies. I understand that some dogs have that in them, and some don't. But I was thinking about building that grip and drive up specially for a few activities that I find interesting. I will try to order the cow hide, cause I can't find any locally. Maybe that will work. I tried working with the jute tug, but I might have been overworking. How often do you think I should repeat the sessions? Because I think she would be interested in it for a couple minutes. I thought that it should be at least ten, so she just lost interest.
Here's a short clip of her tugging a small synthetic jute tug:

 

Ive always used the flirt pole to build drive....then you move on to short tug sessions. Make a game out of it and always let the dog "win". Finish the game by letting him take the tug and give him lots of praise. After that, take the tug away for a while and play again later. Pretty simple and it might sound cheesy, but dogs are simple and cheesy.

 

I always liked introducing dogs to new things via old seasoned dogs,,,
allow an older dog thats good at what you are seeking show the young dog the ropes...

some dogs learn great this way and are very competitive,,,
if not towards others sometimes they will be competitive for your affection...

so praise the older dog and make the young one jealous,,,
the bond with man should succumb the young dog...

reward them and read into them and take it away before they loose interest,,,
start with small work outs and gradually increase...

prey drive and play drive are two different things that can be the same if the dog enjoys prey drive...

another way to get them to work something with their mouth is finding what they like to chew on most,,,
some like cotton ropes,,, some cow hides etc...

I had a dog that was tennis ball fanatic and i drilled a hole threw a ball and threaded a nylon rope threw it,,,
the dog would chase it for hours and could work it descent when she caught it...

I found the brand penn made a better ball that lasted longer but I still had to replace them often,,,
this bitch learned to not destroy intact tennis balls as play time was over...

The constant chewing on the durable ball made for an extremely strong jaw on this dog,,,
and i feel if the dog is good with a tennis ball that is a better way to build a jaw muscle
just like the hand exercise equipment for humans...

I do think the springpole works differently and wouldnt rule that out,,,
coupled with a good ol tennis ball and the right training makes for a supreme mouth strength...

I am a firm believer you can build jaw muscles and also can deteriorate them just as quick,,,
the worse is when someone takes their dog out with less mouth than they had with out any work outs...

some dogs refuse to do any mouth work,,,
some dogs just need the right training and tools...

 

All given tips are good!
How old is the dog? Some mature later than other, just saying.
I have a dog that I could hit with toys as he was 1, now at 3 he is completely nuts about he always hurt me at playing lol.

 

Thank you for the replies, some very good info here. Will try the method with another dog. Her father has very good mouth, he hangs on the tug toy for more than an hour, so I think it will be a good role model.
The dog is almost 2,5 years old. So it's not a puppy anymore, but I hope it's never too late to start.

 

If you want hide ask at a local abattoir, I put tug toys in with the ferrets or rodents to get the scent for a day or two if a dogs not to eager. Add a spring or a bungee cord when you attach the tug and she'll enjoy it more and gain more enthusiasm. If you get excited and encourage her vocally when she's on it it won't take her long to get more focused.