Category: Fun Stuff ¤
  Author: David Allan ¤
   Title: Retrieving a Biscuit ¤

Hi

This was one of my early  training  tricks and I thought that perhaps some
of the lurckers might want a little more detail so that they could join in
the fun. Experts are allowed to criticise only if they have a better method
AND if it is lab proof! Seriously, I was never quite sure of the timing of
the C@Ting but the method worked and it is still one of Barney's favourite
games.  I have not worked with hot dogs but have used various tasty treats.
My interest started when I heard that labs were active food thieves and
warned that they couldn't be trusted with food. Ah ha! A challenge! I
started off with easy (non slimey)dry food. The programme went something
like this:

Offered dog biscuit - and allowed him to open his mouth - removed biscuit
and C@T'd
Offered dog biscuit - allowed him to hold biscuit with me still holding
biscuit - removed biscuit and C@T'd
Allowed dog to hold biscuit in his teeth- me no longer holding biscuit-
removed biscuit and C@T'd
Increased the time dog was allowed to hold biscuit
Increased distractions while dog was holding biscuit.
Changed location and retrained
Asked other people to give dog the biscuit to hold in mouth.
I then  started to increase the distance between me and the dog holding the
biscuit. We had some accidents at this point  :-) The biscuit would
mysteriously disappear without warning - great magicians trick!

Repeated the exercise at every possible opportunity - out playing, out for
walks, first thing in the morning, before dinner after dinner.  The idea was
to get the dog absolutely steady at this stage.

Up to this point the dog was always stationary, sitting, standing or lying
down. The next stage was to encourage the dog to come to me and take the
biscuit from my hand and hold it in his mouth. Remove C@T etc

I then placed the biscuit in front of the dog on the ground, stepped back a
little and encouraged the dog to fetch the biscuit. The distance was
gradually increased and various distractions added.

The next stage involved doing mini send-aways to the biscuit, me chasing
after the dog and only allowing him to pick up the biscuit when I arrived. I
had to add this check otherwise we had lots of accidents. The distances were
increased. Gradually I faded out my presence and replaced it with recalls.

This is a broad outline of an approach that worked for me. I've missed out
lots of the fine detail but it should at least get you started with a rather
neat trick. If anyone wants more details then ask!  
   
Must go to the super market for hot-dogs tonight!

Regards

David