Teaching the "hold" for the retrieves - Page 3

I also do not mind the dog dropping the dumbell at my feet on the click since it does technically end the exercise. I use this concept to teach the dog to ignore my hands coming for the dumbell and to prevent anticipation of the out command. I also use the release(clicker) to reward speed on coming back on the retrieve part and to trade a prey object, usually a ball, to get more speed. That way the dog doesn't have to come to front every time, which usually slows most dogs down. With my current dog, I also don't play tug, since this makes him unsettled and more likely to kill thrash the dumbell, not behavior I want to reinforce!!! Pushing down slightly on one end made him bite down harder and understand the concept of holding tighter.

Yes, with this approach to the training, the exercise is over when the click occurs.  I have clicked very small, sequential parts to a complicated behavior and it all comes together in the end. 

I haven't used the pulling on the dumbell and playing approach very much.

Of course, in the making of the exercise there is still the drive builing and the corrective phases, but this is a good foundation.