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North Texas Dog Trainers.
Retriever Specialties.
Retriever Specialties.
| Hold-Fetch-Drop On Command |
There are as many methods of teaching Retrievers fetch and hold in North Texas, as
there are trainers. I believe everyone can learn from many different methods of
training retrievers. This is just one method of teaching your retriever fetch and hold
and the one I use...I learned this method while I was force braking 5-9 new retrievers
every eight weeks. This was over a course of 8 years at a very high volume
kennel...That adds up to quite a few retrievers and a sore back...
there are trainers. I believe everyone can learn from many different methods of
training retrievers. This is just one method of teaching your retriever fetch and hold
and the one I use...I learned this method while I was force braking 5-9 new retrievers
every eight weeks. This was over a course of 8 years at a very high volume
kennel...That adds up to quite a few retrievers and a sore back...
Retriever trainers in the north Texas area use many different methods to achieve the proper fetch and
hold. I use the ear pinch method...I do not use anything other than my thumb to apply the pressure....
As you will see in the pictures and video varying amounts of pressure are applied..All retrievers are
pressure...Thats when knowing the dog comes into play...When a daily session starts I play and
throw some bumpers for the pup no commands are giving..I look at the natural drive of the pup...
Hold the bumper in your right hand..Put the bumper up to the retrievers mouth say.. HOLD...As you
rub the bumper against the retrievers front teeth..
You will probably need to open the retrievers mouth...With your thumb on your right hand...Push open
the pups mouth...Make sure you say hold as you do this...Roll the bumper into the pups
mouth...(Make sure you cover your thumb with the retrievers lip...the dog will resist and you may get
your finger caught in the teeth..) If the retriever tries to drop the bumper be ready to tap their lower jaw
to keep it in as you say hold...varying the tone of your voice as needed..Hold...HOLD...hold...HOLD.....
After the dog holds the bumper say drop...You need to be holding the bumper at the time you
say drop...Be ready to tap the dogs lower jaw..They will want to drop when your hand comes
toward the bumper...The retriever drops to hand...NOT TO MOVEMENT....Do not let them be sloppy
make them hold it in the center of bumper...BUT nothing is writing in stone. Sometimes you will need to
compromise while they are learning..This might be needed to build confidence with some pups...Soon
the pup will be opening there mouth when you say hold...
Use a large amount of praise each time you slide the bumper in....Let the retriever know that it is
the best dog on the planet for having the bumper in its mouth....Just keep them in control...
THE PINCH IS NOT USED TO OPEN THE DOGS MOUTH.....You teach that the pressure is
stopped..Relesed... When the dog opens for the bumper.....The pressure is not constant..
Hold (Pinch release).. Hold (Pinch release)
Only after the pup is starting to open there mouth without pressure...Then I start to apply the pinch....
Control retriever same as above .You will probably still need to open the dogs mouth as above when
you apply pressure and say hold..You are starting a new learning process...But it will not take long for
the pup to realize that they need to still open their mouth...as before
..Instead now as I say HOLD pressure is applied....Timing and amount of pressure is very important...I
cannot tell you how much or when...NOBODY CAN.. You are there not me...But if the dog is going for
the bumper and all of a sudden they stop, your timing is probably off...experament on the pressure...
Always vary your pressure to the ear...To the situation...
You can feel with your control hand when the retriever is going for the bumper...
Here is an example..... Hold.. Pinch... (Dog does Nothing)...Hold.. Pinch..Dog moves toward bumper...
you feel him slowing down...Hold pinch (slightly more pressure) That moves him faster...just before pup
is about to grab bumper say hold with no pressure..Drop...HUGE PRAISE......Ok this is an example do
not do the same thing all the time...It all depends on what the dog is doing....Use your pressure and
voice tone like the dial on your collar....Slight pressure...Meduim...Etc...
As the retriever starts to catch on, replace hold with FETCH to make him grab at the bumper. Say hold
for him to keep it in his mouth and not to have a sloppy hold...
