[LynnS]

Originally Posted by Miabella

Well. there are many ways to skin a cat...er, teach retrieving. I prefer a motivational method for teaching the exercise, but I do use a correction for not retrieving once the dog understands the exercise. For Ilsa, I think she's had to be corrected all of twice in her entire retrieving career because she lives for the dumbell.

I teach the dog to initially "take it" but holding a treat behind the db bar. When the opens its mouth to go towards the treat, pop the db in their mouth and gently hold their mouth closed for a second by holding up the chin. Then give them an "out" command and gently take the db and give the treat. You then build up the amount of time they are holding the db.

I think it's important not to skip steps, I like to have a really solid "take it", "hold", and "out" before I add movement. In the meantime, you can continue to build db drive by teasing her with it when you are not actively training.

I think take it and hold will continue to be the drill for a while (I am sure her reasons for having dog move forward a few steps to take it will become clear over time)

I like your suggestion about building drive (since we are no longer in hyper drive LOL) and will try it Thanks!