Question:
Hello everyone! I’m hoping someone might know how to teach a dog to let go of an object that he has in his mouth. My puppy (7 months) loves to play catch, and he does an excellent job of bringing stuff back to me, but he wants to have a tug of war with me when he comes back. He’s a big dog (60 pounds) and I believe his mouth is too strong for me to open it. Is there some standard way of doing this? Thanks for your help! – Mary
Response:
>Hello everyone! I’m hoping someone might know how to teach a dog to >let go of an object that he has in his mouth. My puppy (7 months) >loves to play catch, and he does an excellent job of bringing stuff >back to me, but he wants to have a tug of war with me when he comes >back. He’s a big dog (60 pounds) and I believe his mouth is too >strong for me to open it. Is there some standard way of doing this? >Thanks for your help!
Mary, if you don’t want to get into all the formal techniques, which most folks don’t, just THROW something else for him to retrieve. He’ll likely DROP what he’s got in his mouth and run out to get it. — Dogman http://www.i1.net/~dogman
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>Mary, if you don’t want to get into all the formal >techniques, which most folks don’t, just >THROW something else for him to retrieve. >He’ll likely DROP what he’s got in his mouth >and run out to get it. >– >Dogman
Common sense isn’t around much these days. Somtimes an answer is just too simple,huh? Paulette~ A dogs life is too short… Their only fault really…
Response:
A good way to get your dog to let go of the article is to offer a tasty treat. When the dog returns with it make him sit in front of you and offer the treat and give the command "GIVE". As soon as he lets go give him the treat and plenty of praise. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hello everyone! I’m hoping someone might know how to teach a dog to >let go of an object that he has in his mouth. My puppy (7 months) >loves to play catch, and he does an excellent job of bringing stuff >back to me, but he wants to have a tug of war with me when he comes >back. He’s a big dog (60 pounds) and I believe his mouth is too >strong for me to open it. Is there some standard way of doing this? >Thanks for your help! >- Mary
Response:
don ‘t fall into this trap. don’t throw a second item. it teaches the dog nothing about playing the "game" fairly. nothing worse than a retriever who
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hello everyone! I’m hoping someone might know how to teach a dog to >let go of an object that he has in his mouth. My puppy (7 months) >loves to play catch, and he does an excellent job of bringing stuff >back to me, but he wants to have a tug of war with me when he comes >back. He’s a big dog (60 pounds) and I believe his mouth is too >strong for me to open it. Is there some standard way of doing this? >Thanks for your help! > Mary, if you don’t want to get into all the formal techniques, which > most folks don’t, just THROW something else for him to retrieve. > He’ll likely DROP what he’s got in his mouth and run out to get it. > — > Dogman > http://www.i1.net/~dogman
Response:
I just wait (the very first time) untill the dog drops it. Then I reward and go again, it takes just a couple of times. At some point in the future the dog will what to see what happens if it keeps it. The first time I will wait give the dog a correction. The next time end the game. No game without playing by the rules. Once a dog has learned to play the game with keeping it I would get someone else to retrain fetch give yourself a break from the activity. Come back to it when it has the drop "down". There are lot of other things I bet you can work on. You will get a great deal of good advice from many people so read them all and carfully choose a route. If is much better to never let them start (not even once) these types of little beh’s. dw – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hello everyone! I’m hoping someone might know how to teach a dog to > let go of an object that he has in his mouth. My puppy (7 months) > loves to play catch, and he does an excellent job of bringing stuff > back to me, but he wants to have a tug of war with me when he comes > back. He’s a big dog (60 pounds) and I believe his mouth is too > strong for me to open it. Is there some standard way of doing this? > Thanks for your help! > – Mary
Response:
Dogman writes: >Mary, if you don’t want to get into all the formal >techniques, which most folks don’t, just >THROW something else for him to retrieve. >He’ll likely DROP what he’s got in his mouth >and run out to get it.
