When teaching the forced retrieve how do you get the dog not to chew on the dumbell while he is bringing it back to you? A friend of mine is teaching his dog the forced retrieve and he got the retrieve part, he does it very well, however has a habit of chewing on the dumbell really bad. How should he go about to eliminate this problem?
This could be a genetic issue with this dog. Alot of dogs are mouthy naturally. Calming exerises can help.
It could also be a side-effect of the pressure that has been applied to force the dog to perform the retrieve. Alot of times, if your friend is not hectic and is calm, the dog will stop chewing after it has a clear understanding of what the handler wants of him. This may be few months.
Your friend could try when the dog sits in front, with a soft soothing voice, tell the dog that it is a good dog "Good Brings" After about thirty times or so the dog may feel more comfortable with the handler. Also with this when the dog is holding the dumbell, step to the side of the dog, right or left, and "out" the dumbell from there, thus the dog will not be in a conflict to out the dumbell in front, as that is a nice place to be; the conflict stops, and so does most of the chewing.
With alot of dogs, raining can help, but they will chew a bit no matter what.
David Morris Webboard User Reg: 11-28-2002
Posts: 570
Loc: North Carolina
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I hope the dumbell was not used during the training of the forced retrieve.The chewing is either genetic or stress related from the forced retrieve training or the even the dog anticipating you taking the object away.I would back up in training and have the dog retrieving other items and when the dog does a sit front dont take it away just go right into a carry and turn the whole thing into an enjoyable experience.
Stop making excuses for your dog and start training it!
I also train the hold seperate from the retrieve.
I have a Lab Male thats very high energy. I had to stop hunt tests as he aquired a heavy mouth. This was 10 years ago but the trainer(very good trainer) had a bumper (tug) that would vibrate when squeesed. It cured the problem quick. As he trained almost daily at Tritronics im Marreysville, Ca. I'm sure if there still made they would know.
I've seendumb bells made with a pipe bar between the two ends so the dog would not chew it.
try adding weight to one side ofthe dumbbell.So they have to grip down or they'll drop it.If the drop if stuff it right back in their mouth.Worked good for my male.i added about a pound to one side with a snall peice of metal n a srew.there was no more chewing got a firm grip....
I am currently working on a retrieve, using e-collar, thing works GREAT. You can try using a PVC pipe, as opposed to dumbell.
PVC pipe is more slick, so the dog has to learn to hold on tight to it. Also, when the dog comes to you, don't just 'out' him, play a 'light' tug-of was with the pipe: easy pull it on it, and if the dog holds tights, reward him, petting him lightly. eventyally you should be able to lift him by the pipe, he should not let go of it.
Hope this helps
If anyone disagrees, let me know.
Did your friend do his forced retrieve training at the same field where he currently finds the dog chewing the dumbell? (Very common, and the wrong thing to do, as the dog will invariably associate the field with the force training.) If so, try the dog at another field / location and see what happens...could be that the chewing is his way of showing stress.
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