Train your dog to Formal Retrieve #dogtrainer #puppy #labradortraining

‪@KodasCanineAcademy‬ Retrieving isn't just a fun game that we can play with our dogs in the form of fetch. It also has a lot of applicability in work situations, such as for hunting dogs and service dogs. However, it can be a little tricky to teach them to pick up anything and everything, especially if the item is unusual to them, is large, once it has stopped moving, or if the dog doesn't naturally have a high retrieve drive. Therefore, if we want to teach them to pick up anything and everything, it is a good idea to pattern the behavior beforehand, and then start adding in the different items. I like to teach the pattern of the behavior while using treats, since most (not all) dogs are more motivated by food then they are toys or random objects. Here is how I will teach the basic pattern using treats: Start with them in the sit stay in a heel position. Lightly grab onto their collar, to ensure that they will not be able to take off after the treat prior to being released. NOTE: Do not use your leave it command to get them to stay, as when we tell them to leave it, we don't want them to get the item at all. We do not want them to be confused when we release them and want them to go and get it afterwards. Toss the treat out in front of them, approximately 5-10ft away. Once it has stopped moving, and the dog is not pulling on their collar trying to get away from you, release your hold and say "back" (or fetch, get it, ect) and encourage them to go and get the treat. As soon as they get to the treat on the ground, start using your recall techniques and excitement to get them to return to you as quickly as possible, and reward them for coming back to your baited hand directly, as this will teach them that whatever they pick up, they should be bringing it right back to your hand. Then use your lure to get them back into the heeling starting position. This is one rep. When first starting out, only do this 5-10 times at a time, as we do not want them to create a negative association with an over-worked retrieve. Then, once the dog is going out and coming back reliably on command every time and you no longer have to hold on to their collar at all, you will start working the same exercise, except now you will be using an actual object. Depending on the type of dog you are working with, there are slight variations you will want to ensure you are doing. If it is just a pet dog and you are doing it for fun or mental stimulation purposes, you are more than welcome to immediately start using their ball. I would still recommend using a baited hand to get them to bring it back to you directly, then doing a treat exchange for the ball. This will teach them that bringing the ball right back to our hand is more rewarding then veering off or dropping it a couple feet in front of us. If you are working with a potential service dog or a hunting dog, then you will want to use something pretty solid and hard, to discourage the dog wanting to chew on the item as they are bringing it back. For hunting dogs, we want as least additional damage to the "bird" as possible, and if it is a service dog, we don't want them to get in the habit of chewing on potentially poisonous items they could be retrieving, such as a medicine bottle for someone who is handicapped. A common issue with teaching this is the dog not bringing it directly back to your hand or dropping it early. While this is not a huge issue for pet dogs, for service dogs and hunting dogs, it could be a real problem. Therefore, if you are working with a working dog, encourage and reinforce the retrieve to hand as much as possible. Ideally, we do not want them to drop the item until it is directly in your hand. If they are on their way back to you and you see them about to drop it, beat them to the punch and get your hand there so you can give the "out" or "drop" command as they are about to let it go. If they do still drop it, DO NOT take the item and start over. Rather, encourage them to "get it", and be ready to give your out or back command as soon as they pick it up, even if it is only for a second, and then reward heavily. Another common issue is dogs who do not want to drop items, which is usually most common with really toy motivated dogs. So, I will do the same process and then when they come back to me I will grab onto their collar so they cannot run away. Then, I will use my thumb and push down on the fleshy portion of the bottom of their mouth and give them either my "out" or "drop" command simultaneously. Since dogs do not like to have your hands in their mouth, they will usually drop it quickly. As soon as they do, be sure to reward them heavily and make sure they know that is what you wanted. I hope this helps and gives you all something fun to do with your pups! Happy Retrieving!