I have been trying to train my dog Chance to hold any object in his mouth until I have him out the item. The problem is for example when we are playing fetch with his frisbee or anything else he will out the item as soon as he gets within 5 feet of me. I want to teach him to hold the frisbee in his mouth untill I tell him to out the object.

The method that I have been trying is to only continue the game if I get the frisbee from his mouth. If he drops the frisbee on the ground the game ends and we go inside. He has made some progress with this technique but he still doesn't understand what I am trying to get him to do.

I guess what I need to do is take a few steps back and teach the hold command. I have tried teaching him to the hold command by as soon as he picks up the item I would give the hold command hoping he will begin to associate the word hold with object in mouth. As soon as I say anything he immediately outs the item.

I NEED HELP!!!!

What is the best way or method to teach this command. If I cannot figure this out I am going to go nuts.

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I have been trying to train my dog Chance to hold any object in his mouth until I have him out the item. The problem is for example when we are playing fetch with his frisbee or anything else he will out the item as soon as he gets within 5 feet of me. I want to teach him to hold the frisbee in his mouth untill I tell him to out the object......

Maybe the thing is to backchain this command, starting with release into your hand, with handing it to you as the payoff (treat) step.

But regardless, backchain or not, the retrieve is really three steps. Go get it. Pick it up and hold it. Put it into my hand.

I wouldn't combine them until each part is solid, and I'd use markers in each of the three parts, with rewards and praise.

Holding it can be for a second, then two seconds, then 10 seconds, and then you can vary it so he doesn't anticipate the command.

Also, I would just not treat and praise each time he errs, rather than end the game -- "no" in a disappointed voice. Then when he does it right, treat and praise instantly. End every session on an UP note.

P.S. I've found that what all the better trainers than me already knew is 100% true: Break down every command into its pieces and train each piece. QUOTE: The retrieve isn't trained by tossing the object and hoping for the best. END <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> A very good point from Old Earth Dog Bob Scott.

I would step away from the game for a while till you teach the hold, otherwise you'll probably end up frustrated, play time will be no fun, and your dog won't understand why at this point.

I taught hold sitting in my living room with a small piece of PVC pipe and a bag of treats. I use markers like Ed explains in his article.

at first I held out the pvc and told her to take it, I kind of had to really entice her to take it at first (who wants to bite on pvc?), and as soon as she put her mouth on it, I marked "yes" and treated. This went on for a little while, some small sessions, and then I moved the pvc between my knees and held it there and told her to take it. She knew it at this point, but of course she was anitcipating the treat and would immediately take her mouth off and wait for the treat. But we worked thru that, I would kind of hold my hands there not letting her drop it, and gave a "hold" command, and at first as soon as she stopped mouthing and held calmly, I marked and gave a treat, then increase the time for "holding" before marking and treating. Then vary the times. I did this before I introduced the dumbell, it made things easier.

As Cindy or Ed can attest to, I have a very mouthy, chewy dog, all I have to do is say hold now, and the chewing stops and she holds, not just dumbells and PVC, but balls, tugs, and flying squirrels.

It really was pretty easy to teach, just a few 3-4 minute sessions every night sitting watching tv. After your dog has the concept of holding and will do it on command, then use the toy, then introduce the command to the game. Don't immediately quit the game, but give the dog a chance for success and failure, so it can learn for itself as well. It kind of seems to me that after a session of lots of failures and ending on that one big positive, the dog comes out the next time performing like its known the command for years.

George,
I am pretty much a rank amateur, meaning that I have trained only one pet dog, and I am not sure exactly what you want to accomplish, solid fetch, or drive work, but I have taught my dog to hold anything very tightly as follows.

He loves to play tug, so when I am holding the prey item, and he is gripping it, I say "hold it" and praise verbally (marker). I tug a little, give the command, mark, etc. He caught on very fast. He thinks this is a great game. Now, if he has a ball on a string, a tug, or even a plain ball in his mouth, if I say Hold it, he grips very hard, and I try and pull it from his mouth a little. He just plants his feet and holds, staring hard at me. But if I command out, or even hold my hand out under his jaw, he releases the ball so that I can throw it again, or go back into drive. I guess the key is to play this game as you hand the prey item to him, or when he grabs while building drive, but not to just throw it and expect him to hold it tight. I also taught him to bring the item directly to me and release into my hand, it is the only way he gets to play fetch.

polly

I have been utilizing the tips you guys have been giving me and they are working with success. Last night when I was throwing him the frisbee he brought it back to me without dropping it at my feet. I think he finally relized that the game is much more fun when he plays by my rules. Throw the frisbee, catch the frisbee, run back to me, hand me the frisbee and repeat.

As far as my goals with my dog is I am planning this October to begin training for AKC competion obediance. I really want to get involved with schutzhand but the closest club is about 1 1/2 hours away and I just don't have the time.

I use Sch methods with my dog because he LOVES it, not because I belong to a club or plan to compete. The Drive and Focus DVD is excellent, and shows how, with a few tools and excercises, you can really speak to the dog's nature. Fetch is a "quiet" game compared to building drive. Someday, I may get a higher drive dog and join a club, but for what I want now, with this dog, it is not needed.

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Fetch is a "quiet" game compared to building drive.

Nobody told that to my dog. I don't try to play fetch anymore because I like my fingers where they are. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

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.......As far as my goals with my dog is I am planning this October to begin training for AKC competion obediance. I really want to get involved with schutzhand but the closest club is about 1 1/2 hours away and I just don't have the time.

Do you know about rally obedience? It's relatively new, and it's hot! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

http://www.akc.org/events/rally/index.cfm

I did manners training with a Pit mix a few months ago, and she was so quick and easily-trained that her owners wanted to do something more with her to focus her energy. So a member of this forum suggested rally. They got her an AKC I.L.P. and they were off!

From CanisMajor.com:
Rally obedience, or “rally-o” as it has been termed by enthusiasts, is the latest American Kennel Club event to hit the show circuit. Rally has some characteristics of rally sports car racing, dog agility, and traditional obedience combined into a new fun sport. Much to the delight of many exhibitors, rally is now a regular class that can be included at obedience trials. As with other regular classes, dog and handler teams can earn titles beginning with RN for novice level, RA for advanced, and RX for excellent level. END

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/rallyo.html

I want to try it, because I keep hearing such enthusiastic reports of how much fun it is. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> My knowledge of it is strictly second-hand, but I know there are forum members who are doing it, so maybe you'll get more details.