I am a new K-9 handler and into my third month of training. I have a 2 year old male Mal that I believe came from the Netherlands. I have had him since 07/01/06. I think he had some KNPV training, he actually came with a list of commands in Dutch and they seem to apply to KNPV. He is doing great with all aspects of training except being possessive with his ball (reward) in that he will run about 20 feet away to make sure I don't take it away. I can get him to come back if I get on my knee and call. He has no problem spiting it when we go back to the cruiser and I give the "saddle up" command. That has become automatic and most times its on the ground before I ask. This behavior has shown up in Article seaches. He finds the item with no problem, but instaed of downing on it as we have been trying to teach he will pick it up and run off 20 or so feet so I can't have it. The rest of the dogs have gotten the drill and the class has moved on so we aren't doing this much anymore. I want to try fixinig this myself at home. I am sure I have not given enough information regurading this so please ask questions. Thanks in advance for any insight in this matter.

David,

Your partner is playing with you. Count yourself lucky he comes when called and gives up the toy. Try recalling him from a squat for awhile, then recall from bent position and then from a standing position. You have to give him incentive to come back so play fetch with him for a while until he realizes he gets no fun by just running around.

As far as the article search. Set up the problem so that he cant reach the article to pick it up. As soon as he downs, pay him with a toy. It wont take long for him to figure out that an indication will be rewarded. Slowly stretch out the time of the down before he is rewarded to proof him before allowing him in a search where he can actually touch the article. During this problem solving period you should mix up the times he is required to down before reward so that he stays focused on you after the indication. This should keep him from mobbing the article.

Howard