WoW! the dumbell didn't explode!

[Franksmom]

I've been working with Frank for about 3 months now with the dumbell, from his point of view he was sure the dumbell was poison or would explode, he would retrieve other things, but not the dumbell.

So I started with simpley putting it in his mouth holding his mouth shut and then treating we worked ourselves up from me not even being able to take my hands off his mouth because he dropped it to retrieving at home.

Then...

Last night at class it was like he flipped a switch or somethng clicked and all of a sudden I had this dog that loved his dumbell! He did all his retrieve's even over the high jump, he just couldn't get enough of it.
I'm so excited I was starting to get alittle frustrated with it, but now I'm so excited all I can think is maybe by the end of 2012 we'll have that CDX!!!

[onyx'girl]

Just make sure he knows it is NOT an option to not retrieve it.
Karlo was the same way with retrieving the SchH dumbbell(we didn't use it to train it, used a dowel or pvc pipe instead) and it did take time to teach and proof him. He had to learn to carry it, jump with it and heel with it before I put the dumbbell into the picture.
Time setting up the right foundation is worth it!
Go Frank!!

[Franksmom]

You are so right about setting a good foundation, I've seen too many dogs at shows that work great in class but then get to the show and decide they don't have to retrieve or carry a dumbell because there's to many more interesting things going on.

Frank wll learn as he goes that not retrieving is not an option. Our instructor is very big on foundation work and the idea that if I say retrieve the dog does it. She gives us alot of ideas on how to handle different situations.