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weerubbertummy
Ayrshire, Scotland
MH
Posts:726
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| 02/13/2012 11:17 AM |
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I was wondering if i should be introducing a canvas dummy to Keely in any particular way. I'm assuming the dummy is used for training the retrieve? Keely is already a natural retriever with a tennis ball (her preference) - she will chase and retrieve it, and release it to my hand, and if she drops it too soon i can command her to re-pick it up and bring it to my hand - it's already her favourite game and she really started it herself from the day we brought her home.
I'm determined not to put her off doing this but wonder if i should be taking it further by introducing the dummy. |
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Miss you forever Kintra baby xxx |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:4452
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| 02/13/2012 11:38 AM |
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The sooner the better.
my rule: retrieving training objects are not toys. i begin the sssion and I end the session.
As far as the best way to intro, know what you want to teach and train.
Do you want to start with sight retrieves,searches,blinds,directional?
Do you want to begin with teching a proper hold? |
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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tgatto
Lake in the Hills, IL
MH
Posts:411
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| 02/13/2012 11:56 AM |
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Sadie loves the tennis ball too
I have had problems (my own doing) introducing Canvas dummies, and I would be cautious. Specifically, I invested in some red-head canvas dummies which I "played" fetch with Sadie - just like her tennis ball. She shook, and bit into them - they didn't last too long. Once they ripped the sand (which is used to weight the dummies for throwing) came out. I had much better luck after training her to "Hold". My recommendation would be to start there - if you are going to introduce canvas dummies immediately.
If you are going to play with her with dummies, I would look into the plastic, knobby type first. The knobs keep them from biting down too hard on them. These types usually come with a valve. I filled one with water (making it VERY heavy) which kept Sadie from shaking it during play (for a couple of weeks) in the yard (be careful as filling them with water in water make them sink). I then started training her to retrieve, including "hold", at which point it wasn't a game, but training/work.
For reference, the initial canvas dummies I used lasted, maybe, 2-weeks (MAYBE!). After Hold training, my current ones (which are also much cheaper) are on their second month (just for comparison), and are showing no signs of abuse. |
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It is watching the dogs work that I thoroughly enjoy, and love. I could get by with just watching them work - if it weren't for all the training, and the joy they exhibit when they pick-up, and deilver to hand a bird that they pointed, and you shot. - Todd |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:4452
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| 02/13/2012 12:28 PM |
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I find that balls are not good to play with during any type of retrieving training b/c they encourage chewing - which equates to really,really bad mouth habits.
I like to stop ALL retrieving games until,at minimum, a very solid hold is established.
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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weerubbertummy
Ayrshire, Scotland
MH
Posts:726
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| 02/13/2012 1:23 PM |
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| I assume a proper hold is a gentle hold without dropping until told to do so? |
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Miss you forever Kintra baby xxx |
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tgatto
Lake in the Hills, IL
MH
Posts:411
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| 02/14/2012 12:02 PM |
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Yeah, that about covers it. Don't confuse it, however, with dominance (Sadie will wave a tennis ball around in front of you, push it into your hand, but will not let go until you pry it away). Holding, to me, is that the dog will hold an object (and not chewing) when it is inserted into their mouth (whether by command, or not) until taken (whether by command, or not - I prefer by command). Not just something they want in their mouth, but un-desireables too. As far as firmness, the dog should hold firm enough to not have it fall, or tapped-out of their mouth.
I knew Sadie was "Hold"-trained when I would insert an object in her mouth (I preferred to command, "HOLD!") and she would execute her other commands (Sit, Heel, whoa, come) without dropping the object. I would walk her around my neighborhood holding the object (with commands thrown in on occasion). |
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It is watching the dogs work that I thoroughly enjoy, and love. I could get by with just watching them work - if it weren't for all the training, and the joy they exhibit when they pick-up, and deilver to hand a bird that they pointed, and you shot. - Todd |
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weerubbertummy
Ayrshire, Scotland
MH
Posts:726
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| 02/14/2012 12:26 PM |
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| It's so difficult to imagine Keely holding something gently at this stage, although to be fair she isnt a "killer" with her mouth, whereas Kintra would shake everything to death. I've been trying to shake things up a little today by encouraging her to retrieve a variety of her toys and she's been really good at it, although not quite as enthusiastic about chasing the item as with her tennis ball. |
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Miss you forever Kintra baby xxx |
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tgatto
Lake in the Hills, IL
MH
Posts:411
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| 02/15/2012 3:23 PM |
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I know what you mean! By the same token (from my viewpoint), I never thought I would see Sadie retrieve a bird after our first couple of hunts - at least not this year. After retrieve training, though, she did it!
Sounds great with Keely. See if you can get her to sit and hold an object for a little (calmly) until you ask for it. You can build from there! Depending how far you want to take it, I would recommend getting a resource on retrieving (maybe "Smartfetch" by Evan Graham). Again, depending on what you want to do with Keely. |
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It is watching the dogs work that I thoroughly enjoy, and love. I could get by with just watching them work - if it weren't for all the training, and the joy they exhibit when they pick-up, and deilver to hand a bird that they pointed, and you shot. - Todd |
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wilmagsp
JH
Posts:28
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| 02/18/2012 6:51 PM |
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Murphy enjoys playing fetch and will always bring it back to me but drops it as he gets back to me. How do you go about teaching hold?
Mike |
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Max2
Oneonta NY
MH
Posts:1111
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| 02/19/2012 5:31 AM |
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| Just as he is about to get to you & he still has the retrieved item back up. Couple steps. He will stop and think & I bet he don't drop it. Then lean forward & give him your release command. I think what is going through (their) head is I have to get this to (us) & when they get to us they have done the task. Close is good but to hand is "sweat" . |
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Chris |
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