We had a really nice day yesterday for the force fetch training with Sally. Today, not so much. It was in the 40’s when I got up but in the upper 30’s by the time I went out to work Sally on the force fetch. May snow on Sunday. Will this winter never end?
The 3/4 inch pipe with duct tape ball on one end.
Another bumper.
She watches for the squirrel each time, at first.
I led her out of the kennel with the piggin’ string and we did a few turns to continue the training on heel. I laid the piggin’ string on her back and had her heel for several yards without restraint. I whoaed her, took the piggin’ string off and released her.
She ran and I walked to the bench. As I stood by the retrieving bench she jumped on to the bench. She, usually, looks over the side, in case the squirrel that was hiding under the bench the other day, was going to run out. I walk her back and forth petting her.
I grabbed a bumper but not the usual one I start with. This was the wooden dowel with square blocks on the end. I had to pull pretty hard to get her to take it but she finally did. Then it was no problem. She took it quickly after the first time. I had her take it several times then changed to another.
This morning we went through 5 different bumpers. She did all of them with the exception of the real big one with no problem. When I held the big one in front of her she turned her head away. I held the bumper in the same place but pulled a little harder on the string. She turned back and took the bumper. I had her take it 3 or 4 times and she did with no problem.
I’m not putting more pressure than it takes on force fetch but each refusal works to make her understand that when I say, “fetch” she must take something. I laid the end of some of these bumpers on the retrieving bench and she reached down and took them. Soon I will be able to take my hand off the bumper and she will take it but I’m in no hurry. When we get to that point we’ll get there.
After about 10 or 15 minutes on the retrieving bench I set her on the ground. She ran to the back of the property with me walking along then back to the kennel.
I took her out that afternoon for a few minutes. Not only is she getting better on the force fetch but she is getting better on heel. I, usually, heel her out with the piggin’ string then lay it across her back and make her heel without me touching the piggin’ string. I did some 180 degree turns and she stayed right by my side. It’s funny to see them walk along side of you looking up to see where you are going next.
I let her run for a few minutes then got her on the retrieving bench. This afternoon the wind was blowing and although the temperature was about the same as this morning it seemed colder. I didn’t work her very long.
I used a knobby plastic bumper first and I had to pull on the string to get her started but after the first time she did fine. I changed over to the wooden dowel with the square blocks on the end and she did just fine. Then we did the dowel rod with the dowel through the ends to hold it up. She did it just fine so we went to the fat bumper.
Before we start the force fetch. Tail’s up.
She has been more ready to spit this one out but today she held everything I had her take. It’s nice when they start holding really well. I, also, had her pick it up from the table top as I held on to one end. She’s taking it in her mouth but not raising her head, yet. In front of her face, as she looks at me, she will take it without me pulling on the string. Above her head, she will reach for the bumper without me pulling on the string but down on the table, I have to pull the string. But, I think, today is only day 5, so for that she is doing real well.
This morning the temperature was low twenties so I waited until about 11:00 am to continue the force fetch. I worked on heeling before we got to the retrieving bench. I let her run for a little while then called her back. She was coming in a dead run and I knelt down. She went right on by me and jumped onto the retrieving bench. Pinching her toes hasn’t made her shy of getting on the bench.
I put the string around her leg with a half hitch around her toes after walking her back and forth on the retrieving bench. I did lots of petting when she was walking the bench.
We started with the usual.
We started with the usual one. The bumper that she started with. I still had to pull on the string to get her to take it. I had her take it several times. She holds it real well and reaches above her eyes for it without me pulling the string but when I put the end of it on the table, I have to pull the string.
We did a couple of wooden dowel bumpers then went to the 3/4 inch pipe with a ball of duct tape around one end. She would not take it close to the ball and when I tapped on it she let it drop. She actually opened her mouth so it would drop. I pulled on the string and slowly picked up the bumper. When I got close she opened her mouth for it but grasped it away from the ball. I tapped on the bumper and she opened her mouth letting it drop. I pulled on the string and slowly picked up the bumper. When I got close she opened her mouth and took the bumper. I petted her for a moment then tapped on the bumper. She opened her mouth and let it drop. I pulled on the string and slowly picked up the bumper. When I got close she opened her mouth and took the bumper. I petted her for a few seconds then tapped on the bumper. She opened her mouth dropping the bumper. I pulled on the string and slowly picked the bumper up. When I got close she took the bumper. I petted her for a moment and tapped on the bumper. She held on. I took the end of the bumper and said, “give”. She didn’t release the bumper. I held on to the bumper for a few seconds then said, “give”, again. This time I pushed the bumper back into her mouth and twisted it a little causing her to give it up.
3/4 inch pipe with duct tape ball.
After I fed and clean pens I brought her back out with the piggin’ string. After heeling her for a few minutes I turned her loose to run for a little while before we got serious with the force fetch.
When I headed for the bench she jumped on to it. I hooked her to the pulley system on the bench and walked her back and forth. When she’s running back and forth her tail is up and she’s having a good time.
I put the string around her leg and a half hitch around her toes. I started with the plastic pipe bumper. I had to pull on the string the first time for her to grab the bumper. She held it fine and dropped it when I said, “give”. I had her fetch and give several times then went to the wooden bumper with the blocks on the end. She did these fine with just a steady, light pull on the string. She held it fine even when I tapped on the ends of the bumper.
I made some bumpers out of 1 1/4 inch dowel with some crosses on the end with smaller dowels. I used one of these next and she held it fine even when I tapped on it. When I said, “give” she dropped the bumper.
This morning she had a difficult time with the 3/4 inch pipe with the duct tape ball on one end so it was time to try again. I had to pull a little harder on the string to get her to grab it. She wasn’t holding it very tight so when I tapped on it she opened her mouth and dropped it. I pulled on the string and slowly picked up the bumper. When I got the bumper close she grabbed it. I stroked her head as she held the bumper then tapped on the end. She opened her mouth and dropped the bumper. I pulled on the string as I slowly bent over and picked up the bumper. When I got close to her she grabbed it. I rubbed her head, her sides and told her what a good girl she is. I tapped on the ends of the pipe and she hung on. I stroked her head and ears then tapped on the pipe again. She still hung on. I took the end and said, “give” and she hung on. I held the end for a few seconds and she slowly relaxed her hold then dropped the pipe in my hand.
She has always come to me but this week of working on some other things along with the force fetch has really changed her. She’s heeling with no leash and when I call her she’s coming in a dead run. For her first week she’s doing great on the force fetch. Actually, it’s been a little over a week but some of the days the weather was too bad to train so it’s only been six days, I think. Tomorrow is Sunday so she will get a day off.
When she holds it this close to the ball she will hold it.
The tail isn’t up but it’s getting there.
She likes these lighter bumpers.