I use this one a lot at the shelter. You can teach some dogs to drop on command by first throwing something, then holding the object to be thrown out and throwing only after a "drop" (with praise, of course), then holding the object out, getting the dog to drop, praise, then grab the DROPPED item to throw, and so on. For other dogs, the second object technique never got past phase one or two. JohnR Pit Bull Libertarian
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Marc Kortlander writes:
:You are absolutely 100% correct. all :you are doing when trading one object :for another is reenforcing unwanted :behavior. Tell it to the dogs I trained to drop on command by using this technique. JohnR Pit Bull Libertarian
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pmg writes:
:don ‘t fall into this trap. don’t throw a second :item. it teaches the dog :nothing about playing the "game" fairly. :nothing worse than a retriever who As I just posted, SOME dogs can learn to drop on command by starting with the second object technique and stretching it out from there. With others, it’s just a useful failsafe. The technique itself can’t wreck a dog, though I suppose one could get lazy about moving the dog along. But it’s used on dogs that ALREADY don’t "share". JohnR Pit Bull Libertarian
Response:
> Mary, if you don’t want to get into all the formal techniques, which > most folks don’t, just THROW something else for him to retrieve. > He’ll likely DROP what he’s got in his mouth and run out to get it.
Unless he’s a Golden. Then he’ll probably try to stuff both objects in his mouth. M.
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>don ‘t fall into this trap. don’t throw a second item. it teaches the dog >nothing about playing the "game" fairly. nothing worse than a retriever who
What "trap," pmg? This dog is only 7 months old…he’ll eventually learn how to "share." This lady probably just wants a quick way to get her pup to release an object currently in its mouth — which this is. The pup will also learn that it doesn’t get another object to retrieve unless it *drops* the one in its mouth — which is a start in the right direction, eh? I’ve only been training retrievers for close to four decades now, and have never had a retriever fall into any "traps" by throwing a second object. Geeeeeeeeez. Buy the way, pmg, why didn’t you tell the lady how she SHOULD do it? Huh? :>( [...] > >Hello everyone! I’m hoping someone might know how to teach a dog to > >let go of an object that he has in his mouth. My puppy (7 months) > >loves to play catch, and he does an excellent job of bringing stuff > >back to me, but he wants to have a tug of war with me when he comes > >back. He’s a big dog (60 pounds) and I believe his mouth is too > >strong for me to open it. Is there some standard way of doing this? > >Thanks for your help! > Mary, if you don’t want to get into all the formal techniques, which > most folks don’t, just THROW something else for him to retrieve. > He’ll likely DROP what he’s got in his mouth and run out to get it.
– Dogman http://www.i1.net/~dogman
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>>don ‘t fall into this trap. don’t throw a second item. it teaches the dog >nothing about playing the "game" fairly. nothing worse than a retriever who >You are absolutely 100% correct. all you are doing when trading one >object for another is reenforcing unwanted behavior.
Unfreakingbelieveable. You are even dumber than I thought. Specifically which "unwanted behavior" are you reinforcing by throwing another object to retrieve?????? Huh? And you’re not "trading" anything here, you’re just giving the dog another object to RETRIEVE. And he’ll be forced to use his BRAIN then to figure out that he can’t retrieve the second object unless he RELEASES the first one. And that’s exactly what we want him to do. Even the dog can figure this one out, why can’t you, Kortlander? >It is better to >train the dog to "drop it" or what I use, "spit it out" that way >ANYTHING inappropriate that winds up in the dogs mouth can be spat out >on command.
Geeeeeeeez. Yes, it is always better to FORMALLY train the dog to retrieve, but most folks just don’t want to go through the bother. That’s why I gave this lady a "quick and dirty" way of getting over this little hump. And it’s *impossible* to make the situation any worse by simply throwing a second object for the dog. I-M-P-O-S-S-I-B-L-E. >If you train your dog to expect compensation for giving up >something in his mouth, you are looking at more troubles
And just what "troubles" would those be, Mr. Retriever Trainer? Huh? >when he has something he shouldn’t in his mouth but won’t > give it up because you have nothing to trade.
