Category: Performance Events ¤
  Author: Morgan Spector ¤
   Title: Training the Retrieve ¤

Carmel asked how to use the clicker for shaping retrieve.  It's a long and
somewhat detailed process, but I have done it successfully with Dylan.  (BTW,
I'm working on a manual/book or something like it with all this stuff in
greater detail).

If your dog does any chasing of toys do this as play throughout this training
sequence.

1.  Start with targeting.  Use a wooden dowel @ 12" long.  Reinforce first
any head motion toward the dowel, then touching with nose, then demand
multiple touches with nose.  No commands.

2.  When dog touches stick willingly, move touch point to lips.  You can do
this manually at first, reinforcing for touching that spot.  Then for
touching with teeth.  Then for any motion to take the dowel into mouth.  Then
for taking into mouth.  Still no commands.

3.  When dog takes dowel into mouth willingly, introduce dumbbell.  Same
sequence as with dowel, but it should go more quickly.

4.  Introduce limited hold to reduce the time it takes for dog to take the db
from your hand.  Counting one-and, two-and, etc., you want the dog taking it
on "one" or sooner.

5.  Once dog is taking db on "one" or sooner, you can start saying "take it"
or "get it" or whatever your retrieve command is.  

6.  Develop the "hold" by leaving the db in for incrementally (2-3 seconds)
longer periods of time and not letting the dog mouth dumbbell.  Use hands to
cage mouth gently.  When dog will hold db for 10 seconds w/o mouthing,
introduce "hold it."

7.  Introduce the "give."  This is one I do use the word right away with.
 Say "give" or "thank you" and simultaneously bring your treat to dog's nose
and slightly backward toward muzzle stop.  Dog will release db and take
treat.  

8.  With dog holding db, introduce motion by walking w/dog off lead at your
side a couple of steps.  Stop, do not ask for sit or front, say "thank you"
and take db.  Build to 20 steps.  Then ask for front.  

9.  Now go to retrieves in motion.  Have dog chase db while in your hand.
 Transfer the play retrieves to db retrieves by just tossing db and letting
dog run for it, say "get it" as he takes off.  No formality.

10.  Introduce formality.  Sit/stay at heel.  Throw db 4' or so.  Do not send
dog.  Build dog's willingness to stay up to 10 seconds.  End with 2 or 3 play
retrieves.

11.  Now throwing db @4', send dog.  

12.  Build distance you throw.  With Dylan I did not find this to be a
problem once he had the idea of going out to get the thing.

This is all on flat.  There is a further sequence for the ROH, but you are
about 3 months down the line from working on that so I'll stop for now.

(Morgan Spector, 5/29/95)