Trouble with the retrieve on trial days

S

SheltieStar

Forums Regular
Tyco and I have just entered the Open Ring. He has been doing very well in training on all the Open Exercises. The problem I’m having is when we enter a trial with the judge in the ring with us he will not leave my side to retrieve the dumbbell. Unfortunately I had not been training with someone else in the ring and this has really thrown Tyco for a loop.

At first I thought maybe he was intimidated by the judge, however bringing a family member into the ring with me to train produces the same results.

I think the problem is he’s listening to the judge’s commands and mine and is getting confused. For example, the retrieve on flat I tell him to Wait, the judge says “Throw it” (Tyco’s attention is clearly on the judge), I then tell him to “take it” and he doesn’t know what to do. He will either just sit there or he’ll wonder slowly ahead a foot or two and turn around and look at me with a “what am I suppose to be doing” look.

I’m now training with a person in the ring with us playing judge, but am still having the same problem. If the person training with me says nothing Tyco will generally retrieve, but once they give me the commands Tyco stops.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could do to help Tyco make the distinction between my commands and that of the judges?

Thanks
 
SheltieStar said:
Tyco and I have just entered the Open Ring. He has been doing very well in training on all the Open Exercises. The problem I’m having is when we enter a trial with the judge in the ring with us he will not leave my side to retrieve the dumbbell. Unfortunately I had not been training with someone else in the ring and this has really thrown Tyco for a loop.

At first I thought maybe he was intimidated by the judge, however bringing a family member into the ring with me to train produces the same results.

I think the problem is he’s listening to the judge’s commands and mine and is getting confused. For example, the retrieve on flat I tell him to Wait, the judge says “Throw it” (Tyco’s attention is clearly on the judge), I then tell him to “take it” and he doesn’t know what to do. He will either just sit there or he’ll wonder slowly ahead a foot or two and turn around and look at me with a “what am I suppose to be doing” look.

I’m now training with a person in the ring with us playing judge, but am still having the same problem. If the person training with me says nothing Tyco will generally retrieve, but once they give me the commands Tyco stops.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could do to help Tyco make the distinction between my commands and that of the judges?

Thanks
Click to expand...

This is likely stress related - some dogs find it hard to leave their owners for a retrieve when they are stressed out, or go into avoidance mode (where they figure it's better to do nothing than to do the wrong thing).

Does he have high drive for the dumbbell? Is it something fun that he loves to chase after? When you're looking at anxiety in the ring, his desire for the dumbbell has to be greater than the amount of stress he will feel leaving you.

Just as a suggestion:

1. Create dumbbell drive - play with it, race him for it, throw it in unexpected directions, tug with it - do anything you can to create interest and drive.

2. Start doing the same while having someone in the ring.

3. Continue creating dumbbell drive while some one is in the ring talking to you.

4. Start mixing formal retrieves and fun retrieves - I always do at least 2 fun retrieves for every formal retrieve. You want him to be practically vibrating before the "get it" (or whatever command you use) - this will put his focus on you, your commands, and the dumbbell as opposed to anyone else in the ring.

5. Start changing the amount of pressure the judge puts on with his commands - use different judges, different ages, different appearances. Have some use a gruff voice and some use a soft voice. Change their position, have them shuffle/limp, have them yell or laugh loudly. Throughout, keep the retrieves fun and successful. If your dog starts stressing again, don't ask for formal retrieves until your dog is relaxed, focused on you, and having fun.

Good luck :smile2:
 
SheltieStar said:
For example, the retrieve on flat I tell him to Wait, the judge says “Throw it” (Tyco’s attention is clearly on the judge), I then tell him to “take it” and he doesn’t know what to do.
Click to expand...

I believe playing games and building drive to retrieve are essential skills but Tyco has them from the statement that he is successfully retrieving. The only time you encounter failure is when there's a stranger in the ring so it is my feeling that the #1 issue is that Tyco is looking at and fearing the judge. Address that issue first. He's not worried about a family member judge in the ring because he has no fear of them. My suggestion is to continue playing and building your relationship but also concentrate on training him to maintain eye contact with you and you with him. You want to redirect his attention away from the judge and onto you. Once he knows that when he looks at you he has nothing to fear, he'll offer you rock solid performances.

Oftentimes the sheer movement of the DB is enough to redirect the dog's attention to the exercise. However, if the dog is truly fearful then a thrown DB means nothing.

Dani
Davina - UDX, OM1 (7 points away from OTCh)
Dalton - CDX, RAE
Derrick - CD, RAE
Rush
 
3Stars said:
This is likely stress related - some dogs find it hard to leave their owners for a retrieve when they are stressed out, or go into avoidance mode (where they figure it's better to do nothing than to do the wrong thing).

Does he have high drive for the dumbbell? Is it something fun that he loves to chase after? When you're looking at anxiety in the ring, his desire for the dumbbell has to be greater than the amount of stress he will feel leaving you.
:
Click to expand...



Your perspective has been helpful. While he will retrieve in training the drive isn’t really there. He’s never been a dog that enjoys fetch. During playtime he much prefers tug and will gladly fetch his tug rope over a ball any day.

The person that taught me the dumbbell, had told me that the dumbbell was not to be treated as a toy and only bring it out during training. I think bringing it out and having fun with it just might be the ticket. I look forward to applying the good advice you’ve given.

Thank you.
 
fuzbuttsheltie said:
My suggestion is to continue playing and building your relationship but also concentrate on training him to maintain eye contact with you and you with him. You want to redirect his attention away from the judge and onto you. Once he knows that when he looks at you he has nothing to fear, he'll offer you rock solid performances.

Oftentimes the sheer movement of the DB is enough to redirect the dog's attention to the exercise. However, if the dog is truly fearful then a thrown DB means nothing.

Dani
Davina - UDX, OM1 (7 points away from OTCh)
Dalton - CDX, RAE
Derrick - CD, RAE
Rush
Click to expand...

You’re right, he’s not maintain eye contact with me at the start of the exercise. I’ll work on his focus as well as playing and building drive.

Thank you for helping me to see where I need work.
 
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