First steps of bringing things??

[AM]

Hi again.

Now that's something I would love to teach him :D An article here just brought my attention to teach the dog to bring things.

How do I approach this? What are the first steps to train??

Thanks

[Judi W]

There are formal retrieves and then there are the "here, I've just brought you some great stuff" kind of fetching.

I never discourage the "great stuff" fetching as I've found it makes the formal retrieve easier if the dog has already been praised for fetching "stuff". I admire the stuff, return it to them if it's something they can have, thank them and take it if it is not (remember the "thank you" part as it is important) and in general tell them how very clever they are to bring me things. The dogs are bringing in the paper long before I am ready for formal retrieves. How the formal dumbell is taught, varies with the dog but yes, it is different. I've just finished teaching two youngsters the formal retrieve and the method I used was different for each. anyway, ......

Step one, don't ever discourage fetching.

[Mojave's Mom]

Judi...along the lines of unpleasant retrieves...Mojave brought me a dead mouse from the backyard once just trotted right over with a huge "jiggle butt" going and dropped the thing at my feet....but he seemed sooooo pleased with himself that I couldn't be mad. He's so sensitive, that I knew I'd ruin the retrieving thing if I reacted badly.

So Judi is soooo right! No matter what, praise praise praise when they bring you anything at all!

[Judi W]

It's a trick I learned from the field dog people. No matter what, you say "thank you" and ooohhh and ahhh over the gift. (yes, I've received mice, birds and assorted strange things too). The thing is, they are not allowed to lie down with their finds. When a dog lies down, it is posession and if it is not something of theirs, that is a no-no. You then call the dog to you with a "what have you got?....." and praise them. Beats heck out of playing keep-away with something they aren't supposed to have. If it is something they can have, you admire it and return it. This puts a picture in their mind of bringing you something to be a very fine and clever thing to do. Best if they will bring it to hand.

[PuppyLove]

I went this route with Cyrus, too. He follows me around the house, cleaning, doing laundry, etc. When I would drop anything, or if my husband had left something very tempting (like dirty socks!) on the ground, Cy would grab them. As a small puppy, drop it didn't sink in right away. I started saying "What've you got?" then place my hand under his chin and say "Drop it" and a "thank you, good boy" when he did. Lots of praise. Well now he picks up laundry for me cause he thinks it's his job. He'll gather socks, underwear :D , all the good doggy-loving stuff for me and either bring it over or pile it at my feet near the washing machine (I kid you not!). He's a great little helper. If I drop something and don't know it, he picks it up and follows me with it until I turn and notice he has it.

Now if only I can get him to mop the floors.....

[Judi W]

You have described exactly why I treat puppies carrying things the way I do. The end result is very positive for both dog and owner.

[sugarmaginva]

How do I teach them to get me a beer from the fridge?? :D

[Burnsway]

Sugarmom

you tie a rope or towel around the fridge so they can open it. First step.....teach him what a beer or coke is. 2nd step teach them how to open fridge. Third step teach them how to retrieve the object.
4th step teach them that that object is in fridge.......then put all steps together..... :D

But be forwarned from one who taught this successfully. If dogs have access to fridge while you are gone you need to padlock it......

Oh Im sorry you were jokeing...... :D :D

I wasnt......