How do you teach the dumbell? - Page 3

changer , it can be easy like that sometimes , I have a bitch here that does the same without clicker , the one Im training doesnt , so every dog has something you need to work on , no big deal for me

if every dog would do everything by nature it would be a little crowded at the podium

You are correct sir it will not hold up, wait and see, it will be proven.

 Depends on the dog. 

Actually, Reiki's retrieves have been anything but easy! He really doesn't see the point in grabbing a wooden dumbbell by the middle, running back as fast as he can, and sitting in a straight front without chewing. Even if there is a ball in it for him at some point. He'd much rather grab the dumbbell and shove it at some guy with the hope that they will somehow make it a sleeve and tug with him.

Hey Kevin, when do we get to see you again? How is your boy doing?

Everyone: I am curious. Why do people think that a non force retrieve won't hold up in high level competitions? For me, it seems to be working just fine, including a 100 point obedience score at a Sch 3 trial. I am curious why it doesn't work for others?

Because a dog will get bored over time with a kids game just as you would.  As the dog gets more trial experience and longer in the tooth, the speed will slow down, it's inevitable.

Addendum #1

Try and get a couple of 14-15 and a 9-10 pt. retrieve on a male that's been bred several times on a field where a bitch in season has been.  My money's on slow and dull.

Oh that is an excellent idea! Next time I breed him, I'll ask for a retrieve before. Talk about motivation!

Time will tell, I'm guessing my Labradoodle has better retrieves.  Now where did I put that clicker that I found in the gutter?  Oh yeah, in the poop bucket where it belongs.

changer , do you have any video of you and reiki , im curious

Not training retrieves, trial retrieves, all three with proper 3-5 (5-10 at big event) second rules being followed.  Point being, prey retrieves are unreliable and inconsistent and over time will get slower and slower.  The goal of a forced retrieve is to develop a level of consistency that is dependable and can be counted on time and time again.  In a perfect world, attempting to trial 3-4 times a year for 4-5 years will lead to slow retrieves and lost points.