My big boy has made a break through...:-)
I have been trying to get him back on the dumb bell after a so called trainer tried to force train him...in one session this trainer managed to ruin several months worth of me trying to get my boy to do the retrieve. I have been trying off and on for nearly a year....
At first the big man wouldn't even look at the DB...then with clicker he looked at it....then touched it....then mouthed it...then held it...then walked with it (after being given it) ....

He NEVER once actually offered to take it....until tonight...I got the clicker out...tried him a few times  with me holding and him offering to take it from me...:-)
But he went one step better....I set the DB on my knees so I could reach for more treats....and he took it..:-) :-)....So I tried two or three other positions on my knees and between my knees....and each time (after a little thought) he reached for it....took it....and held it until I asked for it back...

I am sooo happy with him right now...he is still unsure about the whole affair...but him taking it off a surface (my knees) is a turning point I hope..:-)

Thanks for listening..:-)

Cheers
J

Wonderful - I have a non retrieving retriever :-) He can retrieve but he prefers not to - he will carry something of his choice sometimes when we are out on a walk - unfortunately it's usually a rock he will find and carry :-O and he will sometimes retrieve a toy, once, if it is thrown but a dumbell has never been an item he will retrieve.

You have done really well to get him to finally pick it up from a surface - I clicker train as well and think it is a great way to train :-) Well done your lad :-)

WeLl done both of you. My previous gsd was put off holding a db by a heavy hander trainer who when I knew nothing else rammed it in her mouth and then held her mouth shut. Result one db shy dog

That is what the the "trainer" did to my boy...but to top it off...then drug him across the floor while holding it in his mouth....did that once and was told where to go....:-(.....unfortunately once was enough to put him off now for almost a year...would like to compete with him but would have never got beyond pre-beginners....and he is decent with those exercises....I can now envision him advancing to beginners with a retrieve on the edge of being there..lol

Cheers
J

Oh poor boy! Must admit not knowing any better I did train my older Cavalier to hold by GENTLY putting it in her mouth - but NOT forcing, NOT clamping her mouth shut, just popping it in for a second and then treating. And certainly NOT dragging the dog around!!! She now has a superb hold and loves retrieving to the extent that we lose marks for pouncing on it! Now embarking on teaching the puppy, I now know not to even do that much, and have got her to the stage of sniffing and mouthing it and occasionally half opening her mouth for it.

Didn't know people still did that our training was 25 years ago )ou have done very well we gave up on the whole retrieving think after that but I guess a lot of training was then pretty harsh. Thank goodness there are better ways

When a dog gets that 'light bulb' moment it is just such a joy. Well done for your gentle patience.

I would imagine it has taught you as much as its taught him.  They teach us something everyday. :-)

well done, thats a big break through for you both and well worth all the hard work :-)
Paula xxx

Lovely to read - well done :) :) Fantastic!

Going along the training lines...how do you get a laid back dog to have some pep...?  AND.....what is a good way to get an entire boy with flirting on his mind to pay attention?

When I can manage to get his attention he works lovely...but he either lacks energy or is too busy sniffing round the other dogs and flirting to pay attention...and I don't want to rely on the scent of sausages....and a tug on the lead falls on deaf ears so to speak...:-)

I know it is going to be a matter of working on things...but pointers would be great....

I would like ideas for more energy with a laid back pudding of a dog more so..than the flirting...
Thanks...
Cheers
J

It might also be a good idea for those that had a bad experience with retrieve, to re-teach the exercise with a new word! So instead of "fetch" or "hold" say for example "dumbell" or some other word that your dog does not associate with the forced retrieve.

So glad to hear of your progress. I suppose you have tried wrapping a dirty sock round the centre bar, it never ceases to amaze me how a dog that will pick up and carry anything will point blank refuse to touch the DB.