- Have dog on a Place Stool
- Make sure ground surface where you are working dog on Place Stool has some cushion (carpet or rugs or etc, not a hard surface)
- Dog is to have on chain collar only (especially important come Lesson # 2)
- Leash should be on the ground (not in your hand)
- You are on your dogs right side, your dog is on your left side
- The dowel should be easily accessible (highly recommend it be under your right armpit)
- The dog is given a "Place" command on stool, then a "Sit" command while on stool. Making sure the dog is on a Sit puts it into Social Drive. Some dogs DO learn the retrieve on a Down, but it is easier for the handler to control the dog and help them succeed by having them on a Sit. Whatever is the easier position for the dog/handler during this first lesson.
- Open dogs mouth with your left hand - try to keep hand open so dog can see
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| Open dogs mouth and immediately present dowel saying "Fetch" |
9. Command "Fetch" as dowel is presented exactly at dogs mouth...do not wave it around...one fluid motion from taking dowel out from your right armpit with your right hand to present dowel IMMEDIATELY. Your right fingers gently wrap the dogs upper lip towards their canine teeth as you open - this protects you.
10. Use your right fingers to 'cage' the lower jaw....maintain caging no matter what to help dog keep dowel in mouth.
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'Cage' the dogs lower chin continuously
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11. Use your right thumb on dogs top of nose as pressure - DO NOT DO A DEATH GRIP as that is uncomfortable and weird to your dog.
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| 'Cage' the lower chin as your put slight pressure with right thumb |
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| Then do the Conditioned Relaxation Stroke from nose to back of neck |
12) Use the Conditioned Relaxing Stroke (gentle, slow stroke from nose to back of neck)
13) The placement of dowel is CRITICAL to the dog being comfortable (well as comfortable as you would be with a wooden dowel being placed in your mouth) so MAKE SURE it is in the 'resting place' which is directly behind the canine teeth. There is a place God made where your finger can actually 'rest' inside the dogs mouth, this is where the dowel is rolled in.
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| See the large downward white pointed teeth? Those are a dogs canine teeth. There is a gap directly behind them. |
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| This is the 'resting spot' for the dowel. |
14) Use your left hand four fingers to exert pressure downward IF/WHEN dogs nose begins to go up. This is resistance in the dog and so we put downward pressure to get the dog to lower its nose into a relaxed position thereby putting the dog back into Social Drive which is where KMODT occurs. In Social Drive...always work a dog to put them into Social Drive.
The retrieve is actually Prey Drive so we have to have solid obedience control of a dog to safely, fairly and effectively teach it go remain in Social Drive as it learns to retrieve.
* CRITICAL YOU UNDERSTAND THIS PRINCIPLE*
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| Boaz is unsure |
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| Dowel is correctly placed, no thumb pressure needed so it is released as 'caging the lower chin ALWAYS' continues |
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| Starting the slight pressure downward |
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| And now the continued 'caging the lower chin' as Conditioned Relaxation Stroke occurs. You can praise here or say "Yes" to encourage. REMAIN CCC no matter what as your dog is feeding off your inner emotions and energy. |
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| Although Boaz looks relaxed, do notice his head position |
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| Ahh, there is the body shift I'm waiting for, the dropped head (relaxed and into Social Drive) |
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| Notice Boaz's entire body is relaxed, he almost has his eyes closed and I can now simply 'cage' his lower chin as he has yielded into this thing being in his mouth. THAT is the moment you are waiting to occur |
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Notice my right thumb is getting ready to go into dogs mouth (nails are mighty handy when initially doing this) and notice how careful I am with my other right hand fingers to stay AWAY from dogs teeth.
16) No picture here, but when you remove the dowel, take it away quickly, ALMOST A REVERSE MECHANIC and put back under your right armpit.
DO NOT WAVE IT AROUND,
DO NOT TEASE THE DOG BY LETTING THEM SEE IT REMOVED,
DO NOT TAKE IT AWAY AND GO UP OR AT A DIAGONAL LINE WHERE THE DOG CAN SEE IT.
THIS PUTS A DOG INTO PREY DRIVE AND THEY WILL SEEK TO GET THE DOWEL AGAIN.
YOU DON'T WANT THEM IN PREY DRIVE.
There you have it.
The Retrieve "Fetch" Lesson 1 in words, sequencing and photos.
Clear as mud?
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