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The Retrieve

Elizabeth Balcomb

Well-Known Member
Hi everyone. I would love to know if anyone has seen or knows of a cc that has a perfect retrieve. Lupo has a high prey drive, and will fetch, I'm working on getting g him to hold it, but it's not easy. I would love some advice on teaching him to sit and hold the dumbell till I take it...
 

Loverboy Skyline

Well-Known Member
When I trained with a Schutzhund club, one problem I had was my dog mouthing the dumbbell. They told me to play tug of war with the dumbbell so he gets in the habit of biting down on it. It worked. Did you try that?
 

Elizabeth Balcomb

Well-Known Member
When I trained with a Schutzhund club, one problem I had was my dog mouthing the dumbbell. They told me to play tug of war with the dumbbell so he gets in the habit of biting down on it. It worked. Did you try that?
You know, I attached a rope to it this afternoon, and have been dragging it around and playing tug, and it's working. I think I'm going to go slowly backwards from there. He wants to lie down and chew it. It's a very hard plastic.. it's hard to not feel frustrated, and he being such a delicate boy, picks up on that so quick. I sometimes wonder what's the point, I just have to keep reminding myself that we do it for the fun of learning.. for both of us. He just really needs the socializing of training. He does love the agility part of it...
Thanks loverboy skyline!
 

Loverboy Skyline

Well-Known Member
You know, I attached a rope to it this afternoon, and have been dragging it around and playing tug, and it's working. I think I'm going to go slowly backwards from there. He wants to lie down and chew it. It's a very hard plastic.. it's hard to not feel frustrated, and he being such a delicate boy, picks up on that so quick. I sometimes wonder what's the point, I just have to keep reminding myself that we do it for the fun of learning.. for both of us. He just really needs the socializing of training. He does love the agility part of it...
Thanks loverboy skyline!
That sounds like a good idea. My American Bulldog didn't drop it, he was just mouthy. When he came to me with the dumbbell I would start playing tug-of-war. Then when he had a good grip on it I would give my command to drop the dumbbell. After a few times, I didn't have to play tug-of-war anymore.
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
Elizabeth, I'll ask my daughter. Otis (boxer) was trained to be a service dog and was taught to retrieve things and hold them until she said to release. I know you've used the clicker before and I know she taught him to "hold" and "out" with a clicker. I thought I had a video of him holding, but I can't seem to find it.
 

Elizabeth Balcomb

Well-Known Member
Thanks loverboy skyline and boxergirl! We are now playing tug a lot. Hes getting there. Hes stopped dropping it, I now tug, let go, tug again, always keeping it fun. It's been good for both of us. Hes just so sensitive to my emotions, I can't get frustrated at all.. so, I don't, I'm just having fun. We will get there. His send away is lovely. Ive been sending him to a pole in the ground , with a treat at the base of the pole, for ages, he has only used his nose to find the treat. Hes only just started heading for the pole, I put a ribbon on it to flap in the wind, so he would notice it... I guess on sendaway, it's not actually about the pole, its about heading out until the handler tells the dog to lie down.
Thanks for responses skyline and boxergirl. Much appreciated.