- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
But if he did a few other retrieves, could he then be allowed to carry his yellow ball as his reward?
Retrieving
- Thread starter Jennifer
- Start date
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
Perhaps you could wait him out, have another article put down and don't say anything and he may think it for himself. He may eventually twig that to get his yellow ball, he has to pick up the other article. They do say that dogs who do their own learning will not forget!@Selina27 I’ve given it a go. Unfortunately no if he knows I’ve got the magic yellow ball he won’t retrieve anything he just sits looking at me waiting to get his yellow ball
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
I think dogs see blue really well, hmm
For once I have a simple question if only the answer could be simple 
What is the best way to build and keep desire to retrieve a dummy ? I have a new dummy arriving tomorrow. Hunter has plenty of desire to retrieve something new but once the novelty has worn off he gets bored and distracted unless of course it’s the banned balls with which I have found out he can do a fantastic, long distance, out of sight, blind retrieve no training required just won’t drop it when he gets back with it.
What is the best way to build and keep desire to retrieve a dummy ? I have a new dummy arriving tomorrow. Hunter has plenty of desire to retrieve something new but once the novelty has worn off he gets bored and distracted unless of course it’s the banned balls with which I have found out he can do a fantastic, long distance, out of sight, blind retrieve no training required just won’t drop it when he gets back with it.
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
I dont know if this will help but when I was building a passionate retrieve with Reuben and Sam before him , I kept the dummy or ball 100% precious , I dont allow the object in the house , it seems to make it more desirable . For quite some time , I didnt even introduce it in the garden ( I do now ), it seemed to keep them more keen xx
- Location
- Isle of Man
I used Totally Gundogs (from the Other Forum) with Coco, going down the clicker route.
Retrieve Training
Retrieve Training
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Oh I remember that, really helpful.
@Jennifer , maybe just keep it to a minimum, just to it 3 times to start with now and again?
I can't do the same thing too often with Cass or she's like " heck we did this yesterday!"
Maybe you need to train his delivery to hand ? I think you will find @edzbird suggestion helpful.
Thank you all for the advice. @kateincornwall I will be keeping the new dummy for retrieving only and I think I’ll start indoors like you suggest. Hunter will usually retrieve to my hand inside. I do think bad habits have been learnt outside. Despite my efforts other people like to play chase with him etc which of course he loves. It doesn’t help with training him to retrieve and drop something of high value though.
I’ve found the article @edzbird thank you. I’ll definitely try it I think it will help. It’s now on www.dogsnet.com
@Selina27 I think you’ve hit one of the nails on the head. I’m guilty of going on too long with retrieving when Hunter is doing well, like with a new ball, and I do think that might be a reason after a few days he’s had enough. I’ve thought before I should stop sooner. I’m also guilty of trying to keep going when he’s obviously not in the mood. I guess I should just stop and do something else or just let him mooch and entertain himself. I forget he’s still only young and a teenager and his attention span is probably pretty short.
It doesn’t help with training him to retrieve and drop something of high value though.I’ve found the article @edzbird thank you. I’ll definitely try it I think it will help. It’s now on www.dogsnet.com
@Selina27 I think you’ve hit one of the nails on the head. I’m guilty of going on too long with retrieving when Hunter is doing well, like with a new ball, and I do think that might be a reason after a few days he’s had enough. I’ve thought before I should stop sooner. I’m also guilty of trying to keep going when he’s obviously not in the mood. I guess I should just stop and do something else or just let him mooch and entertain himself. I forget he’s still only young and a teenager and his attention span is probably pretty short.
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What might also work is if you have a friend with a keen retriever, if you do a bit of training together. Just watching another dog work enthusiastically often sets off an 'aha!!!' moment in a young dog, in my experience.