Training - Dumbbell Retrieve - Page 2

Renofan2
This is the method that I use to teach the dumbells. I know I have posted it on here before but cant find it for the life
of me. So here it is again. This is strictly a MODIVATIONAL and FOOD retreive method....
 

THIS IS A FOOD INCENTIVE RETRIEVE METHOD FOR THE RETRIEVER AND NON-RETRIEVER AS WELL. THIS METHOD IS WELL TRIED ON NOVICES AND ON FAILURES FROM OTHER METHODS. MOST NOVICES RETRIEVE A THROWN DUMBBELL BY THE END OF ONE EVENING AFTER THE DUMBBELL IS INTRODUCED. REAL HARD NOSES WILL TAKE TWO OR THREE EVENINGS. THE MOST STUBBORN MAY TAKE A WEEK. THE MOST SUPER DEFIANT HAS TAKEN 11 EVENINGS (AN EVENING IS 3-5 HOURS).

 

RULES

 

1. QUIT WHEN YOU GET TIRED; DON’T GET UPSET WITH THE DOG

2. ALWAYS REMOVE, REWARD, PRAISE (HEREAFTER CALLED RRP)

3. NO REWARD FOR DROPPED ITEMS

4. NO SKIPPING STEPS; YOU WILL REGRET IT LATER

5. LS = LEARNING SEQUENCE: DO EACH STEP THREE TIMES, HEEL DOG IN A

SMALL CIRCLE, DO STEP 3 TIMES, HEEL IN CIRCLE, DO STEP 3 TIMES, REST

DOG 3-5 MINUTES. (EACH STEP IS DONE A TOTAL OF 9 TIMES)

6. REMEMBER: REST PERIODS ARE JUST THAT. DO NOT PLAY WITH THE DOG.

7. THE DOG MUST DO EACH STEP PROPERLY (CORRECTLY 9 TIMES) BEFORE

ADVANCING TO ANOTHER STEP.

8. IF THE DOG REFUSES TO TAKE THE DUMBELL, IT IS FORCED BY BRUSHING

THE TEETH OR, IF NEEDED, FORCING THE JAWS OPEN, THEN RRP, REPEAT

THE EXERCISE.

9. THREE REFUSALS IN A ROW IS REGRESSION. WHEN YOUR DOG REGRESSES

(HE WILL), REST 10 MINUTES AND BEGIN 2 STEPS BACK.

10. THE DUMBELL IS PRESENTED FROM ABOVE AND THE COMMAND TO RETRIEVE

IS GIVEN AS THE DUMBELL IS EVEN WITH THE DOG’S EYES ( DUMBBELL ENDS

UP TOUCHING MUZZLE, UNDER NOSE) UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED.

 

INTRODUCTION TO THE DOWEL

* IT SHOULD BE THE SIZE OF THE BAR ON THE DUMBBELL

&n

bump

JVL:
Thank you for the advice.  I will give it a try.  Never was able to get Libby (soon to be 8) interested in the dumbell but wouldn't mind trying your methods above in order to get her thru the cdx.  Still our only hold up.  Since the dumbell was an issue, I started working toward her RAE title in last fall and had pretty much given up on the cdx.

I however, must have some inability to teach the retrieves because now I have issues with my 3 year old - Molly.  She will retrieve and will now do the jumps and bring it back over the jump but will run around with the dumbell in her mouth.  I have used a long line to get her to come back in front, but if I correct she will drop the dumbell.  I am finally getting her to occassionally come back to me and sit in front - with a reward treat, but if she has the option - she will run, whining with the dumbell in her mouth.  I try running back wards, but she just is not comfortable sitting in front with something in her mouth.  She likes to run around the house with her food bowl and if I try and reach down, she will squat and pee.  She will do the same with a toy in the mouth. 

Any other ideas on how to make sitting in front holding the dumbell or anything for that matter in front of me a good thing??  She has no issues with fronts or recalls.  They are solid - no issues, but put something in her mouth and it is a different story.

I will try JVL's method for Molly as well.  Would love to come back on the board and say I have success.  The dumbell retrieves have become my most hated exercise in both Schutzhund and AKC obedience and are holding me up from any future competition.

Cheryl

 if the dog has high prey drive you can tie the object to a long line throw it out and make it become prey.

As the dog gets close to grabbing slow it down just enough to let him grab it

Then let him run in a circle with it in his mouth as you slowly bring him in.

When he gets to you play tug of war and then let him have it.

Let him run: pull him in: tug of war: 

repeat about three times and then out the dog and do it again. 

I have seen this work well with high prey drive dogs or even medium prey drive.

Hope that helps and good luck.

It is a known fact that handlers who have one dog with problems in an exercise tend to have several, proving that the issue lies not with the dog but the method of training...............