21. Things to Remember When
Teaching The Take It Exercise

Place the dumbbell directly in front of the dog's muzzle and hold it steady.
Give the command in a quiet tone of voice. Give the command ONCE. Follow the command with praise.
While giving praise, apply slow pressure on the collar with the LEFT hand.
Alternate the steady tightening of the collar with a short snap of the leash, depending upon whichever gets results.
If your dog turns her head from the object you are holding, use your knee or your hands to block her and make her face front. Turn­ing the head is usually the result of forcing things into the dog's mouth, instead of bringing the dog's head to the object held in the hand.
Avoid working for long periods at a time.
When you take things from your dog and she tightens her grip, cuff her nose ONCE with your free hand, take the object, then pat her.
In practice, use an assortment of articles, as well as the dumbbell. Train your dog to take an object while she is in the down position. Train her to take one from a standing position.
Keep in mind that your dog must reach to take an object from your hand on command before she will reach to take it from the ground.

When you master the "TAKE IT!" part of your dog's training, she is ready for REACHING FOR THE DUMBBELL WHILE WALKING, a grade up in the retrieving exercise.

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