Lesson 7: Understanding the shift in the mechanics

The handler then begins to shorten the distance of the retrieves on the table from 18" to 12 - 15".

Once the dog has passed the 12-15" Retrieve EXAM, the HOLD command is introduced as there are 3 HOLD EXAMS to get through before the HOLD is married to the FETCH command. It can take 1-3 weeks to complete the HOLD EXAMS although the faster the dog succeeds, the easier the learning is on the dog.

So, there is time before the HOLD is married to the FETCH to introduce some key concepts.

1. That shortening the retrieve distance, against an object, trains the dog to look for DB.
2. The dog is doing The Turn, with the jaw continually caged, to SSIF.
3. This is the week for the handler to streamline their mechanics and to insist the dog have self-control before doing the retrieve. 

Once the distance has been successfully accomplished at 15", as odd as it sounds, then we take what feels like a step backwards. Actually, we are backwashing to a shorter retrieve distance, changing some mechanics slightly, and introducing an optical (and physical) 'wall' for the dog to work their retrieves against.  We back up to using a stool, initially a taller stool, in front of the dog at a distance no greater than you are being able to extend your right arm, BUT NOT MOVE YOUR FEET at all.  The DB starts at the dog's eye level and then goes lower and lower, towards the stool, but remains at least 1" ABOVE the stool. The key concepts the dog is learning here are the following:

1. That the dog can work against an elevated surface.
2. The FETCH command still applies although the DB is no longer in front of the dog's face, it is lower and lower, so the dog has to pay attention to WHERE the DB is (marking) and maintaining eye contact with DB as it gets lowered. The dog is learning to 'track' the location of the DB. Also, dogs have a keen sense of smell, 1000% better than ours, so they can also smell the odor of your hand on the DB as well as identify their DB is theirs as it has their smell on the bit. They are learning to 'find', 'identify' and 'locate' their DB in nano seconds so they can put their mouth on DB so EC stops.
3. With # 2 above, this lowering of the DB ALSO greatly increases the precision, focus and intensity of the dog doing the retrieve.
4. The dog can still successfully find and put mouth on DB and do the Turn (the handler has to back up).
5. This method eliminates the handlers that have, thus far, 'cheated' unknowingly by helping their dogs and once their dogs move, the handler has a tendency to place the DB in dogs' mouth once it starts moving. This is a huge issue as the dog learns it isn't responsible for driving forward, accurately and precisely, by getting its mouth on DB ASAP.  A handler that does this causes the dog to be sloppy in its drive and precision which also destroys that much desired FAST retrieve. So, a handler working above a stool HAS TO LOCK their right arm requiring the dog to 'reach' for the DB, ASAP ...and do so correctly.  Eliminates a ton of handling errors.

Once the dog can do one height of stool, then you bring out a lower stool, and then another lower stool.  In time, your dog should be able do a retrieve anywhere, in any setting, and when send 'locate and immediately find' the DB no matter where it is. This is necessary for the dog's precision and confidence that a Fetch command means a Fetch command even when the DB falls to the ground and rolls under the chair.

This method cements in confidence in the dog that when they've been sent to "Fetch", even if they can't see it fall (like keys falling out of my pocket in the woods) I can turn and send my dog to "Fetch" and my dog will confidently head in that direction knowing there is a 'something' they are to retrieve.  This principle ensures the dog at this short distance of retrieving will go quickly trusting you that there is 'something' for it to retrieve. Easier to build skill set, confidence and muscle memory at a short distance than a longer distance. 

Why not do this piece of the training at a longer retrieve distance?  Because shortly, shortly, very very soon, the HOLD will be married to the Fetch command.  Once that is done, the ALL IMPORTANT moment of transformation occurs which is taking the DB to the ground, the finger on it, then the hand parallel to the ground but not touching the DB. Finally, the BIG moment, the collar is High and Snug, Fold Back, thumb in ear (no pressure), the dog is left in a Sit/Stay as the right foot stepped forward to place DB on the ground, the handler straightens up tall and straight, and commands, "Fetch" while releasing the collar completely.

Now, there is NO immediate EC, there is no pressure, and there is only a slack collar. The dog either responds correctly by going forward to DB on ground and picks up DB as it does The Turn....OR the dog does a No-go and chokes on following the command given, the same command that has been shaped, molded, supported, and guided through to success for weeks.  If no immediate forward launch at warp speed to complete the command given, for weeks, the handler then snubs back the dog so THEY CAN'T now launch forward to get DB, and gets on the dog's ear (or ears) and gives an EC all the way to the DB on ground until the dog puts its mouth on DB.

That is where all of this training is taking you - to that transformational moment when DB is on the ground and the dog has no physical motivation to move forward other than weeks of training. So, the handler helps the dog by reminding it that although the collar mechanics are gone, the command still has the same expectation of being followed and if so, praise. If not, the handler has the ability to reach out and help dog with the EC all the way to the DB.

Do this right at this stage and adding distance to the retrieve is super easy. Really it is.  Fail to do all of this right and the retrieve training bogs down into a quagmire of the dog NOT believing their handler and it is super HARD to train a dog once they disbelieve you. Really, it is a nightmare.  

So, follow the process and soon, your dog will be retrieving on command, FAST and accurately. 

Food for thought.