Training Question - retrieve

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by SchaeferhundSchH on 16 November 2010 - 14:11

What's the number 1 worst thing to do when your dog gets something valuable in your house that you must absolutely get back? DO NOT chase! It turns it into a game for the dog and he wants you to try and get it from him. You need to make it the most rewarding thing in the world for the dog to bring the toy to you. I'd recommend a long line, throw dumbbell. Then with every happy body signal and word you can give you encourage him to return to you. Give light tugs on the long line if he begins to veer off or ignore but as soon as he does right you mist be the most excitig and rewarding thing for 10 miles to him. When he returns do not take what you just rewarded and turn it backwards by trying to get him to drop it. Pet him and reward heavily for staying close. And just an ah ah reminder if he tries to walk off. Eventually when you get 95% beautiful recall after retrieving dumbbell you work on the front and bringing it to you then eventually piece together everything until you have a nice retrieve.

by Lestat on 16 November 2010 - 15:11

Hi, everyone I just want to set the record straight a bit, I am not an idiot and have won nationals titles and my husband even qualified for WUSV I have so far titled five dogs, and am now busy with a male and a female. I posted this question as it is perplexing me why he does a perfect retrieve with the ball but not the dumbell,as I have never had this problem before. I was just looking for nice little ideas or a trick maybe someone had in their training bag.
Thank you Sue and Hutch and schaeferhund for your input it is appreciated. I will definately give the clicker a try and of course the long line as this was how I got the retrieve with the ball.
He is a very promising dog and definately worth taking the time on.

by Don Corleone on 16 November 2010 - 15:11

Maybe it's not the dumbell/ball that changes, but you! When you play with the ball on retrieves, it is exactly that, PLAY.

by sueincc on 16 November 2010 - 15:11

My first suggestion would be what Don Corleone said, and one you have most likely already tried, but I'll toss it out there anyway just in case:

Backing up very quickly as he is returning to you to, even clapping and jumping up and down, calling his name and repeating the heir command very enthusiastically may encourage the chase all the way back to you. The extra stuff is easy to phase out once he understands and is coming to you all the way back to you with the dumbbell on a regular basis.

by GSDdrive1 on 16 November 2010 - 16:11

Lestat

If you haven't already you might want to drive sitting your dog, putting the dumbbell in his mouth, move 3-4 feet in front with the ball showing as the reward. Give whatever command you are using for the retrieve and back up a couple of steps to draw him in. If he does it and holds the dumbbell reward him with the ball. If he doesn't back him up and do it again. Keep doing that until he understands what you want then gradually increase the distance. It sounds like he already does everything else fine so just work on that part.

by gsdshow on 16 November 2010 - 21:11

Lestat,

I too have just started the dumbbell work with my female, and she did the same thing, she ran with it in her mouth but would not bring it back to me. Les Flores gave me a very good tip on teaching the dumbbell. He told me to play with her with it, throw it a few feet away and when she goes to pick it up turn and run the opposite direction. When he see's you running the other way he should chase after you with the dumbbell in his mouth, when he gets to you push the dumbbell away from you, make it a game, he should start pushing the dumbbell into you wanting more. It worked like a charm with my female, it took only a couple of times and she now brings it back every time and when I stop she stops and holds it in front of me. Just a thought, it worked for my girl.

If you try it let me know how it worked, I would be interested to see if it works as well for you as it did for us. Good Luck,
Kathy

by VKGSDs on 16 November 2010 - 21:11

This how I trained the retrieve, start to finish without a collar or lead on the dog at all. The dog is fast, same pace going out and back, consistent, and absolutely no chewing. I use backchaining, no forced retrieve (not necessary in this case) and no prey work or games with the dumbbell (in my experience this often creates chewing and causes other problems). I believe backchaining it properly helps the dog understand clearly every part of the behavior chain. We've never had problems with retrieves or had to go back and "fix" things.

www.dutchbingo.net/personal/How%20to%20Backchain%20the%20Formal%20Retrieve.pdf

by Phil Behun on 17 November 2010 - 08:11

Do you really think that is fast?? Can anyone tell me why she would lose all her points with the retrieve over the jump?

by dutss on 17 November 2010 - 12:11

After you throw the dumbbell.......did you think of saying "hier!" as soon as the dog put it in its mouth....then transfer over to "hier bring" then to "bring"?

If the ball is higher value have your traded for the ball?

by Lestat on 17 November 2010 - 12:11

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all the positive input, I will try ideas posted here and let you know how we go on. I'll give you an update in a few days. I try to train ob 15min 2 x times a day, so should know what is going to work reasonably soon.

Hi Dutss
I have tried the reward for the ball but as stated earlier as soon as he even glimpses the ball even if it is under my chin he immediately drops the dumbell and comes and sits in front of me. This worries me a bit. But the suggestion with the clicker may sort this. We will see!

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