Preparation is key.

When training your dog to retrieve, you need to begin training in a quiet area, such as your home.  The reason we being training new behaviours in controlled areas is to keep distractions for your dog or puppy to a minimum.  This means the likelyhood of sucess is greatly increased.

It is also important to make sure that your dog has that ’special toy’ that is used for the retrieve.  Keep a toy stashed away that only comes out when  you are playing a controlled game of fetch and training a solid retrieve.   The point of this is motivation, in order for your dog to want to engage in a retrieve, the reward must be substansial enough to make the act of retrieving worthwhile, hence a toy that he can play with all day long is nothing particularly special.

Photo by Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/sgilsdorf/509992911/

Motivating your dog or puppy to the toy

Choose a toy and keep it away, only bringing it out when having a retrieve training session.  Attach your long leash to your dogs collar and show them the toy.  Make a big fuss of this ’special toy’ so that your dog becomes fascinated with what you have.   You can have a quick game of tug, then put the toy away.  Repeat this process a few times per day for a few minutes and then put the toy away.

Training the retrieve

With your long line attached, engage your puppy or dog with the toy by having a quick game of tug, then quickly throw the toy a very short distance away.  As your dog or puppy runs to the toy use gentle praise.  If you are too enthusiastic about your puppy or dog running to the toy they may quickly return to you without the toy looking for their affection, so make sure you praise is measured.

As soon as they pick up the toy run backwards, reeling in the long line, encouraging your dog or puppy back towards you.  Be quick as you reel in the longline so your dog or puppy does not have time to find something more interesting on the way back!  When your dog returns to you, lavish them with praise.  Repeat this process a few times for no more than 5 minutes to avoid fatigue or boredom and continue your training in the same manner for the next few days.  Once your dog or puppy is returning without the need for you reeling in the long line you can remove it but still remember to motivate your dog to return by running backwards, using praise.  Once this is established you can use the ‘leave it’ cue to take the toy from your dog.  See our article on teaching the ‘leave it’.

Dogs that will chase but won’t pick up

Consider the toy you are using, how comfortable is it for your dog to pick up?  Also how rewarding is the toy, a ball may be perfect for collies but a squeaker toy may be better for terriers and a soft toy or a dummy for gundogs.    If your dog is not motivated to run out to the toy run with them pick up the toy and have a game of rag, as they are tugging on the toy run back to your original place with them and reward.  Remember the tone of your voice needs to be upbeat and fun and if you feel yourself getting frustrated by a lack of enthusiasim from your dog keep the sessions very short, just do one retrieve then put the toy away each day, until their interest grows.

Photo by Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/sgilsdorf/509992911/