Do you know how STUPID that sounds to real dog trainers? It’s like saying a trainer who uses treats must ALWAYS use them to get their dog to do anything. Do you really believe that, Kortlander? Are you really that freakin’ STUPID? I’ll tell you what, Kortlander, how ’bout coming out to a field trial (or even a hunt test) and showing me what you got, eh? Besides having shit for brains, I mean. Huh? And then we can put some *real* money on the outcome, okay? Again, this wasn’t meant to be a formal technique for teaching a dog how to retrieve, release, etc. It was intended as a "quick and dirty" method of getting a retriever past the "this is *my* ball" stage. Any retriever with half a brain will quickly figure out that it ALWAYS gets something else to retrieve if it drops the first object, negating the need to play keeps with the first one. In fact, most dogs will figure this out after only 3-4 tosses, and will even start to DROP the object at the thrower’s feet, anxiously awaiting the thrower to throw the second object. No, not all dogs, but MOST of them. And I have a hunch that this lady’s dog is one of them. So, Kortlander, why don’t we compare our training methods by comparing our RESULTS? My dogs against yours, if you have any dogs, that is. Whaddya say? ;>) — Dogman http://www.i1.net/~dogman
Response:
>> Mary, if you don’t want to get into all the formal techniques, which > most folks don’t, just THROW something else for him to retrieve. > He’ll likely DROP what he’s got in his mouth and run out to get it. >Unless he’s a Golden. Then he’ll probably try to stuff both objects in >his mouth.
Unless he’s a really, really dumb GR, he won’t keep trying, eh? That is, he’ll figure it out pretty quick. If he doesn’t, Mary, he probably shouldn’t be allowed to pass his genes along, eh? ;>) — Dogman http://www.i1.net/~dogman
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>pmg writes: >:don ‘t fall into this trap. don’t throw a second :item. it teaches the dog >:nothing about playing the "game" fairly. :nothing worse than a retriever who >As I just posted, SOME dogs can learn to >drop on command by starting with the >second object technique and stretching >it out from there. With others, it’s just >a useful failsafe. The technique itself can’t >wreck a dog, though I suppose one could >get lazy about moving the dog along. But >it’s used on dogs that ALREADY don’t >"share".
John, what is it about this method that only you and I appear to understand? Is it that baffling? Was I speaking in tongues? What? Geeeeeeez. — Dogman http://www.i1.net/~dogman
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>>Mary, if you don’t want to get into all the formal >techniques, which most folks don’t, just >THROW something else for him to retrieve. >He’ll likely DROP what he’s got in his mouth >and run out to get it.
[...] >Common sense isn’t around much these days. >Somtimes an answer is just too simple,huh?
Apparently this was over the heads of at least two, eh? Geeeeeeeeeeeee. — Dogman http://www.i1.net/~dogman
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>pmg writes: >:don ‘t fall into this trap. don’t throw a >:second :item. it teaches the dog >:nothing about playing the "game" fairly. >:nothing worse than a retriever who
I replied: >As I just posted, SOME dogs can learn to >drop on command by starting with the >second object technique and stretching >it out from there. With others, it’s just >a useful failsafe. The technique itself can’t >wreck a dog, though I suppose one could >get lazy about moving the dog along. But >it’s used on dogs that ALREADY don’t >"share".
Dogman replies: :John, what is it about this method that 
nly you and I appear to understand? Beats me. You post with some some, useful, informative advice that the original inquirer could put into practice in about two seconds flat, and out come the flame throwers. This is one for the record books. Oh yeah, this technique helped to save the day when, unbeknownst to me, some idjit at the shelter had turned one of our better Pit Bulls into a leash aggressive tug-o-maniac. Never sneer at the power of a little pink squeaky toy. JohnR Pit Bull Libertarian
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Marc Kortlander misinformed with: >:You are absolutely 100% correct. all >:you are doing when trading one object >:for another is reenforcing unwanted >:behavior.
