24. Picking Up The Dumbbell From The Ground
If you have not been successful in teaching RETRIEVE IN PLAY, put your dog on leash. Sit on the ground or on the floor, and hold the leash in your LEFT hand close to the dog's collar.
Take the dumbbell in your RIGHT. Play with your dog in a teasing manner. Hide the dumbbell behind your back. Scuff it between the dog's paws. Get her interested so she will lower her head. When she does, WHISPER the command "Take it!" and tug on the leash ONCE while you say the "Good Girl!" Slip the dumbbell into her mouth, then pat her.
Do this several times, then drag one end of the dumbbell along the floor, and see if she will reach for it there. If she shows no interest, tap her paws lightly with the end of the dumbbell to make her look down, snap the collar ONCE, giving praise, then slip the dumbbell into her mouth. Try baiting by rolling the dumbbell along the floor, or tossing it at the dog's feet. Place the dumbbell on a low bench or table, and encourage her to "Take it!" from there. Each time your dog picks up the dumbbell, succeeding times will be easier. Remember the single command and the praise WHILE THE DOG IS REACHING.
Even though your dog retrieves in play, give her this systematic training so she will always be reliable. Otherwise, whenever she doesn't feel like retrieving, she will tell you, "Pick up the dumbbell yourself!" For best results, keep the dog on leash, avoid yelling the command (a playful tone is more effective), and when you tug on the leash, give praise. |
When your dog will reach to take an object from your hand, either through play or through leash training, "accidentally" drop the article, and see if your dog will reach to take it from the floor. If she does, show YOUR enthusiasm by clapping your hands and complimenting the dog with excited praise. If she ignores what you dropped, kick it around and see if that will arouse her interest. If not, there is little you can do except to pick up the object and hand it to the dog with a sharper correction.
Teaching a dog to pick up the dumbbell (or other objects) is a matter of repetition and applying a bit more force each time WITH PRAISE. Take care not to become impatient, and when the dog clamps her jaws together and defies you to open them (which she will), quietly but firmly apply pressure by holding the collar taut. At this point, the dog will swallow, or open her mouth to protest, and you can quietly slip in the dumbbell and pat her.
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