Ditto! Super cute
@ThatYellowDog!
@Aspen had another trainer help with Dexter not too long ago on a more formal retrieve and hold. He sometimes moves small items around in his mouth (retrieving clicker and quarter for his quarter in a shot glass trick) and don't want that carrying over to other areas. Ultimately my goals are Rally free/trick related (want a hold on fifferent positions like sit and beg as well as to carry items like a basket or flag while heeling or other moving behaviors) but her obedience dumbbell skills will def help me get what I want. Just a different application. totally ignore if you feel this doesn't apply to what you want.
Started with checking how he bites and holds items because he already has a informal retrieve (Would have probably shaped it if not). Used a marker for this as I didn't have his dumbbell. Should be behind the canines, not way back in the mouth. Holding in the back of the mouth results in rolling and chomping/biting rather than a nice still hold. He was already biting properly so skipped ahead with different exercises.
Encouraged him to pull on the item as I held it to strengthen his hold. He was a bit confused as aleady has a retrieve to hand so instead experimented with asking him to take the item, and then tapping or bumping the item with my fingers. If he dropped it, we reset. If his grip was good/didn't drop it then he was clicked and treated.
Ping ponged time holding the item in front. So for example 2 second hold c+t, 4 second hold, 1 second hold, 3 second hold, 5 second hold, 2 second, etc. Just bouncing around within his window of capability.
Also held the item out to the side, asked him to get it, and then return to front. Allowed us to better watch how he was biting and carrying as he moved rewarding only the times ge gripped properly. May not be super important if only working a stationary hold but if wanting to train a trick like carry a basket or something, will help.
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