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April 19, 2020

I have a service dog that is struggling with the retrieve. How can I break it down further for the dog?

Full Question:

Hi Cindy,
You have been wonderful with answering questions in the past, thank you. My question is this: I have a service dog that is struggling with the retrieve. The dog will take and hold but the moment the object goes to the floor the dog is baffled. He cannot seem to understand the difference from just above the floor to floor. Obviously, this has made teaching the dog to bring objects difficult. Any thoughts on ways to break it down further for the dog? Thanks

Cindy's Answer:

I see you got the Ellis retrieve video, that's what I would have suggested. I'd take the training back to the beginning for now and rework foundation. When you get to the point of lowering the item maybe try putting it on a platform first, then maybe a lower platform, then a box or brick on the floor, etc... it's not usually floor that's the problem, it's taking your hand out of the picture that changes it for the dog. It's a really common phase dogs go through when learning this. But I would start at the beginning of the Ellis retrieve material and work through it even if the preliminary steps are good. Review is always helpful!

User Response:

Thank you Cindy. The video has been great, some extra tips that I haven't been using I've implemented. He will readily take and hold but he will not pick up and bring. The actually step of lifting from ground or platform rather than taking it is confusing. It's also not clearly addressed in the video. Don't get me wrong the video is lovely but they jump from take to floor pick ups rather quickly without breaking it down. Any further suggestions? Perhaps take from floor, while hands are present, then hold cue, then come cue? Given that all of these have been properly conditioned. Thank you

Cindy's Answer:

Training the retrieve (for me and the dogs I've trained) has been slightly different for each individual. I'd try keeping your hands on it while it's on the floor, then incrementally move your hands away.

The carrying and bringing it to you is trained separately (as outlined in the video). My young dogs will hold and carry items I place in their mouths long before I ever have a pick up. The retrieve is a complex set of skills that can be done quickly with some dogs but for others it's broken down into the tiniest of steps and you may need to think outside the box for certain pieces of it.

Let me know how it goes!

User Response:

Thank you Cindy! I'll work on that carry and fading the hands. He holds it nicely but the more I work the past few days he isn't as thrilled about the take it (does not happily reach out for it or seek it). Through time I am hoping to see less stress for the take it, with him reaching for it. I did hold first before watching the video so this likely has some carry over to the take it. We are currently shaping take it, with fun short (2-3 min) sessions for daily kibble three or so times a day. Any other tips to take the stress of take it away? I am considering moving more with the object, turn on any prey drive he may have, higher value treats, no hold training for now.

Again, thank you.

Cindy's Answer:

I might use special high value food for this, something reserved for retrieves (cheese, chicken, steak, etc)

Kibble is fine for many things but if the dog shows stress it may help to play around with different values of food.

User Response:

Thank you Cindy for all your help. I have great news to report. The dog finally had an "ah ha" moment and is now readily taking, and picking up objects. I ended up using a slip leash to keep his focus on me and the take it object. This is a dog that does not enjoy problem-solving and would rather be shown what to do so the slip leash guidance helped him. He is happily enjoying retrieves now and I am slowly proofing everything for him. Thanks again!

Cindy's Answer:

Great news! :)

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