I corrected him with: >Tell it to the dogs I trained to drop on >command by using this technique.
MK again: :what other mute animals do you have :discussions with? Ah, such a sly wit. JohnR Pit Bull Libertarian
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Careful John Doe with your criticisms, because most "dog experts" will tell you to use hard consonants, and as few words as possible with voice commands. Therefore, your use of "spit it out" is incorrect vis-a-vis "drop it." Pussyman isn’t alone, I guess. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!
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>Never sneer at the power >of a little pink squeaky toy.
Cindy Tittle Moore replies: :Now there’s sig material… You know what? You’re right! JohnR Pit Bull Libertarian Never sneer at the power of a little pink squeaky toy!
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>>Careful John Doe with your criticisms, because most "dog >experts" will tell you to use hard consonants, and as few >words as possible with voice commands. Therefore, your use >of "spit it out" is incorrect vis-a-vis "drop it." >Pussyman isn’t alone, I guess. >spit it out works fine for me, that might be contrary to so called >expert opinions, but I’ve always found to go with what works for me. >The point is not the actual verbiage of the command is not the issue, >but that teaching the dog that a trade is necessary for him to release >something that shouldn’t be in his mouth is IMHO bad training.
Yo, stupido! You’re not "trading" anything here, you’re just tossing another freakin’ dummy (toy, ball, etc.)! >when my >dog, like most retrievers do, picks up something in her mouth that >she shouldn’t have in her mouth I want an immediate release, no >trading, no questions asked, just spit it out.
No shit, Red Ryder? That’s what we all want, of course, even this lady, but the TRICK is to actually GET TO THAT POINT, isn’t it? And I gave this lady a "quick and dirty" way to get over her immediate problem. To this point, however, *you* haven’t told this poor lady HOW to do anything, all you’ve done is take nips at *my* ankles, like some crazed little peke-a-poo. Damn, you’re a *stupid* little troll… Geeeeeeez. — Dogman http://www.i1.net/~dogman
Response:
>Hello everyone! I’m hoping someone might know how to teach a dog to >let go of an object that he has in his mouth. My puppy (7 months) >loves to play catch, and he does an excellent job of bringing stuff >back to me, but he wants to have a tug of war with me when he comes >back. He’s a big dog (60 pounds) and I believe his mouth is too >strong for me to open it. Is there some standard way of doing this? >Thanks for your help! >- Mary
Hello Mary, I know what your dog is up to because mine does the same thing…or did. He still does with my son. When he brings back the football he wants to play keep-a-way. The fun for him is in being chased, not the running after the ball and bringing it back. With my son, he plays run-a-round for hours. The winner is the one that gets to keep the ball. With my wife, he will drop the ball on the command "OUT", then he will pick it up and run around some more or play tug-o-war. With me he will drop it on the command OUT and then LEAVE IT and wait for me to throw it again. Why the difference? That’s the way they/we all trained him. If you want him to drop the ball when you say "OUT" or "DROP" and leave it on the ground. Teach him the sit/stay, and when he comes running up with the ball, tell him to sit/stay. Then walk over and say "out" and take the ball out of his mouth. You can practice the "out" indoors as well by just giving him something to hold (a chewy stick, ball, etc.) and saying "out" while taking it back. Or…and this is more devious, give it to him and when you see he is about to drop it, say "out". Then when he starts to pick it back up say "LEAVE IT" and *you* pick it up first. Be sure to give lots of praise when he does it right. Be sure also not to give him a hard time when he does it wrong. He may not bring it back Also remember he is a puppy and will act like a puppy….for a long time if you are lucky. Be patient. Good luck! Robert
