For me, this mornings force fetch was too good not to share. I don’t sleep well and some time last night I thought that Sally wasn’t really returning to me with the bumpers, on the retrieving bench, but was bringing them back to the milk carton I store them in. I thought I should reverse the retrieving process.
Sally The milk carton I store the bumpers in is behind her.
Sally
A really big bumper.
This morning when I put her on the bench after petting her from both sides, I whoaed her on the end of the bench, away from the milk carton. When I started to the other end to get bumpers she wanted to follow me. I had to whoa her again. I took 4 bumpers from the milk carton and placed them on the bench. I went back to Sally, petted her, waved my hand down the bench and said, “fetch”. She had no idea what to do. She started down the bench but came back. I walked down the bench with her, put my hand beside a bumper and said, “fetch” again. She scooped up the bumper and followed me back down the bench.
I petted her for a few seconds after she dropped the bumper in my hand then waved my hand down the bench and said, “fetch”. I walked with her but she grabbed a bumper and returned with me. I took the bumper then sent her for another. When she picked it up I clapped my hands loudly and got really animated. He tail was wagging when she gave me the bumper.
She retrieved all 4 bumpers twice each then I put her on the ground. I had put the 4 bumpers we were working with in a circle about 10 yards from the retrieving bench. I led her toward the first bumper and when we were close I said, “fetch”. She dropped her head but just nuzzled the bumper without picking it up. She circled me tangling the leash around my legs. I got her straightened out then led her to the bumper again. This time as we got close I held the button on the e-collar down on medium 1 and said, “fetch”. She grabbed the bumper. I knelt beside her, petted her and said, “give”. She dropped it in my hand.
I led her to the next and when we were close I held the button on the e-collar down again, still on medium 1. She grabbed the bumper and I had her carry it a few feet before I took it from her. She figured this out and started to enjoy herself. She retrieved the 4 bumpers twice then I had her do it one more time and instead of dropping the bumpers behind me I held on to them to return them to the milk carton. I carried 3 and had Sally carry the fourth back. I put my three in the carton and she held the one she had until I took it from her. I released her to run before going back to the kennel.
Most of the time I learn more from the dogs than they do from me. Maybe this whole time Sally was thinking that if I would just leave the bumpers in the carton she wouldn’t have to go get them and bring them back. But once we did it the other way where she brought them to me and we did the walking retrieve on the ground she started to understand the whole concept better. Maybe. I don’t know. But I do know she was a lot better this morning and it seems like she understands better.
Luke pointing a single.
Sally when she was a puppy.
Tur bo