Teaching the "hold" for the retrieves

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by jettasmom on 28 December 2009 - 23:12

Thanks for all the nice comments.

Happyday, I just started by putting the wood in his mouth as I am saying hold, then I click and reward. My dog would rather have his food then the wood so he learned quickly that he takes the wood when I say hold he gets his reward. He has a nice grip on the wood and that is because of his genetics. Alot of dogs don't like something in their mouth and spit it out quickly but I guess I am lucky with pup, no force to get him to hold firmly so that made it very easy to go forward and make him hold it longer and longer, taping on the wood to make sure he continues with a firm grip and to not drop the wood until I mark the behavior and then reward.

Denise

by happyday on 29 December 2009 - 00:12

You are right on the genetics -my male will take it - hold it - no mouth - but my female - not so good - I am having to teach her - it really pays to have a dog that is gentically able to do this.... but it is what it is - if you have a dog that you didn't have to work with and - after a week - will hold it like that - then that is great - but would like some inside on others that don't have it so luck...

Happyday.

by DannyJ on 29 December 2009 - 04:12

no comment on anything else but you have a talented young dog there for sure

one thing i do have to say is think about where the dog is holding the dumbell... looks like just about everytime was back of the mouth... if you teach it this way... the natural way of thinking would be the dog would generally pick it up, then have to regrip it to the back of the mouth...
also this way you have more chances of mouthing in things such as hot weather where they may be panting....

with my limited experience the best place to place the dumbells is at the premolars

dan juros

by Samba on 29 December 2009 - 16:12

To teach a dog that does not naturally hold tight.... I click when the dog does the least bit biting down. I sometimes even help them by gently closing their teeth on it. Mine have quickly learned that it is the biting down that gets the reward. I then start increasing criteria so that they are really clamped hard. After they learn this, you will see them bite harder hoping to hear the click. Teaching the hold is different from teaching the "take it" part where they willing take it into the mouth. When I say hold, the teeth clamp harder this way.

If the dog spits when you click, I don't think that will destroy your exercise. The click means the exercise is over. One can begin elongating the the hold by using "good, good" if your dog understands that as the "keep going" cue.

I start by rewarding simply taking it and then progress to clicking a strong hold with clamped teeth. Then begin extending the holding behavior. Next, we start moving while holding. This does break the exercise down to its smallest components and then you can chain it all together. Thanks for posting the video. Good show!

by jettasmom on 29 December 2009 - 17:12

Thanks Dan and yes I do agree with what you say about where the wood is and I now only click when the wood is not in the back of his mouth. So many little things to be aware of but those little things are very important when setting a foundation. I also agree that once you click exercise is over but I also go to the side of the dog and click so I mix it up.

Samba good points and seeing a video does help.

Denise

by steve1 on 01 January 2010 - 07:01

Yes, i fully agree with Hodie Do not let the Pup drop it run round in a circle with him holding the Block then get hold of both ends and play side to side only not up and down so he grips harder let the block go and run round again and repeat three times He only lets go when you ask him and you will have hold of the Block then in a normal manner
The Dog sitting in front you with both hands on the ends do not pull the Block but let him hold it relaxed then once he is not pulling against your hands tell him to LOS or whatever command you use
I have not seen your Video which is a shame i like to see how your Pup is progressing but i can never bring them up in the format you put them on here unless it is one you click and open
Steve1

by sueincc on 01 January 2010 - 13:01

Here is her video Steve:

by steve1 on 01 January 2010 - 17:01

Thank you Sue
Denise better to catch hold of the Block on the ends as soon as the Pup holds it, you will feel him grip it harder move it from side to side, as you are in the Kitchen without room to move, I thought you were outside until i saw the Video
Once you release the block and he looks like dropping it catch hold of it again and another time after that three times is enough to can do it three or four times a day then
One thing
Did i notice your left hand going to your pocket for a treat for the Pup
I may be wrong but the Pup is anticpating you doing that move and each time you left hand moves to your pocket he drops the block.
To get over that hold the treat in your right palm and when you hold the block and when YOU want him to let go say Los and let him see the treat and have it, change hands but do not let him know where it comes from
He is growing into a Fine Looking Pup
Steve1

by jettasmom on 01 January 2010 - 17:01

I understand wat everyone is saying about not letting the dog drop the wood in front of you but he is not droping it until the "Click" which is his release and a cue he has done the correct behavior by holding the wood calmly and firmly and will do that until he hears the click. Now if he is droping it before the click then that can create a problem but I can have him hold for 10 min if I want. I am also going to the side of him and then clicking so I mix it up. I will switch over to a verbal cue eventually and bring the ball into the picture after I feel he really understands what is expected. In a trial he will never hear the click or a verbal so he will hold until I say "aus". THE one thing I won't do is out the dumbell while he is sitting in front, now that can cause problems. This method is working for me and my dog but that does not mean it is something others will do. As the saying goes " the 2 things a trainer can agree on is what the other is doing wrong" but I believe that what works for you and your dog is the best way.

Denise

by steve1 on 02 January 2010 - 09:01

Seems i had my thoughts wrong on this one I do not have any sound on my computer so there fore i thought you had a treat in your left pocket or hand i could not see a Clicker or here it
Steve1

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