This week I am going to try something different. I will ask you the question, and look forward to reading your training tip(s).
How do I teach my dog to retrieve?
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Dog Responsibly....University of Doglando
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What worked really well for us with our amazingly handsome German Shepherd, Zen, was a 3 step process.
First, we taught him to 'come' on command using a long lead, lots of treats and a sharp voice. It was from a short distance at first, gradually getting bigger and bigger. He now (usually) comes running when he hears the command, even from as far away as about 200 feet.
Second, we taught him to 'drop it' on command. We'd letting him play with a favorite toy. While he was trying to rip the toy apart, we'd present a smelly but delicious treat in our closed fist, near his face, and tell him to 'drop it'. Once he smelled the good stuff, he dropped whatever was in his mouth and was immediately awarded with the treat. That didn't take him too long to learn.
Third, I combined the two above commands with our big yard and any of his favorite (and rugged) toys. I'd throw the toy a small distance. Once it was in his mouth, I'd praise him then immediately give the 'come' command. If he showed up with the toy, I'd wait for him to sit then ask him to 'drop it'. If he listened, he got plenty of love and treats.
I'd repeat the above process a few times until he started to understand that if I throw a toy, then tell him to 'come' to me, he would only get the reward if he ran right up to me, sat down, then dropped the toy at my feet. That's my boy!
It took us a few weekends to get him consistently doing this. He does it all the time now.
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