Example.(pinch used as usually) ..Hold..pup goes to grab bumper say.. fetch..as they grab bumper....
Hold... fetch (grab)...Hold.. fetch (grab)...Fetch (nothing)....Hold. fetch (grab).....Fetch dog grabs
bumper on fetch...your on you way..You have just substituted FETCH from hold..
A little trick...Just before the dog is about to stall but has mouth open going toward bumper say...
Goooood dooog...Nine times out of ten the dog will follow through...and be very happy...
NO PRESSURE IS APPLIED AFTER THE BUMPER IS IN THEIR MOUTH.......N0 PRESSURE IS
APPLIED FOR DROP...If pup will not let go of bumper that is a sign that they are learning...
WHY?..They know that you are going to set up for another sequence and are trying to avoid
it by holding onto the bumper..Blow in there nose or ear..Or release your hand from the
control strap,for now...
hold. I use the ear pinch method...I do not use anything other than my thumb to apply the pressure....
As you will see in the pictures and video varying amounts of pressure are applied..All retrievers are
pressure...Thats when knowing the dog comes into play...When a daily session starts I play and
throw some bumpers for the pup no commands are giving..I look at the natural drive of the pup...
- A reasonably intelligent pup will start opening there mouth after the first or second introduction
to hold... Be patient and teach, if it takes a little longer so be it....This part of your retrievers
training is very controlling and somewhat stressful...If rushed you could cause your retriever to
regress in there training and loose trust in you..Or worse loose all interest in bumpers. Some
dogs can move right along and some need to be advanced sooner than others...ALL DOGS
ARE DIFFERENT...
- I start by holding the ear between my thumb and a leather strap..4 fingers under ( Grasping
strap) the strap palm up and thumb holding the retrievers ear on the leather strap...Absulity no
pressure is applied to the ear for this intro session. Just hold the ear...Perssure is
only applied when the retriever is starting to open their mouth on their own....
Hold the bumper in your right hand..Put the bumper up to the retrievers mouth say.. HOLD...As you
rub the bumper against the retrievers front teeth..
You will probably need to open the retrievers mouth...With your thumb on your right hand...Push open
the pups mouth...Make sure you say hold as you do this...Roll the bumper into the pups
mouth...(Make sure you cover your thumb with the retrievers lip...the dog will resist and you may get
your finger caught in the teeth..) If the retriever tries to drop the bumper be ready to tap their lower jaw
to keep it in as you say hold...varying the tone of your voice as needed..Hold...HOLD...hold...HOLD.....
After the dog holds the bumper say drop...You need to be holding the bumper at the time you
say drop...Be ready to tap the dogs lower jaw..They will want to drop when your hand comes
toward the bumper...The retriever drops to hand...NOT TO MOVEMENT....Do not let them be sloppy
make them hold it in the center of bumper...BUT nothing is writing in stone. Sometimes you will need to
compromise while they are learning..This might be needed to build confidence with some pups...Soon
the pup will be opening there mouth when you say hold...
Use a large amount of praise each time you slide the bumper in....Let the retriever know that it is
the best dog on the planet for having the bumper in its mouth....Just keep them in control...
THE PINCH IS NOT USED TO OPEN THE DOGS MOUTH.....You teach that the pressure is
stopped..Relesed... When the dog opens for the bumper.....The pressure is not constant..
Hold (Pinch release).. Hold (Pinch release)
Only after the pup is starting to open there mouth without pressure...Then I start to apply the pinch....
Control retriever same as above .You will probably still need to open the dogs mouth as above when
you apply pressure and say hold..You are starting a new learning process...But it will not take long for
the pup to realize that they need to still open their mouth...as before
..Instead now as I say HOLD pressure is applied....Timing and amount of pressure is very important...I
cannot tell you how much or when...NOBODY CAN.. You are there not me...But if the dog is going for
the bumper and all of a sudden they stop, your timing is probably off...experament on the pressure...
Always vary your pressure to the ear...To the situation...
You can feel with your control hand when the retriever is going for the bumper...
