Hi there, Well just to ask some questions about play-retrieve:
Ive started the "play" retrieve (for excersise the girls), since both of them had no interest on playing i started with food in exchange for the toy, now i can go 2 or 3 retrieves for 1 treat, (yay me!) the start is amazing thy go really fast (one a time because if both of them go for the ball usually one stops and take the ball away when the other one is carrying it back), the returning is my drwback, they come walking, i know that for non-retrievers is a huge step just to have them bring the toy back, but i want to put a bit more enthusiasm in the returning, any advice would be nice. thanks and keep coming all the great posts. Hello from the Wet Mexico (a lot of rainning here; one of the main reasons i want the retrieve game)

Could you try running away from the dogs when they're returning to you with the retrieve object?
Often that will kick in a bit of chase/pursuit drive and liven it up for the dogs.

 Quote: Will Rambeau

Could you try running away from the dogs when they're returning to you with the retrieve object?
Often that will kick in a bit of chase/pursuit drive and liven it up for the dogs.

No way to improve on that suggestion, IMHO.

If the dog isn't eager to dash back, then I figure I need to step it up and be "the best show in town" ... the most fun.

I learned to liven it up when teaching two couch-potato senior Pugs the fetch game.



ETA: Now one of them will actually keep pace with the GSD in this game!



Edited by Connie Sutherland (07/03/2013 11:20 AM)
Edit reason: ETA

hmmm ill try running in the other direction, thanks for the tips i will try them!

first , what breed(s) are we talking about ?

what will said . . . running backwards away from the dog invites him to come into your space . don't just be standing there , be a source of excitement and fun that will make the dog want to play with you .

also , keep your throw distances very short . the further away you throw increases the distance the dog is away from you the fun source , and also increases the chance that the dog will become distracted by something else before it gets into your "fun range" . increase the distance slowly as you see the behaviour you want .

third , try tying one dog out while you play with the other . do a couple of throws , be upbeat and fun , then without fuss or fanfare , tie that dog out , and then play with the other . see if that doesn't elevate their excitement to play with you . don't use a punishing tone or body language , but if you are not happy with the way dog A is playing , tie him out and play with dog B . do not try to correct or quiet the tied out dog , just focus on the dog you are playing with , and switch often .

last thing , choose appropriate times of the day to play with the dogs . i've never been to mexico but i can imagine it gets pretty darn hot there . even way up north here there are times when i can see my dogs' energy level just isn't there due to the heat in the middle of the day .

 Quote: Milanka Ratkovich

hmmm ill try running in the other direction, thanks for the tips i will try them!

Ummm, if you run backwards watch out for the tree behind you.

Seriously.

Even if there is like 20 people standing around, don't think one of them will warn you.

Not even if one is your adopted big brother, right Will????

 Quote: Betty Waldron

 Quote: Milanka Ratkovich

hmmm ill try running in the other direction, thanks for the tips i will try them!

Ummm, if you run backwards watch out for the tree behind you.

Seriously.

Even if there is like 20 people standing around, don't think one of them will warn you.

Not even if one is your adopted big brother, right Will????

Wish there was an accompanying video lol

I discouraged video when I was on the field.

You know is some training clubs people say damn, I wish I had that on film when a dog or handler made outstanding progress.

My groups? Not so much the motivation.

 Quote: Betty Waldron

I discouraged video when I was on the field.

You know is some training clubs people say damn, I wish I had that on film when a dog or handler made outstanding progress.

My groups? Not so much the motivation.

I'm that guy that always finds the hole to step in, right when my dog takes off on a hide and wraps me in the long line as I hit the dirt...

I embrace it... the inner klutz

You gotta love the inner klutz!

I figure it breaks up the routine....LOL

It's really not all my fault, weird things just happen
to me!

Really!

Psst, Cori, my special little butt biter is getting ready
to pop!