How To Fix Problems With The 揊etch?or 揃ring?Command.

Hello Adam:
I have a chocolate Labrador Retriever (very active) that is being trained (in OPEN class now) and he seems to be regressing since we are working on retrieving.

He retrieves very well with the dumbbell, etc., but other dogs in the class do not. And they bring toys for their retrieval work.

My problem is that my dog is just "overcome" with these toys and isn't paying close attention to me. He goes after THEIR toy many times instead of HIS dumbbell.

He knows the command "look" or WATCH ME" but serious corrections don't even deter his disobedience on this toy-retrieval.
HELP! How should I handle this?

Thank you!
Mary

Dear Mary:

These are the type of questions that I like. They抮e interesting.
First, make absolute 100% sure that your dog DOES understand the 揃ring?or 揊etch?command.

Assuming that he does, here抯 the next step:
Recognize that the problem you抮e having is one of disrespect. The reason that your dog goes for his neighbor抯 toy AFTER you抳e clearly commanded him to BRING his dumbbell is that he CARES LESS about what you want. As the dog goes into 憄lay/prey?drive, his sensitivity to your corrections goes WAY DOWN. In other words, you抮e giving him a $2 ticket and he needs a $200 ticket.

Here抯 the easiest way to communicate to your dog (with this exercise) that you are serious:

Buy a remote electronic training collar. I recommend Innotek or Dogtra.

Here抯 how to use it to fix your dog problem:

Follow the directions on matching the e-collar (remote electronic training collar) to your dog抯 temperament.

Next, place a dumbbell on the opposite side of the room梥traight in front of the dog-- and also place a distraction toy?off to the right.

Send the dog to retrieve the dumbbell. Let him wear a long line, also.
As he starts to veer to the right to go after the toy, say, 揘o!?in a loud, forceful tone and then immediately stimulate him with the e-collar. Re-issue the 揃ring?or 揊etch?command and use the long line to redirect him back on course, as he may be confused. When the dog starts to go toward the dumbbell again, immediately begin loud verbal praise, 揋ood dog, Good dog.?BR>
There you go. Now just repeat this same exercise by altering the training location and the type of distractions. After a few times you抣l be able to eliminate the long line. And after a few set-ups, the problem will be fixed.
To read more of my dog training ramblings, read about my book (click below):
http://tinyurl.com/4efaq