Here is an example..... Hold.. Pinch... (Dog does Nothing)...Hold.. Pinch..Dog moves toward bumper...
you feel him slowing down...Hold pinch (slightly more pressure) That moves him faster...just before pup
is about to grab bumper say hold with no pressure..Drop...HUGE PRAISE......Ok this is an example do
not do the same thing all the time...It all depends on what the dog is doing....Use your pressure and
voice tone like the dial on your collar....Slight pressure...Meduim...Etc...
As the retriever starts to catch on, replace hold with FETCH to make him grab at the bumper. Say hold
for him to keep it in his mouth and not to have a sloppy hold...
Example.(pinch used as usually) ..Hold..pup goes to grab bumper say.. fetch..as they grab bumper....
Hold... fetch (grab)...Hold.. fetch (grab)...Fetch (nothing)....Hold. fetch (grab).....Fetch dog grabs
bumper on fetch...your on you way..You have just substituted FETCH from hold..
A little trick...Just before the dog is about to stall but has mouth open going toward bumper say...
Goooood dooog...Nine times out of ten the dog will follow through...and be very happy...
NO PRESSURE IS APPLIED AFTER THE BUMPER IS IN THEIR MOUTH.......N0 PRESSURE IS
APPLIED FOR DROP...If pup will not let go of bumper that is a sign that they are learning...
WHY?..They know that you are going to set up for another sequence and are trying to avoid
it by holding onto the bumper..Blow in there nose or ear..Or release your hand from the
control strap,for now...
| Located In Rockwall Texas 20 min East of Dallas |
| 214-317-1492 |
| More Videos Coming Soon See Below |
| IntroductionTo |
All retrievers are different...No training method is writing in
stone..Know the dog and adapt the training style and method
to them..Some pups are very senitive..Some retrievers
could careless and breeze through training..Some hate all
forms of control,and to the untrained eye look like they are
very unintelligent,but they have just BEAT YOU...So don't
beat on them..
stone..Know the dog and adapt the training style and method
to them..Some pups are very senitive..Some retrievers
could careless and breeze through training..Some hate all
forms of control,and to the untrained eye look like they are
very unintelligent,but they have just BEAT YOU...So don't
beat on them..
- Be patient....The whole process* takes 3-4 weeks. If
advanced everyday..But skipping a day or two will
let the dog think..You cannot train like your work
ethics..You must let the pup tell you how much they
can take. If you rush you will usually end up
backtracking...Do not mistake play grabs for real
work ( Good Ole Scruffy grabs all the bumpers with
speed...Why does he not do it while I do this drill..I
think I ruined him...No...Do you get up early to go to
work with the same excitement as you do,when you
go duck hunting...Scruffy has realized this is now
work...Keep it upbeat and he will bounce back) Take
a walk brake with him (On leash)..Let him do some
commands he is VERY SUCCESSFUL at.. This will
transfer the confidence to the force drill..Pet him
and talk to him like a friend as you walk...KEEP IT
UPBEAT..
- Throw plenty of fun bumpers..That means NO
commands,just let pup run out bring it back and
have fun....DO NOT EXPECT THEM TO HOLD,
FETCH OR DELIVER TO HAND..If they haven't
learned do it on leash under control.. They'll never
do it off...Your just braking down what you just
taught...Do not stand there and say "fetch it up"
over and over...Pick it up or kick it along the
ground,while pumping them up to chase...
*This is just intro..There are several
more steps involved
more steps involved
In this video Dozer is being taught for the first time to open his mouth and to
HOLD a bumper...Notice how he tries to avoid the bumper..Do not let the dog
squirm away use your sit command to keep him seated...You will notice that I
needed to tighten the leather strap for better control..Once you let the dog beat
you at avoiding the bumper ..They will learn that you cant keep them from
stopping..and beat you every time...There is no loud yelling or hitting..He tries to
spit out the bumper but I know that he will..SO KEEP YOUR HAND READY TO
STOP THIS....ANTICIPATE...
