Fetch
For advice on all trick training click on this link to get you started off right
To start let Fido chase balls, sticks, anything he is interested in. Try to get him to come back to you with the ball. Praise him for coming to you, ignoring the ball. If he wants you to chase him, move away and ignore him. Practice his other commands - sit, heel - with the ball in his mouth for a short time. Patience - this will take awhile.
Now get a dowel or piece of broom handle to work with. With Fido at your side in the heel position (the leash in your left hand) hold the dowel in your right hand in front of his face. Say, "Take it". When he opens his mouth, even for a second, put the dowel in his mouth. Praise him even if he spits it out right away. Try to get the praise in before he spits out the dowel. After a couple of "Take it" commands go on to a different exercise. Keep coming back to this command. A little at a time is the best method. More patience is required here.
After Fido will take the dowel, move it a little further away from his face. Stop praising him when he drops the dowel. Begin moving the dowel forward and down until it is near the ground. Now you can change the dowel for a doggy dumbbell which is easier for Fido to pick up from the ground. After he picks up the dumbbell, you can try having him pick up the dowel. He is still right next to you. Now you can move the dowel farther away, having Fido pick it up while dragging his leash. Next you can have him pick up other objects.
Fido must now learn to give you the object. Using the dumbbell say, "Out" holding your hand to receive the dumbbell. You will probably have to take it with one hand and put the other hand over Fido's muzzle forcing (gently) his mouth open. Repeat the command "Out" as you take the dumbbell. Lots of praise!!! Repeat for as long as it takes always ending the training with praise. Use different objects such as rolled up newspaper, slippers, his dog dish.
If Fido constantly resists, try another trick! Some dogs do not like to retrieve. There are a lot of other tricks you can do.
posted by George V. Schubel at 4:18 PM
2 Comments:
Hello Chipman, I was looking around for stuff on guide dog training and found your post. I have to admit, theres some pretty good info here but I could not find anything about Fetch specifically. I see now why I found your page looking for information on guide dog training and am glad I stopped by even though this is not a perfect match. This is one of the best blogs I have seen so far... you're doing a terrific job. Keep it
up.
Hey, you have a great blog here Chipman, searching for info on dog grooming training I just stumbled across you. Although Fetch is not exactly what I am looking for it certainly got my interest. I see now why I found your blog looking for information on dog grooming training and am glad I stopped by even though this is not a perfect match. Great blog I intend to bookmark you, thanks for the read.
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