Molly will now retrieve a dummy willingly in the garden. Out on walks she does it provided there are no distractions of other dogs or especially interesting smells. At our last gundog training session she retrieved 3 out of 4. On the last one she picked itup, started back, then half way dropped it and ran off, nose to the ground. She did recall but refused to pick up the dummy again. The trainer has suggested that as soon as she picks up the dummy I should wave my arms, call excited encouragement, jump up and down etc. which does help. He also suggested freezing OXO ice cubes and rubbing one on the dummy, which didn't help. Molly is 10 months old and still in very early stages - she doesn't deliver to hand and runs in - my trainer has told me not to work on this yet. The thing is she also has a length of old hosepipe and if I throw that she gets wildly excited, retrieves it every time and delivers to hand. All without any food rewards - the reward is another throw. The trainer says he thinks it's because she's allowed to chew it - however she certainly doesn't do this during the game and not a lot at other times - I know from other toys I've bought that if she set her mind to it, the hosepipe would be in pieces. The hosepipe is hers to get when she wants, whereas I keep the dummy in a cupboard so she only gets it when I choose. In some ways it doesn't matter because I don't envisage working her; I'm just doing the gundog training as a way of improving general obedience and having some fun. But I wish I could find a way of getting her face to light up over the dummy.
Re: How can I make retrieving a dummy more exciting? I was advised to do several things.....the three that had the most impact were: get a rabbit skin dummy...........Riley looooooooooves his rabbit skin dummy, it definitely improved his general enthusiasm play with the dummy myself but don't let the dog have it for several days..........you're effectively teasing the dog to get him excited work with other dogs............a bit of competition helped but there were downsides too - distracted by other dogs and too much waiting around being the two main ones I definitely agree with leaving the dog to run in, any attempt to steady when they're not keen may dampen retrieving desire, you can steady her up later and similarly with the hold - too much pressure and the fun disappears. It needs to be fun, fun, fun !!!!
Re: How can I make retrieving a dummy more exciting? Use the hosepipe as a reward for a retrieve of the dummy!
Re: How can I make retrieving a dummy more exciting? I agree with Barbara. Tease her with the dummy by you playing with it but she can't have it. You said your trainers suggestion of you jumping about ridiculously excited helps. Keep doing it. I did this with Scott for weeks except I did it before I threw. Scott didn't have much retrieving desire but I found by accident if I waved my arms about shouting shoo shoo pretending to shoo pigeons : he would get really excited race of for the retrieve and race straight back again. I kept it up for quite awhile though. Occasionally I still stick won in every so often. : It's all about the fun for everyone. ;D PS . I'd be tempted to try the hose pipe on walks Joy and see what Molly does. If she brings that back every time or if she still gets distracted. If that works better stick with that while she gets used to retrieving for you on walks and in new situations.
Re: How can I make retrieving a dummy more exciting? We are looking at Katies bottle bumper dummies as we have exactly the same issue, great (well at times..) retrieving around the garden, driveway etc, but a different picture out on walks, chuck anything for him, and yes will amble after it! Not wanting to spend money on the Katie bottle dummies, I cobbled one together, using an old sock (one of hubbies) pushing a tennis ball in the bottom, then inside this placing a small plastic water bottle, (with holes in it.) filled with some of his favourite smelly treats. Well he loves this game!! ;D Goes belting after the sock, and brings it right back to my hand, patiently waiting for me to open and give him a few treats from this. I am clicking when he brings the bottle in sock back to reinforce this behaviour. I think he also enjoys this as he has to use his nose too, ( one of throws landed in long grass..) Don't ask me why he doesn't chomp on the bottle himself..... : Hubby is going to make one this weekend, by using some old canvass, sewing a tennis ball in one end, velcro inside for the bottle and a streamer at the end so it attracts his attention as it flys through the air! ;D ;D
Re: How can I make retrieving a dummy more exciting? Brilliant idea Kate and easy to replace if it does get damaged. Personally I don't think it matters what you use to retrieve to begin with. Once you've built up the desire it's easier to get them to retrieve other things but to begin with I think it's more important to use something that grabs them and makes them want to retrieve rather than worrying about using a dummy. I'm off to find some old socks thanks Kate
Re: How can I make retrieving a dummy more exciting? We ought to post our videos of our chicken filled socks flying through the air...my neighbours think I have gone entirely potty! ;D ;D
Re: How can I make retrieving a dummy more exciting? Tie the hosepipe to the dummy (or part of it if it long) and then gradually reduce it until there is non left
Re: How can I make retrieving a dummy more exciting? Thanks for all the - very imaginative - suggestions! I'll have a look on-line for a rabbit skin dummy. I think my trainer wouldn't mind that - somehow I can't imagine him being impressed if I turn up with a length of hosepipe! Mind you, once Molly's seasons finished I will definitely try Jen's suggestion of trying the hosepipe on walks, as I hadn't thought of that. Meantime I'll be trying your idea, Barbara, of teasing her with the dummy in the garden. (So hot today, we didn't do any retrieving). Kate - Benson is clearly more advanced than Molly, but it's interesting that you do seem to be having a similar issue. I'll keep an eye out for your progress. By the way I'm quite green with envy at the thought of all that land you have!
