Retrieval Training

[Stella]

My LD loves to play fetch, and will play and play and play! We have been thinking that it would be fun to try some more formal retrieval training with him. I have been researching on the internet, but all I can find are Kennel Club associated training clubs. I am thinking that our LD wouldn't really be welcome there!! We wouldn't want to go and compete, just thought the training would be fun, and a good way for him to channel his love of retreiving! Has anyone else tried this? Can you recommend anywhere we can try where doodles would be welcome? (I am in Southern Ontario)

[Adina P]

I'm a member of our local Kennel Club and they have been very nice and at least to my face have not said anything negative about Rosco. Our club meets in a hotel conference room and dogs are always welcome and I bring him with me and the members always fawn over him. If you are uncomfortable saying he's a 'labradoodle' just say lab mix or poodle mix.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Is there such a thing as retrieval competitions? This is the first kind of training/organized activity/competition that it sounds like Jack would enjoy or be able to do.
What does retrieval training involve besides going to get the object and bringing it back to you? Because JD would already win first place in that, lol.
I am very interested to hear more about this.

[Doodle Kisses]

I'm pretty sure it has to do with the 'formal retrieve' in Open and Utility obedience which involves:

-object discrimination...picking the right object out of a pile
-doing a formal recall with the object
-giving it to your hand not dropping it at your feet
-you'd toss it and the dog would wait for the cue before going to get it and it would have to jump over a jump to get it and return over the jump into a front.

So you could train Jack to get your keys, slippers, anything :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Not unless the keys, slippers, etc. looked like a tennis ball. :(

[Leslie and Halas]

Maybe you could hide those objects inside the tennis balls.

[Adina P]

By the way, I started training Rosco in the formal retrieve, but without a future goal like a certificate or competition option...I gave up. We were doing okay, but lost momentum.

I would contact the training club and ask for recommendations for trainers or classes that teach the retrieve. Training clubs aren't always structured...sometimes people just get together and practice their training in the same area or help critique each other before competition, but you may not get a full lesson that way.

Also the formal retrieve is very different than playing fetch. Dogs that don't play fetch can be taught to retrieve and dogs that like fetch won't necessarily automatically love the formal retrieve right away.

[Stella]

I was thinking about the type that Adina describes above, or where they have to jump into water and retrieve a 'duck'!! He loves the water and we already tried him with a floating toy and he did pretty good, that is when I thought it would be fun to try and learn how to do it properly!!

Karen, if Jack loves retrieving a ball, have you thought about flyball?? He might enjoy that?!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, I asked Leslie about it, as Halas does flyball. Jack will already put the ball into my hand (or on my head, or in my purse,) or anywhere I tell him to, lol, just to get me to throw it again. And he often goes air-borne to catch the ball, so the jumps would be a piece of cake. He is really not very well trained, but he will do anything for a tennis ball. So I am going to look into it further, thanks!

[Stella]

I am pretty sure he would love that too - if only we had a cottage up north for practicing!! It is funny - Hartley is a true water dog and has been since he was a tiny puppy. Chase, the new puppy, hates the water, hates getting his feet wet or dirty and is generally a prissy boy!!

I am going to do some more searching. I think I would rather work with a trainer, than join a club anyway.

[Adina P]

I think you can do both! Having one trainer and following that trainer's advice will allow you to ignore the myriad of suggestions that may not fit together from others. But the benefit of the club is being able to work your dog around other dogs and see how your dog compares (not in a bad way, but you might see where someone is doing really well and might give you something to work toward or if someone is doing things like you you can watch them and learn visually).

I used to go every week to handling class just for the work around other dogs/distractions. Everyone did their own thing, but it was great to work Rosco there.

[Stella]

That is true. One of Hartleys faults is that he is easily distracted by other dogs. Our fault for not practicing our recall enough amongst distractions - makes him a bit unreliable off leash..... we are still working on it!!

[Joy Originator of GiantSchnoodles]

I just ignore the people & go to who teaches what I want to learn. The people eventually learn to accept you. But they so hatecompetitions when my 8 month old puppy beats out their older experienced dogs that they have been training for years he he. Puppy love from Joy & furry folk