Put the retrieve back into retriever

    
Interested in finding a way to exercise your dog that doesn’t tire you out? Playing fetch will not only accomplish this goal but will also strengthen your bond with your four-legged best friend. What a win-win scenario!

Most dogs love chasing balls (or other toys) but many canines don’t do a good job of bringing the item back, resulting in games of keep-away or catch-me-if-you-can instead. This can be avoided by using back-chaining to train (or retrain) the retrieve.

Back-chaining (which is also used to teach humans complex sequences) involves breaking a complex task into small steps, and then training the tasks backwards. Because the last step of the sequence has been practiced (and rewarded) most often, the dog will work towards this last step with desire and confidence in a very short period of time.

   

Steps to teaching a retrieve

The five steps in a retrieve might involve:

1.  Throwing the ball
2.  Dog running to get the ball
3.  Dog turning and heading back to you
4.  Dog approaching you with the ball
5.  Dog dropping the ball

Teach the dog these steps in reverse and then chain them together as each step is mastered.

  

Step 5 - “drop it”

It is easier for your dog to understand “drop it” if you teach the opposite cue, “get it,” at the same time.

* Give your dog the ball and, as he is taking it, say “get it.” Verbally praise your dog.
* Next, show your dog a high-value treat.
* When he opens his mouth (and drops the ball) to take the treat, say “drop it.” As he takes the treat, grab the ball.
* Once he finishes eating the treat, give (or toss) the ball back to your dog using the “get it” cue.
* Repeat several times.

Eventually, your dog will drop the ball (in anticipation) before you show him the treat. You can then quickly pick up the ball and return it to him with the “get it” cue without showing (or giving) him the treat. Getting the ball back is now the reward.

Step 4 – approaching you with the ball

Put your dog on a leash (or long line) so you can stand on the leash if you need to keep your dog from running off. Step 4 teaches your dog to take a few steps towards you; you then chain this behavior to the “drop it” cue – step 5 - which your dog has already learned.

* Hand your dog the ball and tell him to “get it.”
* Take one step backwards and encourage (or call) your dog to come.
* Ask your dog to “drop it.”
* Once he drops the ball, praise your dog and immediately pick up the ball.
* Repeat several times, taking only one step backwards.
* Once your dog understands the game, repeat but take two steps backwards; then three.

Step 3 - dog turns and heads back to you

 The next step is to slowly add distance. Roll the ball so it lands between you and the dog. This will then be chained to the behaviors your dog has already mastered (step 4, approaching you and step 5, dropping the ball.)

* Have your dog sit and stay a few feet away.
* Roll the ball towards, but not past, your dog.
* Encourage him to “get it” and step backwards briskly, encouraging him to come.
* When he reaches you, ask him to “drop it.”
* Praise him and repeat several times.
* Next, perform the same sequence but roll the ball past the dog.

Do not move on to the next step until your dog is proficient with this step. Be generous with your praise and keep the game fast-moving.

Steps 1 and 2 - dog runs to get the ball after you throw it

The last two steps will be chained to steps 3, 4 and 5 that your dog already knows. The distance of the first throw should be less than the distance in step 3; slowly increase the distance with each subsequent toss.

* Throw the ball towards, but not past, your dog.
* Encourage him to “get it” and step backwards briskly.
* When he reaches you, ask him to “drop it.”
* Praise him and repeat several times.
* Next, execute the same sequence but throw the ball past the dog.

Helpful hints

* If your dog won’t come, try running away from your dog and turning the retrieve game into a retrieve, chase-the-human and “drop it” game.

* If your dog is more food-motivated than toy-motivated, combine rewarding your dog with a treat when he returns the ball. Eventually, you will be able to phase out the treat.

* If your dog runs away with the ball, use a long line to manage how far away he can go; this will give you some leverage to encourage him to return to you with the ball.

* Using two balls can often motivate your dog to return the one he has. A moving ball (one you are tossing up into the air and catching) is much more interesting than a dead ball.

* Once your dog learns to love the game of fetch, he may, in his excitement, drop the ball near you but out of reach. Try asking your dog to “get it” and point to a spot next to you and ask your dog to “drop it.” Do not get the ball for your dog; hang tough and encourage him to pick the ball up and drop it a bit closer.
  

Warm up your pitching arm and have fun.   Happy training!

Luvk9s Dog Training