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Training TIPS
What does it mean to force fetch a dog?
The term force fetch describes the process of training a dog to pick
up, hold, and release an object on command. A dog's natural instinct is to eat birds. Dogs must be trained to overcome this instinct and handle game in a manner that leaves it intact.
Force Fetching is vital to any retriever program because it builds the foundation for successful marks and helps introduce pressure into a dog's training experience. The term pressure can be understood as negative reinforcement. When a dog does not follow a command that it has been educated on, negative reinforcement can be applied as a way to help change behavior. In this way, a dog learns how to deal with pressure by changing its behavior. The ability to handle the element of pressure is a vital part of any dog's retriever program.
Three Basic Components of Force Fetching
The three components of force fetching are the Fetch, the Hold, and the Release. Commands are used to teach each step.
Many people use the terms Retrieving and Fetching interchangeably. For our purposes, however, a Fetch is defined as the act of the dog reaching for an object and picking it up in its mouth. This is different than a Retrieve because a complete retrieve involves not only the act of fetching an object, but also the actions of holding the object and delivering to hand.
After an object is fetched the dog must hold it until the command to release is given. Teaching a dog to hold an object until given a command to release it prevents game from being dropped or lost in the field.
Finally, the dog is taught to release the object by pulling its mouth of the object. The handler should never have to pull game out of the dog's mouth.
Teaching Fetch
Holding a plastic or canvas dummy or bumper in one hand, use your other hand to pull the dogs lips back out of the way of his teeth. Now roll the bumper into the dog's mouth while giving the command "Fetch". The goal in this step is to have the dog associate the command "fetch" with the action of putting something in its mouth. In advanced stages of teaching, "Fetch" involves the dog actually reaching for the bumper on hits own.
Teaching Hold
Once the dog has "fetched" a bumper you need to train it to hold it without
dropping it. At first, after the bumper is in the dog's mouth you give the
command "hold" while the dog has the bumper in its mouth. You'll need to
help the dog by watching closely for the beginnings of a drop. As soon
as you see the dog loosing its grip or opening its mouth, tap the bumper
back into
its mouth and say, "hold". It helps to keep the dog's attention focused
on you and its head up. Tapping underneath the dog's chin while saying, "hold" may
help.
Teaching "hold" is something that can be done in quick 10-15 minute sessions
everyday around the house, and it is vital to the success of your force
fetch program and your overall retriever program.
Keep practicing this until your dog can go longer durations without dropping the bumper. In the next section you'll read how to incorporate the release command, and later you'll add movement to start bringing it all together.
Teaching Release
When taking the bumper from the dog's mouth, always give a release command. We use the word "give". Never pull the bumper out of the dog's mouth. Let the dog pull its mouth off the bumper. After repetition the dog will associate this command with a clean release.
You shouldn't let your dog forecast this command. In other words, don't let the dog associate your reaching action as a substitute for "give". As your dog begins to understand the command you should be able to reach, grab, and hold the bumper in your hand for a few seconds without the dog releasing it. Only upon hearing the command "give" should the dog release the bumper. Again, the dog should give the bumper up freely, pulling its mouth off the bumper and away.
Adding Movement
Once the dog starts understanding "hold" and "give" and can reliably hold
the bumper without dropping it for longer durations, it's time to add movement.
Start slow at first. Heel your dog on a short lead while making him hold
the bumper, giving the command "hold" every few steps. Even if your dog
can heel off-lead, it's still a good idea to use a lead at this point to minimize
the dog's tendency to become distracted and lose focus. Once your dog can
reliably and consistently hold the bumper while heeling on a short lead,
you can start to add more factors. Make the dog sit a few feet away from
you while
holding the bumper. Remember to emphasize the command to "hold", even if
you are reminding the dog to sit and stay in between.
Next, have the dog sit and hold the bumper and with 10 feet or so between
you and the dog tell him to come. You'll be looking for a couple things here.
You don't want the dog to drop the bumper, so you'll have to keep giving the "hold" command
as he comes in. You also don't want him to drop it after he gets to you. You
avoid this by telling the dog to 'sit' or 'heel' at your side, still holding
the bumper. This takes patience, timing and practice.
Remember, use the 'give' command when you take the bumper and remember to give lots of praise every time he does it right.
Introducing Pressure
First, a couple words about what pressure is and is not. Pressure is the use of firm but fair correction in training to reinforce a command that a dog already understands. Pressure is not abusing the dog or dominating a dog into a certain behavior. It's important to point out that pressure should never be applied as a training tool unless the dog already understands the command you are giving. Pressure is not used to educate a dog on new concepts or commands. It is a reinforcement tool only.
By the time you introduce pressure during your force fetch, the dog should have a solid understanding of all commands. If the dog will reach for a bumper when you hold it inches from his mouth, in your hand, but he will not reach for a bumper that he has dropped on the ground, you can use pressure to overcome this refusal.
Pressure is applied as soon as a refusal begins and stopped as soon as the dog exhibits the correct behavior. In this way the dog learns to deal with pressure and achieve success. Your dog's ability to deal with pressure is vital to advanced training and is an integral part of building a positive, successful relationship of mutual respect between dog and handler.
Putting It All Together
Once your dog understands your commands for Fetch, Hold, and Release, you can start enforcing your force fetch during your marking drills to achieve a clean retrieve without drops, ending in delivery to hand every time!
Force fetch gives you an opportunity to introduce pressure and teach your dog about how to deal with it through success. It is the core foundation to any other retriever training you plan to do.
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