It's MY retrieving dummy - help!!

MOSEY · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 5:33 pm Post subject: It's MY retrieving dummy - help!!

Honey (aged 15 months now) has been doing really well retrieving her tennis balls, sticks etc. So I bought retrieving dummy and whistle and decided the time had come to eek out my blond babe's breed instinct to full potential!

Well - started off really well Laughing

- off like a shot to the whistle after the dummy and promptly grabbed it and came trotting back, tail a wagging to a huge fuss. Then - it all went majorly pear shaped!! Soon as she realised I was taking it off her to throw it again.

She LOVES the dummy, and has been running after it to whistle, picking it up then sprinting off to hide with it so I can't get my hands on it!! Shocked

I tried encouragement, treats, whistle, 'No' command. She just trots off with it and won't relinquish her prize!

Then followed a sight that would have curled the toes of the average competent handler, of me running around the garden chasing Honey to get her dummy back before she chewed it to bits!!

I can sure get her to 'fetch' but I can't blimmin get her to bring it back! PLEASE HELP!!! Embarassed

ally99 · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 6:10 pm Post subject:

How about using a long line maybe?

We've had to do this once or twice with Scampy when she forgot what she was meant to do. Just means if she does run off with it you can encourage her in using the line.

Gnome · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 6:34 pm Post subject:

I would suggest using a long line too, not just to encourage her to come in, but also to let her know that you are not happy and to tell her off.

Never tell her off when she's come back to you, but use the line to go to her. walk along the line until you get to her then tell her off, she's ignored a recall and need to know that this is not going to continue! If she does wrong i.e. ignores you, out in the field then she needs to be corrected out in the field, if you do it when she's come back she won't understand what she's being corrected for as in her eyes she's been good and come back. Hope that makes sense Confused

She's getting to the age where you need to show her some tough love or she'll walk all over you Rolling Eyes

Ask me how I know Embarassed

MOSEY · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 7:16 pm Post subject:

Thank you - that makes perfect sense! Will give it a go and see Very Happy

MOSEY · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 8:44 pm Post subject:

Tried the long line - she was brilliant with recall and no problems there but still majorly stubborn with her dummy. Sad

Once she realised I was not letting up, she started refusing to pick it up at all! Just sat there and stared at it and refused to budge. Rolling Eyes

I brought it back in and ended the session as it seemed silly to persist. Did a few more recalls to end with.

Will try again tomorrow!

Feebarn · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 9:54 am Post subject:

if she won't give it up... then I would call game over. Don't know if thats the way to do it... but its what I do. If he starts horsing round with it or won't give me it... game over.

Also... I don't throw it too often either... not over and over again like. If I'm playing with him... I'll use anything but the dummy. Dummy is only for when I want him to specifically do or practice something. Again... don't know if thats the right way.... but... it keeps the dummy "special" and makes him reeeeeealy keen to get it for me Wink

Basil · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:06 am Post subject:

I would try a few things,

first give the dummy to her before you then throw it out for a retrieve. I have no idea why but this seems to 'devalue' it a little and as you gave it in the first place it makes a dog more inclined to bring it back.

Does she have a 'hold' command? even if she doesn't you could try putting the retrieve aspect to one side for a while and on leash practice walking with her holding it. Again this gives her controlled time with her 'new' toy.
Practice taking it from her, rewarding with praise/ treat and then giving it back to hold again.

Lastly, if she ever does bring it back to you from a retrieve, hold her still and let her hold the dummy while gently stroking her sides and praising her for a while and then take it.

All of the above is to help take a little novelty off the dummy and to help her understand that while you will take it from her she will get it back and get a treat for it!
As a pet dog it often takes a while for them to understand this is a different toy and they don't get to chew it or run amok it's a special toy that can only be played with on your terms Smile

MOSEY · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 8:21 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all your helpful advice guys! Looking forward to some quality time with her over the next few days.