Terra Presotto Webboard User Reg: 10-18-2007
Posts: 147
Loc: Toronto,Canada
Offline
If someone could give me advice I would appreaciate it, my problem is my pup has a hard time letting go of toys he is bringing back to me. He retrieves nicely but wants to always play tug of war and starts to get too excited and barks and growls when I remove the toy from his mouth, I usually stop playing this game with him until he is calm and focused again but it only takes a couple throws and he is over excited again. He is young 10 weeks old. How do I teach the out command properly when I want him to let go of something?
Offer a treat! He'll have to drop the toy to take the treat, then you're good. At 10 weeks old, you are luck he's bringing ANYTHING at your request. Don't worry about trying to train a pup this young; they just don't have the mental facilities at this point. Let the pup be the baby it is.
Use 2 toys that way he has to drop the first one to have access to the 2nd. When he drops the first toy reward him with a throw of the 2nd toy. This works great with balls but can transfer to other toys too.
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
Offline
Also, to the O.P., are you just talking about "fetch"?
With a pet, for much later (when he's older), teaching "fetch," I like to teach the part where he puts the item into my hand, separately (chaining), marking and rewarding for that.
Sandy Moore Webboard User Reg: 07-25-2006
Posts: 2665
Loc: AZ
Offline
I agree with both Jim and Geoff. 10 weeks old is not old enough to teach a pup to drop something with any type of reliability and you'd be putting too much stress on the pup. However, if you do what Geoff suggested, the pup will out the toy in order to get another toy, without any conflict between you and the pup. He'll learn the concept of dropping something to get something else (another reward).
Mike J Schoonbrood Webboard User Reg: 04-30-2005
Posts: 2784
Loc: Toronto, ON
Offline
Trade with food. If the pup likes the toy better than food, have a 2nd toy. If he's a knucklehead like one of my pups who will kinda stand there trying to figure out how to get the 2nd toy without dropping the first one... easy. Walk away from him playing with the toy like you couldn't care less about him. Eventually he'll figure out that his toy sucks and your toy is way way cooler.
Don't worry about teaching an Out, just trade.
At 10 weeks old I wouldnt really worry about it at all. I'd have the pup on a leash and walk around with him until he spits it out on his own, then kick it away from him before he can grab it again and continue playing.
Terra Presotto Webboard User Reg: 10-18-2007
Posts: 147
Loc: Toronto,Canada
Offline
Thank you guys great ideas and advice! I'm not wanting to pressure him just wanting to start good habits from the start this all done in fun. He naturally retrieves things I throw, from balls to a tube of cardboard he just get's a little growly after he gets excited and hope he will be more willing to let go of things as he grows.
Terra Presotto Webboard User Reg: 10-18-2007
Posts: 147
Loc: Toronto,Canada
Offline
Well, would like to do some kind of work with him, but im still trying to find something in Toronto I could join when he is older. If someone has info on a good obedience, Shultzhund, Agility Club or something maybe I haven't thought about I would love it.
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Hard time teaching the "out" command
Top
Don't worry about trying to train a pup this young; they just don't have the mental facilities at this point. Let the pup be the baby it is. 
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic
