Fetch?

[Phoebe's Mom]

I have failed Phoebe. My doodle is fetch-impaired. I naively thought that my doodle would be innately able to fetch. I soon Iearned the error of my thinking and started about to teach my Phoebe to fetch with yummy treats as the reward. Did anyone ever mention how smart our doodles are (ha!). Phoebe learned from the get-go that I had those treats and it would be really silly of her to pursue that ball/Frisbee/other airborne object when I had the treats in my pocket. I mean, seriously, what if I dropped one and she missed it while she was 'fetching?' Adding insult to injury, not only to we live in a fishbowl with our backyards abutting each other but our neighbor has an uber-trained lab (hunting fanatic). The dog is trained on voice command, whistle and SIGN commands. I mean, really now, it is disgusting (I am so envious!!!). His owner cracks up when he watches Phoebe and I play 'dog fetches, lays down, owner cajoles, dog ignores, owner gets exasperated, goes to dog and dog runs away." You should all try that game, burns tons of calories.

I know I failed her. I need to bite the bullet and come up with another strategy. Any ideas? On the upside, Phoebe is having a blast and getting lots of good running time in but I want a pup who can fetch. I need a trainer...for me...I promise I will work on this because we all don't want that lab (I think I heard him chuckling, too) to be the only doggie on the block who can retrieve!

[Linda and Murphy]

Joanne, as long as you have aspirations. lol

I just realized,Murphy DOES retrieve! He gets the paper every morning. (well, Sunday he only gets half a paper) For cheese.

[Ginny Nightingale]

LOL! I have one who runs to the object thrown and looks at it and another who won't bother unless you have a treat ready--the one waiting for the treat is definitely the smarter one of our doodles. I have tried everything to train them and I am sure it could be done if I had more time. My neighbor's GD loves to retrieve and does it as much as her owner will allow--no treats required!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I have NOT yet earned the honor of retriever. I am but a mere thrower. It is what his humans do. He takes care of us. He protects us. We listen to him. When he calls, we come.

In his mind, he feels, some day, I may be lucky enough to retrieve. He is the only one who can do it so perfectly.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Ohhh so maybe he thinks you are the retriever!! Hey at least you are getting in a workout! LOL

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

As I sit here in the 15 hour of my day I have yet another slimy gross,wet, squeaking ball dripping off my laptop. BE THANKFUL you have arm sockets left. Spud stops every night at 11pm. He starts at 7am.

Oh his way out the door in the morning he picks up the ball at the door and holds it in his mouth while he takes a long pee. Then his day begins. He feels it is MY JOB to serve as his assistant . No, I am not a dog owner rather, I was placed on this earth to throw the ball. It is his job to get it. I am just a mere apprentice or for his job of retrieving. I never get it right either. If he can't get the correct ball, no ball I get for him is good enough. It has to be the particular ball he has chosen for the day. Yes, there could be 17 more in arms reach.... I must throw the correct ball.

Starlit retrieves twice a day just to say she did. I can see her say, " Hey, I'm a retriever too, but let'sust let that idiot get the balls. I'll just watch. "

[Pat and Traveler]

Hey, Phoebe--Traveler here. I'm with you on this whole fetch thing. If my mom wanted the ball, why'd she throw it in the first place!? I keep trying to train her, just like you're doing with your mom, but it's sure a slow process!

[Linda and Murphy]

Murphy retrieves but he would rather CATCH. His greatest ambition is to play wide receiver for the Saints...or at least for the neighborhood flag football team. (He can literally catch a full size football in his mouth.)

For retrieving, I find that multiple items work best. (frisbee, tennis ball, football) He will bring it back immediately, drop it, and run out for a pass. Probably not what you want.

Have you tried working with her in the house (out of sight, low key).

[Phoebe's Mom]

I am really enjoying these responses and knowing that we are not alone. Suzann, unfortunately, Phoebe will run to catch anything from balls to frisbees to her favorite dragon. It is the bringing it back part that she is stuck on. I do agree though, Carol, my exercise time has increased significantly. I also figure that I burn more calories now as I am running after the doodle in snow with boots on...that has to be more resistance, right? Feel the burn!

[cheryl & oliver]

And I thought only my Oliver was fetching impaired, lol...He will go after the ball, or toy, but won't bring it back, he just takes it runs away anf chews it!!!...And he can't catch it in his mouth, I will throw it, he jumps and entirely misses it, then he grabs it, and away he goes with it...Sometimes he will bring it to me, pretend to begin to drop ot and then looks at me and turns and runs...Thats my Ollie...So glad I am not alone, lol

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Carol that is exactly what our Ph.D trainer dog behaviourist told us to do!! So PHOEBE!! Bandit never really liked fetching either, but all of the sudden in the past few weeks he has broke out of his shell and runs faster that Rosey to get the frisbee, I think he just wants to beat her and she lets him and Rosey love him to chase her so she can jump over him:) But he was never all that interested in balls but he will go for that frisbee and sticks. Is there a favorite toy you have that your mom could throw?