Started Force Fetch Last Night

[graftongal]

Well, I finally started the force fetch lessons with Dax last night and again this morning before work. He's taking to it pretty well with only minimal resistance. So far anyways! He sometimes tries to lay down on the floor instead of sitting and he's been mouthing the bumper a bit. Once I notice he's trying to lay down I'll grab his collar and make him sit, and when he's mouthing the bumper I'll cup his muzzle tightly, so these problems seem to be getting better. Nothing comes easy for me so I'm just waiting for the serious problems to start! :boxing:

[Kevin Hannah]

Make sure your "hold" is real good before you move onto ear pinch.

Kevin

[rocko]

Good Luck with everything!!

[nimkii]

How long did you work with him in each session? 5 minutes, 10 minutes?

[graftongal]

Yep, right around 5-10 minutes. I was always sure to end on a good note, not when he didn't do something right. He still gets excited when he sees the bumper so hopefully that will keep up!

[franklauzon]

It's likely that he won't keep that excited, which is a big reason why I didn't use Bumpers for FF. I would suggest going to a hardware store, get a 3/4" Wood dowel, some pipe insulation for 3/4 inch pipe... Cut the dowl to about 12", cover with 12-14" of insulation, tape the ends of the insulation and stuff it all in the sock. It weighs nothing so the dog has no reason not to pick it up, and it cost about 3$ for enough material to make 3 of these...

Once they understand the force part, then switch back to bumpers.

Just my way

[graftongal]

Well it appears as though we've finally gotten the hold part of FF down this morning. It was a rough go, I had a lot of mouthing problems with him, even with using the leash looped around his muzzle. This morning he sat while I walked away and did not let go of the bumper when I poked him all over and took some swipes at the bumper. I want to give it a couple of more sessions with walking, but then I guess it's on to the force part. :confused:

I know I've still got a long way to go, but man, what a great feeling to know that I've accomplished this little bit with him! It's definately a lot of weight off my shoulders.

[AD18]

If you started with and are still using a bumper I would introduce various other "articles" for hold before moving on to fetch. I used various lengths of 2x2 lumber, plastic piping, objects with weight on one end and not the other, etc. If you have ducks or pigeons get them in too. Make sure when you tell him to hold ANYTHING it stays in until instructed to drop. Once that's done move to fetch in my opinion.

[rocko]

Lots of good info here...thanks!!

[waterfowler65]

If you started with and are still using a bumper I would introduce various other "articles" for hold before moving on to fetch. I used various lengths of 2x2 lumber, plastic piping, objects with weight on one end and not the other, etc. If you have ducks or pigeons get them in too. Make sure when you tell him to hold ANYTHING it stays in until instructed to drop. Once that's done move to fetch in my opinion.


this is so true, I've used a sawed off hockey stick handles, a hammer, and my favorite "BEER", lol...comes in realy handy when playing horseshoes I send the dog to the camp with an MT and the wife switches them out for a full one....You see Labs are not just for blind people they are for boozers too.......:darkbeer: there's nothing they wont "hold"

later.......Marc...

[graftongal]

Thanks for the advice. I tried a few things last night that I found laying around. He kind of looked at me strange but did hold them. I will see what else I can find this weekend.

On another note, last night I did the walking hold with him when we were about halfway through our evening walk. The beginning was really tough, as soon as he'd start walking he would drop the dummy. After about a million tries he finally did a few solid goes at it. I decided that was a perfect note to leave the session off. I went to stick the bumper in my pocket and he grabbed it from he and held it the entire way home which was about 30 minutes left in our walk. I think something either snapped in him or clicked, he either said "You want me to hold it, oh I'll hold it :censored: !", or he said "Wow, this is kinda fun!". I guess I'll never know, but I think he probably went with the first, lol! He even held it when peeing like a "big boy", which is another recent accomplishment in itself! Ah... my little man is growing up so fast...

[AD18]

Sounds like you are making great progress!!!! Word of caution. He gets the bumper on your terms, not his. Don't let him grab the bumper from your hand or pocket after you've told him to let go of it. Once he's let go, it's yours again. Another thing I do is have him hold, sit while you walk across the room or yard, then a "here/heal" to you with a solid hold. Just another indicator of your progress, but sounds like he is figuring it out. Good luck, and hope to have a chat with you maybe Sunday.

[rocko]

Good stuff...I always like to hear how other people are coming along with their dogs. Now only if my force fetch was coming along that well.....my pup acts like its the end of the world when I put the dowel in his mouth.....Its going to be long haul...:omg:

[nimkii]

Patience, patience, patience...Abbie is coming along now, its been about two weeks. She's just starting to get the idea. Just keep at it and don't get frustrated...working for me so far.

[nimkii]

Just an update, I think (I don't want to rush it) Abbie is ready for the ear pinch now. I can do her obedience commands while she holds the bumper and after a couple of sessions she'll now hold a drywall hammer and do the commands as well. I can also take her for her walks and she'll carry the bumper the entire time. Is it time to move on?