This was all finished in just minuets not hours. You saw the raw footage...nothing
was edited..Do not grind this into the dog. Get in and get out .Most
amateur trainers think you need to work a dog for hours....Try to be fair, a
panting dog will be somewhat sloppy.....Use common sense
HOLD a bumper...Notice how he tries to avoid the bumper..Do not let the dog
squirm away use your sit command to keep him seated...You will notice that I
needed to tighten the leather strap for better control..Once you let the dog beat
you at avoiding the bumper ..They will learn that you cant keep them from
stopping..and beat you every time...There is no loud yelling or hitting..He tries to
spit out the bumper but I know that he will..SO KEEP YOUR HAND READY TO
STOP THIS....ANTICIPATE...
- I say hold and use my right hand to open his mouth to roll the bumper in...I
get a few successful tries by him..The rest he is panting...BUT he shows
an understanding to open and he definitely is holding the bumper until the
command to drop is given - Notice I do not panic the dog, just easy slow movements..I keep the
bumper in his mouth and stroke his lower jaw. He gives in..NO Pressure
Is applied
This was all finished in just minuets not hours. You saw the raw footage...nothing
was edited..Do not grind this into the dog. Get in and get out .Most
amateur trainers think you need to work a dog for hours....Try to be fair, a
panting dog will be somewhat sloppy.....Use common sense
Holding the ear....Rubbing
the bumper on his teeth
While saying Hold. No
Pressure is applied
the bumper on his teeth
While saying Hold. No
Pressure is applied
Keeping the bumper in
his mouth
his mouth
Stroking his lower
jaw..Talking to him
and saying hold
jaw..Talking to him
and saying hold
He starts to grab bumper,on the
command hold...With pressure..
command hold...With pressure..
Holding the ear
His hold is loose..I am not
concerned..At this point in time..He is
nervious..This is stressfull and it is
hot...You should compromise...He
knows how to hold..It will firm up
again...Just tell him to hold as usualy
concerned..At this point in time..He is
nervious..This is stressfull and it is
hot...You should compromise...He
knows how to hold..It will firm up
again...Just tell him to hold as usualy
turns his head to snap at bumper....It is
UNDER CONTROL...BUT you must be
smooth..Do not frustrate the dog...If the
dog beats you, regroup...Do not take
it out on the dog..Just start over.. If
you loose your cool and start taking it out
on the dog many things happen..IT JUST
GETS WORSE. I worked at a very high
volume kennel in Ennis.I trained & forced
In this sequence.I tweak the pressure..He
turns his head to snap at bumper....It is
VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE DOG
UNDER CONTROL...BUT you must be
smooth..Do not frustrate the dog...If the
dog beats you, regroup...Do not take
it out on the dog..Just start over.. If
you loose your cool and start taking it out
on the dog many things happen..IT JUST
GETS WORSE. I worked at a very high
volume kennel in Ennis.I trained & forced
9-12 dogs every 8 weeks for 9 years..You
must remember all dog are different
UNDER CONTROL...BUT you must be
smooth..Do not frustrate the dog...If the
dog beats you, regroup...Do not take
it out on the dog..Just start over.. If
you loose your cool and start taking it out
on the dog many things happen..IT JUST
GETS WORSE. I worked at a very high
volume kennel in Ennis.I trained & forced
In this sequence.I tweak the pressure..He
turns his head to snap at bumper....It is
VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE DOG
UNDER CONTROL...BUT you must be
smooth..Do not frustrate the dog...If the
dog beats you, regroup...Do not take
it out on the dog..Just start over.. If
you loose your cool and start taking it out
on the dog many things happen..IT JUST
GETS WORSE. I worked at a very high
volume kennel in Ennis.I trained & forced
9-12 dogs every 8 weeks for 9 years..You
must remember all dog are different
| If you are training your own dog and you have any questions or want a daily session, feel free to call me. 214-317-1492 or email me at richard@northtexasdogtrainers.com or blackyellowchotrainer@yahoo.com |