I hate teaching the holding part of the retrieve. I save it for last as I think both the dog and I have more fun when we're moving around. (Click here for my retrieve training). However getting a solid hold on an object without mouthing is important in the obedience ring and a necessity for the service dogs. No one wants a punctured juice box brought to them!
Luckily the majority of dogs won't mouth if they are moving fast enough so for most service dogs you can get by with just focusing on a solid retrieve to hand or lap as long as the dog is really working at pushing the item into the persons hand. Without formal hold training the dogs can also usually heel with an item in their mouth and also do a quick rise up to a desk and drop/bring an item without mouthing as neither task requires the dog to be standing still. However I still would love for all the dogs to have the ability to sit or stand and hold an object without crunching it to death or rolling it around in their mouth so I try and teach a nice hold if I have time. And with my dogs it is a very fun trick and great for pictures!
I find it very time consuming and have yet to find one easy force free method that will work for the majority of dogs. I use a lot of experimentation and am continuously looking for new ways to explain to the dogs what I want. Here is the list of ideas I have successfully tried, please comment on other methods that work for you! Also note that some of these methods won't work unless your dog already has a
retrieve.
*db= dumbbell, but start out using whatever item the dog enjoys retrieving.
*with any method the click ends the behavior so I could care less if it falls to the ground when I click.
*Remember to click when your dog still has the db in its mouth. If anything try and click early as being late with your timing will just reward the dog for dropping it.
1. Pure shaping- While either holding the db and presenting it to the dog or by having the dog pick it off the floor, gradually delay your click so the dog is holding it for longer and longer. Remember that a dog who starts out with a 1/4sec hold and jumps to a 1/2sec hold has just doubled their time! You can also try clicking when the dog offers a little bit of a tug back on the db while you’re holding it. If the dog is trying to tug then they have a tight grip! As with any metIhod, if the dog mouths at all, even if they don't drop it, I immediately remove the db from their mouth and try again. The goal isn't just to get duration, but to get duration without mouthing!
2. Two Grabs- Require the dog to mouth the db twice before you click. In theory the time between grabs will gradually shorten until the dog gets lazy and offers one tiny bit longer hold instead.
It will first look like grab……grab click. Then grab..grab click. Grab.Grab click. And finally grraaabbb jackpot!
3. Distraction Held Out- (my favorite method!) First your dog has to know to maintain eye contact with you if you hold food out. This should be a strong automatic reflex where the dog really works hard to find your eyes and ignore whatever distraction you are holding out.
Now give your dog the db and immediately hold some treats out to the side or drop them to the floor. Your dog might hold it without realizing it since his brain is so focused on trying to avoid looking at the treats. Click any baby hold your dog just offered.
If you can get a tiny hold this way then start setting the food on a table that is within arms reach. Now when you give the dog the db start reaching towards the food, if your dog drops or mouths the db then return your arms to your side. The goal is to grab a piece of food off of the table before clicking. Then grab the piece of food and bring it towards the dog before clicking, etc.
Edit: Apparently a variation of this method has the
name reverse luring. I've since had good success with the open/closed fist in teaching the hold.
4. Position changes- Since it is easier for the dog to hold the db when moving, see if you can get the dog to do tricks while he has the db in his mouth. Cue a down/beg/heel/spin/whatever while the dog is walking towards you with the db in his mouth or after you give the dog the db. The dog will likely drop it at first but eventually will start multi tasking and then you can ask for two tricks in a row. If you get up to to two tricks in succession you can start delaying the time between the tricks until you have a baby hold while the dog is standing still.
5. Visit- Assuming your dog knows a chin rest behavior, ask the dog to do so to your lap or your palm with the db in his mouth. You might first have to place the db already on your lap/palm and click the dog grabbing it. Work up to the dog grabbing the db and then moving into position and holding it. The db should be resting on your body so all the dog has to do is keep his mouth on the db.
6. Tugging- Using a tug rope or favorite soft toy play a game of tug of war with your dog. When you let go see if your dog will remain holding the rope while you do a short little tug on the rope hanging out the side of his mouth. You want the dog to tighten his grip so that you can’t tug the toy out of his mouth. Play another rousing round of tug of war and then attempt the hold again. The dog should be anticipating the game of tug to start up any minute so should keep a firm grip on the toy.
If your dog has a fabulous tug to open doors you can also try getting him to continually hold the rope so that a heavy door remains open. The dog would have to tighten his grip against the pressure of the door trying to close.
Please add to this list if you have another method for teaching a dog to hold an object. I am certainly not an expert in this area and want new ideas!
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