Introducing the dumbell ?

[Silvermarten]

Just curious what techniques have been used by some of the rotti forum members for introducing the dumbell . I'm just intrested in learning more , not necessarily changing what I'm being taught . ( The trainer & classes are awesome ) . Bear in mind I'm VERY new to competition obedience training . Last night was only our second class and this is the first dog for me to work with more than just basic pet type training .
( I know the dumbell isn't used in Novice , but the trainer feels that it's worth introducing early in training so that the dog has some basic idea about it for later training . )

Henry saw a dumbell for the first time last night in class . He thinks it's very weird .
Our trainer has us hold the dog by the collar and gently press the 'bar' against the front teeth until the dog opens his mouth . Insert dumbell and praise . Push up on lower jaw if mouthing or trying to spit out , again praise for holding & still behaviour .

How did you teach your dog ?

[majicka]

im still teaching my dog to take it..he doesn't like it too much. My trainer told me to never force it in his mouth.

She recommended putting spray cheese or peanut butter on it, telling him to "take it" and reward him like crazy when he does.

Happy releases everything quite willingly so that's not the issue for us..it's the "take".

[rottcrazed]

This is something I think cannot be fully described in a post without full visual. I have taught 4 dogs to retrieve and I have NEVER covered the dumbell with food. This might work, but once the food scent is gone, why would the dog retrieve it?

To teach this for open obedience, the dog HAS to be motivated to retrieve. I always teach this as puppies with toys to a command that is NOT what I am going to use on the dumbell, so I tell my dogs to 'get it' with their toys. Plus, it makes retrieving FUN, which is the most important thing. One thing I have learned, if your dog doesn't have the drive to retrieve, teaching a dog to retrieve later in life is like pulling teeth. It can be done, but it is not fun. I make sure that puppies I keep retrieve little paper balls at 7 weeks willingly, or else I don't keep them (just something for future reference)

I have also always done a forced retrieve with my dogs. Two of them have required an ear pinch, but I am not going to explain this in a post because I firmly believe this is something, that if it is going to be taught to the dog at all, needs to be taught by an instructor who is there to make sure it is all done correctly. Forcing a retrieve is not going to lessen the dogs' drive, nor is it cruel, unless it is done incorrectly.

It sounds very much like you are being taught to introduce the dumbell the same as I have been taught, and I have found it works like a charm. When you are teaching this for competition, the dog needs to know that the dumbell goes in the mouth and stays there. It does need to be totally positive, even if they are being corrected for dropping it.

Kristi

[laurlitt]

I taught Maddie to hold items other than the dumbbell first... In Sch. we use wooden dumbbells so she learned to hold wooden dowels and pvc pipe dowels and even metal pipe and other objects. The actual dumbbell was introduced later.

[LynnS]

Bella loves to retrieve, will carry a stick or dowel without any trouble but had no interest in holding a dumbell (understatement) -


I used a forced retrieve (not ear pinch) very similar to what you are being taught.

This did not inhibit her enthusiasm one iota

[Silvermarten]

Originally Posted by rottcrazed

To teach this for open obedience, the dog HAS to be motivated to retrieve. I always teach this as puppies with toys to a command that is NOT what I am going to use on the dumbell, so I tell my dogs to 'get it' with their toys. Plus, it makes retrieving FUN, which is the most important thing. One thing I have learned, if your dog doesn't have the drive to retrieve, teaching a dog to retrieve later in life is like pulling teeth. It can be done, but it is not fun. I make sure that puppies I keep retrieve little paper balls at 7 weeks willingly, or else I don't keep them (just something for future reference)

I have also always done a forced retrieve with my dogs. Two of them have required an ear pinch, but I am not going to explain this in a post because I firmly believe this is something, that if it is going to be taught to the dog at all, needs to be taught by an instructor who is there to make sure it is all done correctly. Forcing a retrieve is not going to lessen the dogs' drive, nor is it cruel, unless it is done incorrectly.

It sounds very much like you are being taught to introduce the dumbell the same as I have been taught, and I have found it works like a charm. When you are teaching this for competition, the dog needs to know that the dumbell goes in the mouth and stays there. It does need to be totally positive, even if they are being corrected for dropping it.

Kristi

Thankyou for sharing your experience ( and the puppy raising retrieving tip too )
It seems like a weird concept for me ( a complete newbie ) to 'force' the dog to take the dumbell . Glad to hear it works well . It doesn't seem distressing to the dog ( at least from my viewpoint ) , just a little confusing ( as are many things when first trained ) .
We're keeping things short and fun while he learns this new behaviour .
Clearly Henry is already starting to catch on as on our forth very brief lesson he actually opened his mouth as the dumbell touched his muzzle , calmly held it for two seconds while I praised him , and then released it when asked

Silly question I didn't think about in class : Does it matter or make any difference training wise where the bar sits in his mouth ?

Thanks again .

[Silvermarten]

Originally Posted by majicka

im still teaching my dog to take it..he doesn't like it too much. My trainer told me to never force it in his mouth.

She recommended putting spray cheese or peanut butter on it, telling him to "take it" and reward him like crazy when he does.

Happy releases everything quite willingly so that's not the issue for us..it's the "take".

Intresting technique . Thankyou for sharing .
How long have you been working with this method ?
Doesn't the 'food' make the dog lick it or mouth it instead of holding it calmly ?

[Judi W]

Different dogs have had different introductions but pretty much along the same theme. Much depends upon how driven they were naturally. The compulsion comes after the dog understands what is expected of it at my house and usually requires maybe only one time. Because I really work at the puppy fetching and carrying things it is not too big a deal, but still that must be transferred to a job as opposed to game at some point.

The carry will always be right behind the canine teeth. Any other placement will result in an unstable carry which probably isn't going to make it over the jump too darn well.

I would never apply food to the dumbell bar. In order for the food to intice, the dog would be licking the bar, delaying in the pick up or mouthing.

[Woofer]

Is Shutzhund a good sport to enroll your rottie in? I thought I would ask in this forum because of the talk about dumbells. I am interested in the sport, but am worried about the scaling wall, and the effect that jumping and impact of landing would have on a rottie. There are not many rotties in the local clubs where I live, and I have been recieving a lot of mixed advice. Thanks so much! (By the way, I would never push my dog to do a sport that would not be good for them or that they wouldn't enjoy, my first concern is the health, happiness and safety of my best friend)