Class notes: Shaped retrieve

Day 1

Begin with the dumbbell either on the ground or in your hand. On the ground works fine unless the dog wants to hit it with his front feet. We want to reinforce any interaction with the dumbbell, but OTOH, we don’t want to reinforce anything we’ll have to get rid of later, such as pouncing on the dumbbell and sending it skittering across the floor. As you can imagine, dogs like this game!

If your dog shows any tendency to pounce, begin with the dumbbell in your hand. Show the dog the dumbbell and MARK/TREAT for any reaction.

If you’re beginning with the DB on the ground, place it on the ground, then move it slightly with a foot so the dog looks down. MARK/TREAT for any reaction.

In the beginning the dog needs a high level of rewards in order to keep trying, so you may need to help by moving the DB so the dog has a reason to notice it. But only do that a few — that’s three, maybe five — times!

Now wait for the dog to show you that he’s noticed the dumbbell without you moving or waving it. MARK/TREAT for any reaction.

Patience is the key to getting your dog to try something new.

Your goal today: The dog touches the bar of the dumbbell with his nose.

If he touches the bell in the beginning, reward for that a few times. Once the dog shows you that he understands touching is what gets him the reward, stop rewarding him for touching the bell. Only reward for touching the bar.

Steps:

• notice
• move towards
• touch briefly with nose
• touch longer with nose
• touch the bar with nose

Ignore:

• pawing the dumbbell
• barking

Important: reward success and ignore failure. If you don’t like, ignore it!

Happy training!