13. Holding On Command

If you have taught your dog by playful means to hold what you give her, you can pass up this part of the training. The older dog that doesn't know what it means to carry things around will require the gentle, FIRM instructions outlined in this section.

The first lesson is to teach your dog to HOLD your finger. This isn't as dangerous as it sounds, because even a strange dog will seldom bite when handled in the proper manner. With your dog on leash and sitting at your left side, stretch the leash taut and step on it with your RIGHT foot. This will keep the dog from backing away. Gently place your LEFT hand around the dog's muzzle (unless it is a short-nosed breed, in which case, hold the skin on the side of the neck), and hook the little finger of your PLIGHT hand under the collar beneath the dog's chin. By pulling the collar FORWARD, you apply pressure to the back of the neck, which keeps the dog from getting out of hand.

Place a finger or thumb very gently into the dog's mouth, holding it directly behind the canine teeth. When you do this, say "Take it! Good girl!" Press the jaws together, still giving praise, to keep the dog from mouthing your finger. When she holds without struggling, command "Out!" and take your finger away. Do this several times, then use an assortment of articles, including the dumbbell. MOVE SLOWLY! HANDLE QUIETLY! Don't forget the PRAISE!

Teach your dog to grip things securely! Take one end of the object and SHAKE it gently while it is in her mouth. If she tries to give it to you, tell her "Hold it! Hold it!" and don't permit her to let go until you command "OUT!"

Some dogs, no matter how calmly they are handled, become hys­terical and fight desperately the first time an object is placed in their mouths. In this case, tighten your grip, momentarily, by pulling the collar FORWARD and UP. This brings pressure on the back of the dog's neck and lifts the front paws off the floor so the dog can't keep her balance. By clamping the jaws together and forcing her to hold what you give her, the struggle should cease immediately. Having won the battle, calmly lower the dog's feet to the floor, pat her, scratch her ear, then remove the object. (It is suggested that you use some object other than your finger for this part of the training.)

When your dog will hold an object without spitting it out, scratch her ear with one hand, but KEEP THE OTHER HAND UNDER THE DOG'S CHIN! If she lowers her head as though to drop the article, cuff her chin up, and tell her "Hold it! Hold it!" If she drops what she is holding, the correction is one sharp tug on the leash, a tap on the nose, and telling her "Phooey!" BEFORE you pick the article up from the floor to make her try again.

Practice the SIT-STAY exercise while your dog holds different articles, among them the dumbbell. Practice the RECALL while she carries them to you. After you call, TURN and walk away. This will teach your dog to carry while heeling, which she should do if you give the heeling command, or encourage her by saying enthusiastically, "Let's go!" When you halt, give a quiet "Sit-stay!" to keep the dumbbell in her mouth.

When teaching HOLDING ON COMMAND, avoid long training sessions. Five or ten minutes at a time is sufficiently long, and your dog won't get tired or become bored with the dumbbell work. Avoid training in extreme heat. Dogs perspire by panting. When the mouth must be open to breathe freely, the dog won't grip the object firmly.

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