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>Hello everyone! I’m hoping someone might know how to teach a dog to >let go of an object that he has in his mouth. My puppy (7 months) >loves to play catch, and he does an excellent job of bringing stuff >back to me, but he wants to have a tug of war with me when he comes >back. He’s a big dog (60 pounds) and I believe his mouth is too >strong for me to open it. Is there some standard way of doing this? >Thanks for your help! >- Mary
Mary – bet you didn’t know this would turn into a bash fest, did you? A simple question and [some] sensible answers. Here’s what *I* would do. Since the dog willingly comes back and let’s you touch the object in his mouth (as opposed to a dog who plays "keep away"), I would go with "SIT – GIVE", and use one or some of the following techniques: grab the ball firmly, making sure your hand/fingers are BEHIND the ball, and "juts take it". Stick your finger in his ear (honest!) or blow in his ear (not as easy depending on coordination). Asking him to SIT everytime he returns gives you more control over the situation. A REWARD (not a trade) of a SMALL food bit, for sitting and giving, can be used (make sure you have the object before rewarding) and the extension of the reward is another throw. You can wean off the food reward over time. Won’t give it up? Game’s over. I personally think it’s good to teach dogs to drop ANYTHING when I ask. What is adequate praise for doing so will vary depending on the dog. Play "give it" games when watching TV in the evenings (as opposed to only working on the issue when yuo’re out in the yard playing). Once he learns that "give" is going to "get" him more, he’ll catch on. Janet Boss<BR> Best Friends Dog Obedience<BR> "Nice Manners for the Family Pet"<BR> <BR> "Second-hand dogs AREN’T second-rate"<BR> Filtered Bliss – AHH……<BR>
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Janet Boss writes; :I personally think it’s good to teach dogs to :drop ANYTHING when I ask. I suppose that "stay" and "come" are the most important commands. But after these, I consider "drop" one of the real biggies. JohnR Pit Bull Libertarian Never sneer at the power of a little pink squeaky toy!
Response:
Trade. Say "give" and hold up a treat. When puppy drops object, reward him with praise and treat. It will become natural shortly thereafter.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hello everyone! I’m hoping someone might know how to teach a dog to >let go of an object that he has in his mouth. My puppy (7 months) >loves to play catch, and he does an excellent job of bringing stuff >back to me, but he wants to have a tug of war with me when he comes >back. He’s a big dog (60 pounds) and I believe his mouth is too >strong for me to open it. Is there some standard way of doing this? >Thanks for your help! >- Mary
Response:
>>Hello everyone! I’m hoping someone might know how to teach a dog to >let go of an object that he has in his mouth. My puppy (7 months) >loves to play catch, and he does an excellent job of bringing stuff >back to me, but he wants to have a tug of war with me when he comes >back. He’s a big dog (60 pounds) and I believe his mouth is too >strong for me to open it. Is there some standard way of doing this? >Thanks for your help! >- Mary >Mary – bet you didn’t know this would turn into a bash fest, did you? >A simple question and [some] sensible answers. Here’s what *I* would do.
[...] Mary, Janet’s advice is also very good, and definitely works just as well. But if you want something even less formal (and more in line with my original recommendation), and virtually ALL PLAY, and extremely EASY to do, go here: http://www.dogzone.com/reading/retrieve.htm And it’s the site I probably should have referred you to in the first place, but I was in a hurry, yada yada yada. It’s a *very* good way for the novice dog trainer to teach the retrieve, and it eliminates virtually any possibility of making a mistake. For the novice trainer, who only wants to play with his dog, it’s just about perfect. And then, Mary, should you ever decide to **"go all the way," go here: http://www.dobbsdogs.com/library/retrievers/rjpart1.htm http://www.dobbsdogs.com/library/retrievers/rjpart2.htm **Forget about these if you’re not ever going to compete, etc. Anyway, I hope you really enjoy your new puppy! Stick around and learn a lot of other things to teach your puppy, too, Sometimes you can’t smell them ’til they’re right on top of you, but they’re always a dead giveaway when they open their mouths. ;>) — Dogman http://www.i1.net/~dogman
Response:
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