Hi

We have a 3 month old Golden Retriever puppy. She is doing well re toilet training, sleeps in her crate at night no probs.

The issue is she won't drop a toy on command. We play fetch and she brings the toy back to us but won't drop it so we can throw it again. We have tried using treats and she will drop it for a choccy drop but after giving her a treat 4 times she goes back to holding on to it for dear life. We thought she might like the tug of war of us trying to get it from her so we have stopped pulling on it and ignoring her.

Any other ideas of what we can try? Have read this board loads since we got her and have read some good advice.
Thanks

Hi,

Playing tug of war is not a good idea for a young Goldens mouth.

1) This is how teeth can become mis aligned
2) The puppy will be at teething stage mouths can become quite sore.
3)  Golden Retrievers are gundogs there mouths should be soft and encoraging this kind of play will encourage a young Golden to grab and not always release and be gentle.

To be honest with my Goldens I take items out if their mouths gently with my fingers from a very young age giving the command *leave *by the time they are about 4 months plus they are quite happy to drop anything they have in their mouths immediately to floor or into my hand.

I would not turn it into an issue and when she has something in her mouth take it gently out of her mouth with your fingers giving the *leave *command in time when you say leave she will learn to drop whatever she has praise ,reward everytime she drops or gives you the item.If she holds a on to it for dear life you remove it gently from her mouth they are quick learners.

I'm sure others may also have some tips and will be along shortly.
You could also offer another toy while she has the one you want in her mou th giving the leave command and she may drop it for the other one but this amy not work I always use my above method ;-)

Briony :-)

Hi Guest

Try it another way - teach her to hold.  Get her sitting infront or beside you and place something in her mouth, once it is in say "hold" and promptly remove it with the word you are going to use to get her to let go (do not let go of it yourself).  This is teaching the end of the retrieve exercise as a separate item.