Better Retrieves From The Start

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Chad & Jodi Hines - Willow Creek Kennels and Native Dog Food

Everything that we do with our dogs is conditioning some kind of behavior. If we allow a dog to act a certain way for an extended period, it will be that much harder to recondition him out of that behavior. If we start right away, when the slate is clean, it's only a matter of consistency.

Better Retrieves From The Start

To begin retrieve training, it is best to keep your dog on a check cord while you are working with him. This way if he stops short, you can pull him in the rest of the way. When he gets to you, let him hold onto the bird for a bit. He's just as excited to have it as you are that he brought it back. If you start reaching to take it right away or even roughly telling the dog to drop it, he associates returning the bird with immediately having it taken away or you speaking roughly to him. As you can see, it may be confusing to the dog and promote them to stop short of you.

When a dog gets a retrieve, we talk to them on the way in, "here" "good boy" and clap or use a whistle. This gets them to feed off of our excitement and want to come to us. We also back up, which helps the dog to come in all the way. Once they get to us, we hold their collar with our left, or right, hand which ensures that he stays with us. And pet him with our other hand, which ensures him of his job well done. We continue to verbally praise him as well. We want the dog to know that when they bring something back to us they are the best dog in the world. If you get that message across, he is very likely to want to do it again.

The fail safe way to get a bird out of a dog's mouth is to pick up on their flank. This is the flap of skin that runs from the back end of their ribs down to their back leg (if you look at the profile of a dog, it's below their waist). If you have praised your dog for 30 seconds or so, reach down to their flank with the hand which is petting the dog. As you gently pull up, put your other hand on the bird. Take the bird as he opens his mouth. If he doesn't let go, pick up a bit more. When you pick a dog up in this area it's uncomfortable. He will naturally open his mouth due to discomfort. If you continue the praise after you have the bird, the dog will have no idea what just happened, but he will know that he's having fun and want to do it again.

One final thing to keep in mind is to keep your sessions short so the dog never stops having fun. If he only retrieves well 5 times, then keep his session limited to 3 retrieves. You always want to leave him wanting more so he doesn't get burned out on it. It also helps to change things up. Use a frozen bird one time in the back yard, then use a bumper the next time after a drive to a park. Just remember that if you go some place new, he'll probably want to check things out a bit before he's ready to play a retrieving game.

To learn more about Chad and Jodi's training methods, visit www.willowcreekkennels.net.