Retrieves!

Retrieves are a great joy for both the dog and handler. Their complication encourages teamwork, while the independent function of the dog can foster relaxation.

Retrieves consist of
1)Picking up the Object
2)Dropping the Object in the indicated spot
Everything else is problem-solving for the dog!

Picking up the Object
To begin teaching a dog who doesn't naturally retrieve, start with an object the dog WANTS to pick up and hold.

Although my other dogs were highly toy-motivated, and picked up on the retrieving game right away, my Labrador RETRIEVER mix, Lila, who has clearly not read her veterinary paperwork indicating her genetics, did not.

Lila's retrieving started with what I called, "The Chicken Bag". It's just as gross as it sounds, but she loved it. I used a standard Outward Hound treat bag, and filled it with lightly drained canned chicken. The liquid leaked out of the bag -- revolting for me, enchanting for her. I had no trouble with her wanting to put her mouth on it!

The Chicken Bag was placed on the ground a few feet away. After a SIT, she was released and told to BRING, as I stepped toward the object, using my hand to lure her nose near it.

She began by licking it, then pawing at it, then FINALLY, putting her mouth on it. I waited silently through the initial behaviors, and nearly shouted "YES!" when her teeth made contact. As long as her teeth were in contact, I encouraged her with Lila's special blend of tertiary reinforcers: "That's it, good, good, yes, excellent..." (I don't know why Lila likes the blend more. All the other dogs generally just prefer the simplicity of "Good".)

Dropping the Object in the indicated spot
Many people begin retrieves with some great distance thrown into the mix. The distance is not really an essential component of the behavior!

A beginning retrieve can consist of the dog lifting the Object off the floor, and "accidentally" dropping it into your hand, which you have sneakily chosen to place directly under the dog's chin. Voila! You & your dog have completed an entire retrieve.

For Lila, once The Chicken Bag, well, slopped(mmmm....) into my hand, I cringed, opened the drawstring, and pulled out some of the delicious, runny, chicken-y goodness. If it didn't fall into my hand, I used an NRM, and didn't (phew!) open the bag to give any chicken.

Once you have the dog picking the object up and dropping it into your hand (or a basket, or a hoop, or any other indicated spot), you can simply add more challenge (escalate criteria).

You can start by making either component more difficult, but if you are not working with a natural retriever, I don't recommend doing both components at once. Start by making it harder to pick up the Object (object placed at greater distance from dog or thrown to greater distance) or by making it harder to put it in the right spot (moving your hand left or right or farther from the dog).

Once your dog catches on to the game, you can use a new, previously less desirable object. Very likely, you will have to begin again with Object on ground, waiting for dog to pick it up, catching the Object, and then gradually escalating through the same progression.

Want your dog to pick her toys? Say CLEAN UP. Use a unique, moving body language signal. Now use BRING. Hold your hand over the toy box as the dog brings the toy to your hand. "Miss" catching the toy and let it fall into the box. YES! Toy is in box. No problem. Gradually make it harder for the dog to find the toys AND toy box (move it left or right or farther away), and eliminate the BRING command. In no time, your dog will be able to pick up her toys on command.

What kind of ideas for retrieving tricks do you have?