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Before the
dog is able to perform the hurdle retrieve, it must obviously be capable of
retrieving an object, not as a game, but as a controlled exercise.
The dog must retrieve the article, not when it feels like enjoying the
game, but when it is told to do so.
( Note:
You’ll find the following information set out in slightly more detailed way
in the section that deals with retrieving.)
Many
owners have great difficulty in teaching this exercise. Others find it
relatively easy. This is due, to
some extent to the natural ability of the dog to perform this exercise.
There is no doubt that some dogs are
natural retrievers and the exercise comes very easily to them,
Others are not and the trainers are faced with a far more difficult
problems. Even within a certain breed, there are certain strains that respond
more easily and quickly to the training.
There is
no doubt that all dogs can be taught to retrieve.
It is important to approach the task in a way that is going to give you
the best results.
There
are difference of opinion, even among experienced trainers, as to what is
the best way to begin training the retrieve.
Even
though every pup will enjoy chasing an object that is thrown, because it is
associated with an inborn “prey” instinct.
But the training obviously involves more than running after the object.
Very often the object is one that the dog may not particularly like.
Nevertheless it is an exercise and the dog must do what it is told to do.
Because
the dumbbell is the object that is going to be used in obedience tests, it is
best to start with this object.
It is
important to start with a well- chosen size and weight of dumbbell in
relationship to size and strength of
the dog you are training.
The
dumbbell, when you start training should be fairly light and manageable.
It is also a good idea to make sure that the dumbbells is constructed in
such a way that the bells on the side are not too small.
If they are the dog will develop a tendency to pick up the dumbbell by
one of the two ends rather than the middle.
The
dumbbell should also not be too
large otherwise it will obstruct the dog’s vision as he runs with it.
When you
first introduce your dog to the dumbbell you should do so very carefully.
Carry the
dumbbell around with you when you walk at heel with the dog; drop it
occasionally and let the dog sniff it and examine it, but don’t let him chew it
and regard it as a play object.
If the dog
does happen to pick it make a tremendous fuss of him.
Let him hold it for a short while; then take it from him with a very
pleasant “give” or “out” command.
On
occasion, when you are walking with
the dog, not necessarily training him, take the dumbbell in your hand and start
playing with it, passing from one hand to another.
When he comes to you to see what you are
doing, try offering it to him in an excited voice, telling him to “Take It”.
If he does praise him very enthusiastically.
Do this on
a number of occasions. Next,
continue by introducing a little more formality in the training.
Put him leash. Encourage him
to him to sit
and stay.
While
standing in front of him try and persuade him to take the dumbbell from your
hand by pushing it very gently against his lips, saying “Take it” as
persuasively as you can.
Some dogs
will take it. Others will not, in which case open his mouth very gently and
place it in his mouth, saying “hold” in
an encouraging tone of voice.
Whatever you do, don’t be in a hurry and try and force the dog to obey you.
You can
hold your hand under his jaw for about ten seconds, so that he is unable to drop
the dumbbell, repeating the command “Hold it” over and over again. The give the
“give” or “out” praising enthusiastically.
If you are
successful try and increase the time he has held it without attempting to spit
it out to about one minute. Then
take the dumbbell, again, and praise the dog.
Whatever
you do, be patient in this initial process of training. Don’t show signs of
irritation. Don’t give the
impression that it is a contest that you’ve got to win.
As this
article is intended to deal with the hurdle retrieve, let us presume that you
have managed to train your dog execute a reliable retrieve
Once your
dog has mastered the retrieve and is also happy with jumping you won’t find this
exercise too difficult.
Start off
with seeing that the jump is a comfortable height.
Stand a fair distance away from the jump – about 10 to 15 feet – with
your dog sitting next to you, in the heel position.
Tell dog
your dog “stay” in and then throw the dumbbell over the hurdle, so that it lands
a distance of about ten feet away from the jump.
When you
give the command to the dog to “fetch it”, run with him towards the jump.
As he reaches the jump give him the
command he is to “hup”. As he
lands on the other side of the hurdle, repeat the “fetch it” command.
You can
also point to the dumbbell. After
the dog has picked up the dumbbell stand on the other side of the jump, right
against it so that the dog can see you, call him to you and let him jump back
over the hurdle again. Then tell
him to heel.
Insist
that the dog come back over the jump.
If he does try and come to you by going around the jump, take him back
and make him jump again.
You will
have to be patient with the dog because he is not accustomed to jumping with a
dumbbell in his mouth, but with gently persuasion and a great deal of
encouragement he will soon get the idea.
He may
drop the dumbbell, in which you will have to see that he picks it up again as
you did when you trained him to retrieve initially.
You can
always encourage your dog to work quickly by running up to the jump with him,
telling him in a very excited tone of voice to “fetch it”.
Of course, when he succeeds praise as enthusiastically as you can.