How to teach a dog to drop or give me the ball? - Page 2

Gary,

That is how I got the prey beast named Pharaoh to play fetch with me.  He was doing exactly what Ruby does.  He loves to trick me and play keep away.  The first stage I did the two ball retrieve. sometimes using  the  Ruffian balls for throwing off the deck and down the hill (these toys will not get stuck in tree branches or bushes.)


When I go to the park, I use cool kongs which are on a rope (I am a total clutz and this allows me to throw some distance)
they will also float in water  

Then I started doing the two ball with the chuck-it.

Then, some nice database people told me to tell him out as he is dropping the ball waiting for the second one to go flying.  That little addition added a new dimension to  our game.  We are now playing one ball retrieve with the chuck-it, and only the chuck-it.  Adding that drop command made all the difference in the world.  The progress was sudden and dramatic.

Good luck with your fabulously, stunning, hunky Ruby,

Michele

I agree with Sueincc....don't let the dog see the second ball until he brings back the first. I used the two ball method and if my guy saw the second ball during the retrieve, he dropped the first ball (often a distance away) and came charging.

When you start getting some consitency with your dog retrieving and outing the ball wean him/her off the second ball by starting to pick up and throw the first ball again. If mine started to play "keep away" I just ignored him and turned my back on him. Inevitably, he came up to me to see what was going on.

Another tip, do not let your dog have access to the ball unless you are out playing with him. Too many people allow their dog(s) access to the ball all the time (even in the house) wrongly thinking it will increase the dog's interest in it. You want playing ball to be a special thing between you and your dog. When my ball-insane showline sees his, he knows it's playtime in the park with me.

Hey Michele - Those toys look like fun, but I read somewhere (can't find it now) that throwing kong-like toys can increase the risk of injury to a dog because toys like this often bounce in odd directions. The weird directional bounce of the toy can cause the dog to twist and move more awkwardly than they would retrieving a regular ball. I just wanted to throw that out there :-)

Karen

I don't let the dog see the second ball until they get back to me either. If I let her see it before she gets back to me, she will spit out the first ball immediately, even if she has just picked it up. And no amount to telling her to get the first ball and bring it closer will work, she will be trying to get the one I am holding and NOT go back for the first one. Even if I hide the second one or put it in my pocket, she KNOWS I have it and wants THAT ONE, not the first one. You just need to see what method works for Ruby.

I love the two ball game it works like a charm. As to the other dogs that do not like to retreive this is what I do to get em started.. Now don't laugh it works.

I take the tennis ball and roll it in bacon grease, make sure its nice and greasy. I then take the dog out and roll the ball infront of him. Generally the dog takes a few minutes to sniff things out then goes and gets the reward. This not only helps the retreive drive but the tracking drive as well. Try it you might like it! :)

Thanks everyone. The two ball technique worked like a charm and within 5 minutes she had the out command cold and I could put the second one away. I appreciate all the input.

Gary

Don't put the second ball away yet.  I never go out without 2 balls, (oh brother, did I just say that)  the dog should always think you have the 2nd ball. If it realizes you only have one, it will be slow to out it.  This game gets re-enforced even with older dogs.  You may find yourself in a real tug of war over that one toy when the dog realizes it has the only toy.   keep  the dog guessing and vary the rewards. 

Jim