How do you teach the dumbell? - Page 1

Great post Alphadog, you are so right, it all starts with knowing what kind of dog you have.  I also agree that the forced retrieve is only for hard dogs (hard to me is a very resilient dog) and that it can easily  ruin soft dogs, even medium dogs.  It needs to be left in the hands of only the most experienced trainers.

 I think if someone is looking for a dog for top competition then they are looking for  a hard dog who also has a high retrieving tendency and this is the very best candidate for  forced retrieve.  For full points at top level,  the dog can't be "playing" at all, even for a second when he retrieves.  He must run out full throttle, grab the dumbbell on the way out, (not run out, then turn, then grab it), then  run back full throttle, holding the dumbbell with a hard grip the whole time, then sit in front holding the dumbbell up and still gripping it hard.  He must do this EVERY TIME.   This is what forced teaches, the every time, the "I must" attitude, no matter if it's hot outside, or the dog is tired, or he happens to pick up the smell of a bitch in season, all that stuff cannot matter.  The retrieves are worth 40 of  the 100 points, so this is not a little thing!!!