Hi, Charlie has been having a 2 week break from retrieving to try and up his desire as he was getting bored of blind retrieves, this break ends at the weekend so I am trying to have a plan in my head about how to proceed. As mentioned by Lochan, Charlie might have instinctive drift with the ball, so I am wondering if I should only allow him to retrieve a dummy, so therefore a stationary object. The only thing that worries me a little is could I put him off retrieving as he really favours a tennis ball so much so that if I produce a dummy and a tennis ball he pats the ball with his paw : it was just a little test I don't do that all the time : ?? Any thoughts or advice would be great. Thank you xx
Re: Dummy, Ball or both? :/ Not sure I understand, why is the dummy a stationary object? Or do you never throw for retrieves, do you ONLY do memory and blind retrieves with Charlie?
Re: Dummy, Ball or both? :/ This might be completely the wrong advice and I'm sure somebody will advise better but if it was me I'd stick with the ball. Don't know why I'm saying if it was me I have the same thing with scout. He isn't particularly interested in anything else. He will retrieve them for a bit but then get bored. His ball on the other hand he loves. I just want my dogs to have fun retrieving. I'd like them to retrieve dummies but it doesn't make any difference if they don't. No field tests etc likely so it doesn't matter. I do some retrieving with the dummy for a change but always go back to the faithful ball. A ball can be a stationary object if you don't chuck it. ;D
Re: Dummy, Ball or both? :/ I agree too , if its working, dont fix it , stick to what he loves best Helen x
Re: Dummy, Ball or both? :/ [quote author=Karen link=topic=5787.msg74209#msg74209 date=1399378580] Not sure I understand, why is the dummy a stationary object? Or do you never throw for retrieves, do you ONLY do memory and blind retrieves with Charlie? [/quote] Sorry Karen, yes I do throw for retrieves, I do memory/marked and blind retrieves, but one thing that came out of our training was that Charlie is a chaser whether it's a ball or prey so the idea being that a ball keeps moving so Charlie chases it :, whereas a dummy stops after you've thrown it. I don't know whether it would make any difference it was just a thought going round in my head and just wanted to hear everyones thoughts. Thanks xx
Re: Dummy, Ball or both? :/ If his retrieving drive is fragile I think you have to stick to whatever he's most keen on......
Re: Dummy, Ball or both? :/ This is just a thought that's been going around my head since reading your ex trainers mega plan. Charlie's natural urge is to hunt which creates problems with his absconding and off lead behaviour. It is a lot harder to work against a natural instinct than it is to harness a natural instinct. If Charlie fetches the ball back I (others might) don't see a problem with him seeing it as prey and something to chase. He is using his natural instinct for you rather than legging it after a scent or wildlife. He is hunting that ball down then fetching it back. If Charlie was mine I'd keep working on his love for that ball. Hopefully eventually that ball in your hand will be all he wants to hunt. Like I said just a thought.
Re: Dummy, Ball or both? :/ Throwing a dummy and letting him 'run in' can be just as exciting as a ball. You could always reward his return with the dummy with the ball, he gives you the dummy, you toss the ball down in front or give it to him. My Lab will do anything for a tennis ball reward. You can also buy 'dummies' with a rope to throw which have tennis ball material on them. Mix them all up and he won't become bored.
Re: Dummy, Ball or both? :/ [quote author=Stacia link=topic=5787.msg74242#msg74242 date=1399386798] Throwing a dummy and letting him 'run in' can be just as exciting as a ball. You could always reward his return with the dummy with the ball, he gives you the dummy, you toss the ball down in front or give it to him. My Lab will do anything for a tennis ball reward. You can also buy 'dummies' with a rope to throw which have tennis ball material on them. Mix them all up and he won't become bored. [/quote] Very good ideas there. There speaks a wealth of experience, Stacia!!
Re: Dummy, Ball or both? :/ Thank you everyone, lots of great advice and training tips to help Charlie, as always x
