I have phrased the first paragraph really badly... Sorry....
Not questioning your choice of word, just wondering if it actually makes any difference? .... if that actually, if you put pressure on the item and said 'whisky chaser' the dog would release..... ???
Di
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The boys!
Read: Wylanbriar Dog Blog on the website: Updated! 1st February 12´!
Ah, that’s an interesting view of it. I don’t know what would happen if I said “dead” without having hold of the retrieve and I don’t intend to find out. I find it a useful command when receiving a particularly flappy bird or a favourite rabbit skin dummy, just as a reminder that its mine now and you should let go. I don’t think I’ve ever owned a dog that would not give up a retrieve and likewise I don’t think I’ve every owned one that doesn’t need a reminder to let go on occasions.
just wondering if it actually makes any difference? .... Di
Yes I agree the word doesn’t matter as long as it’s used consistently.
But yes it definitely makes a difference. Sometimes, I find, for no particular reason, but rarely with a normal dummy, you go to take the retrieve, feel a resistance, there is a momentary stand off at this point, say “dead” and the dog releases, because we have said that from when the dog was a few weeks old.
I used to use 'thank you' for Basil instead of dead
I don't use it anymore as he's now a consistent holder, but when I was trying to teach him to hold (instead of dropping at my feet as with ball fetch), I found he was quick to release the second he thought my fingers were close and i'm a bit fingers and thumbs at the best of times so it would end up being quite clumsy.
So I used 'thank you' as the signal rather than my hand, this meant as a way of testing his 'hold' I could actually touch his nose, the end of the dummy and wave them all about if i wished and he didn't pre-empt and lob it into my hands.
I only really use it now if i want to take a bone out of his mouth or something
I do hear what you two are saying, and of course I know and appreciate completely that we all work differently. Its a careful balance, its true between sometimes, in praising before taking the dummy, and maybe catching the end of it, they can think its 'that' release pressure and let go... but I wonder if they really keep hold till they hear 'dead' or until they feel enough hand pressure to know you mean business about releasing on those 'tighter hold' moments? Rendering the word 'dead' actually not necessary? Not that its something I lay in bed wondering about
I'm just a bit minimalistic probably. I don't use hold and I don't use dead I'd probably forget and the dog would hang onto it waiting for me to remember to say it!
Di
____________
The boys!
Read: Wylanbriar Dog Blog on the website: Updated! 1st February 12´!
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I find it a useful command when receiving a particularly flappy bird or a favourite rabbit skin dummy, just as a reminder that its mine now and you should let go. I don’t think I’ve ever owned a dog that would not give up a retrieve and likewise I don’t think I’ve every owned one that doesn’t need a reminder to let go on occasions. 
say “dead” and the dog releases, because we have said that from when the dog was a few weeks old.
