Hold/Force Fetch...Table or Not

[rocko]

How many people use a table to teach the hold/force fetch command? Also, has anyone used the leg harnesses on there dogs while teaching hold/force fetch......as described in this article

http://www.dobbsdogs.com/library/retrievers/rjpart1.html

[graftongal]

Wonder if he's sponsored by Tri-Tronics? I love those plugs!

[Hiscoke]

We do all our force fetching on a table. I've never had to use hobbles with any of my dogs but I have watched people force fetch dogs who did need them.

[luvmylabs]

We have never used a table to force fetch. There was one pup it took two of us to control for the first session or two, but that was unusual. Tables are easier because the dog is controled leaving your hands free, but since we only FF maybe one dog a year, we don't feel it is worth taking up the extra space, when we can do it in the rec room in comfort. All our other dogs run for their kennel as soon as they see the FF buck come out. Don't have to worry about distractions from them:amen: Never thought of using a harness and other than the one dog, would have never needed to use it. My concern would be that the dog would be so concerned about being restrained that way, that they would not concentrate on the FF program. Maybe if he was used to it first it would be ok. Fighting the harness would not be the best way to get the dog to listen to you. :hand:
My 2 cents

Anne

[ducksoup]

Just to clarify Jim Dobbs doesn't work for Tritronics any more -- the Tritronics Retriever Training Book by him is pretty dated -- not up to same approach as newer collar based programs (Lardy, Smartworks, Attar, even Rorem/Carr--Carr was surprisingly ahead of others) -- but these articles are great -- originally written for Retriever Journal I believe -- and a table is good to use as dog is up off ground -- easier to control

[franklauzon]

I used a table, and it's great, no bending, and dog is at your level.

[Kevin Hannah]

I use a table for the first little while so the dog is at my level. once they are moving around for the dowels I move them down onto the floor. My back really prefers the table but I like to be able to get them down and moving around once they get it.

Kevin