33. Retrieve Over Hurdle Problems
How To Overcome Them

Dog Starts Toward The Hurdle, Then Stops And Refuses To Jump

Before you correct a dog for refusing to jump, be sure that she is capable of jumping. When a dog gives the impression of wanting to jump by teetering back and forth, but lacks the courage, suspect some form of hip trouble painful to her. Consult your veterinarian, and if necessary, request that the dog's hips be X-rayed.
If refusing the jump is a matter of being obstinate, see RE­TRIEVE OVER HURDLE for ON-leash training. If the leash is off, rush forward, and with your LEFT hand, "spank" the dog on the rump when she stops. Give praise as you do it.

Dog Returns Without The Dumbbell

When your dog starts back without the dumbbell, rush forward! Block her! Lean over the hurdle, cuff her nose ONCE with the back of your hand, then step over or walk around the hurdle, and, if necessary, pick up the dumbbell and toss it at her feet with a more demanding "TAKE THAT!" When she picks it up, pat the top board and coax her to jump back.

Dog Picks Up The Dumbbell But Doesn't Jump Back

Place the hurdle in such a way that an assistant can hide in back of the place where the dumbbell will land. If the dog stops at the jump on the way back, waiting for a second command, the assistant lightly tosses a rolled magazine (or similar object) at the dog's heels. The owner covers up the correction by clapping her hands in play, giving exaggerated praise to encourage the dog after the correction.

Dog Appears Afraid Of The Retrieve Command

Change commands! If you have been using "Take it!" for the retrieve, give the jumping command instead. Combine words, such as "Hup! Take it! Come!" then gradually eliminate commands until you find one of which the dog is no longer afraid.

Dog Doesn't Start On First Command

See RETRIEVE ON FLAT Problems.
In extremely stubborn cases, an assistant stands on the opposite side of a low hurdle and holds the leash at its full length. The owner gives the retrieve command, following the command WITH PRAISE. If the dog fails to start, the assistant pulls the dog for­ward toward the jump, with one snap of the leash. The owner runs forward, encouraging the dog to jump and to pick up the dumbbell.

Dog Goes Around Hurdle Going Out

An assistant stands on the opposite side of the hurdle, quite some distance away, and faces the owner and her dog. If the dog attempts to go around either end, the assistant waits until the dog is on line with the hurdle, then tosses some object (a flat board is excellent) to block her. The owner recalls the dog, then rushes for­ward, pats the top of the hurdle, encouraging the dog to jump.

Dog Goes Around Hurdle On The Return

Make a correction first, on leash. Have your dog jump the hurdle; just as she lands, call out a loud "COME!" Follow by snap­ping the leash toward you to make the dog jump back. Do not make the dog retrieve the dumbbell during the correction.
For off-leash correction, the owner holds some object she can easily throw. When the dog starts to go around the jump on the return, and again when the dog's head is in line with the hurdle, the owner blocks the dog by tossing whatever she is holding di­rectly in front of the dog. After this, she rushes forward, pats the top board, and encourages the dog to come over the top.
NOTE: When correcting a dog for running around the hurdle, it is important that the correction be made at the right time. If the object is thrown too soon, the owner PREVENTS a mistake, instead of correcting it. The dog may also be frightened, and will hesitate to come back at all.

Dog Doesn't Clear The Hurdle

If there is no indication of hip dysplasia, or the dog is not over­weight, ask two assistants to stand one on each side of the hurdle. One assistant holds a light rod (bamboo or aluminum) so that it rests along the top board, slightly lower than the board itself. The second assistant is there merely to keep the dog from going around the opposite end. With the dog on leash, teach her first to clear the hurdle without retrieving. Give the jumping command, and while the dog is jumping, have the assistant raise the rod and rap her paws lightly. The severity with which the correction is made de­pends upon the size of the dog and on her temperament. Give praise WITH all corrections.
An alternate method is for the assistant to move a short rod from one side of the jump to the other, parallel to the floor, while the dog is jumping. This EXTENDS the jump, which raises it.

See RETRIEVE ON FLAT problems for corrections of the fol­lowing: Dog Anticipates Retrieve—Dog Stands Over Dumbbell, Or Stands Holding Dumbbell—Dog Refuses To Release Dumbbell—Dog Grabs At Dumbbell In The Owner's Hand—Dog Grabs The Dumb­bell From Steward Or Judge—Dog Anticipates Finish—Dog Drops Dumbbell At Handler's Feet—Dog Mouths Dumbbell—Dog Picks Up Dumbbell By The End Instead Of The Centerpiece.

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