I was dreading training this exercise...but evidently I need not have been.
Having gone from one dog with abundant defense but relatively little prey drive, to one with a LOT of prey drive, the second is much easier to train!
Now I need to work on getting her to give up that dumbbell.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
(btw, all motivational training) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/aswmbo/kelli_dumbell.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/aswmbo/kelli_dumbell2.jpg"YOU WANT THIS? MAKE MY DAY...!"
Awesome picture (and awesome work! dumbbell training can be a lot of work)!
Is that a wooden dumbbell? I've been looking for one, but all I have are plastic. I like to use different materials to get them used to everything (metal is the hardest yet).
For Schutzhund training, there are three different sized wooden dumbbells; each a bit larger and heavier as one advances through the three titles.
Leerburg sells the wooden dumbbells: http://www.leerburg.com/dumbbell.htm
Thanks for the link! I don't actually do schutzhund work, but I work with service dogs (and lately my own dog who I'm training as I would a service dog).
For work with your service dogs, you may pick up a few useful methods from the motivational retrieve video. http://www.leerburg.com/106.htm
The video is largely directed at training the dumbbell retrieve exercise. However, the essential methods can be adapted for other kinds of retrieval.
The page for the video also features a nice shot of Fetz & Will.
Essentially, you need a dog that's motivated by toys. Then you play, "Let's make a deal." with the dog. The dog brings the dumbbell and he get's to play with the toy.
After watching a "Forced Retrieve" session, I decided that if I had to do that to my dog to get him to retrieve, he didn't need to do Schutzhund. The motivational method has worked well for both of us. He doesn't resist giving up the dumbbell because he knows he's trading up. He also doesn't mouth and roll it because he is not stressed by fear of an impending "stimulation".
I agree with Charlie: that Flinks motivational retrieve video is super...and it works!
The dog in the photos above is less than 9 months old; right now I am working only on making her comfortable with carrying the dumbbell around...making it more of a fun item than a work item. At this point she treats the dumbbell like a prey item she doesn't want to give up.
Next step will be the more formal "trade" game, as I know she prefers her ball. Having then already become familiar with how the dumbbell feels in her mouth, she should not have any hesitation in retrieving it for a trade.
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the dreaded dumbbell exercise
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