It is some years since I first started clicker training and I have taught the clicker retrieve to quite a few dogs now.
But I still remember the first time very clearly and the sense of epiphany it gave me as I realised the power and scope of the clicker trained retrieve to overcome a range of retrieving difficulties.
Retrieving and delivery problems
The clicker retrieve overcomes the following problems:
- The dog that won’t pick up the dummy
- The dog that spits out the dummy
- The dog that runs away with the dummy
- The dog that won’t let go of the dummy
It is not the only way of solving these problems, but I am convinced that in many cases it is the best way.
Over the years I have modified and simplified my method so if you have read my original version you will find this one a little different because I now begin by teaching the dog to pick the dummy up from the floor, rather than by taking the dummy from the trainer’s hand.
I have also become aware that there is one slightly tricky part of this process where people are most likely to get stuck. I have addressed this part in some detail to enable you to progress smoothly through the entire process.
The clicker retrieve
The clicker retrieve is not a ‘quick fix’. You will need to set some time aside for ten minute training sessions, preferably two or three times a day, but certainly at least four times a week. The whole process will probably take from one to four weeks depending on how often you train, and on what problems your dog had to begin with.
Any dog can be taught to retrieve using this method, even a dog with little or no retrieving instinct. However, the clicker retrieve is not a substitute for retrieving instinct. It probably won’t turn a gundog with no interest in retrieving into a really passionate retriever and is best used for teaching a nice smooth delivery once an enthusiastic retrieving habit has been established.
Four parts to a trained retrieve
I have divided the clicker trained retrieve into four parts
They need to be taught in this order, but you can miss out the first part if your dog already picks up a dummy quite happily.
I’ll be posting up each part in the weeks to come, so do check back for updates.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Pippa, I’m currently reading your book “Total Recal” and really enjoying it.
I found this article on the clicker retrieve as my 5.5 month pup will happily run out and get a dummy but is reluctant to hand it over. I have tried teaching the hold but she just wants to chew the dummy and I don’t want to force the hold and ruin her retrieving enthusiasm.
Would you still advise going through the whole process steps 1 through 4 and stop any retrieving altogether. (out in the field)
I cannot see me having much of a problem with her picking up the dummy on the first go, she will probably bog off with it. I’ll need to get that C&T in quick
Hi Jonny, glad you are liking the book! There are other ways of dealing with your delivery problem, and you might like to read this article before making a decision. Pippa
Thanks for the reply Pippa,
I’m trying some of the things in that article and have a couple yet to try, with little success for a ‘delivery’.
“This stage doesn’t last for ever, and the more often you get a good return, even a manipulated one”
Long story short…she is running about my feet with me tucked in a corner, I say good girl, stroke her etc etc and then ‘take it off her’, Is that what you would call a ‘manipulated one’.
Hi Pippa
Can you help. I want to shape behaviour from where I am. Dog steady, toss dumbell or dummy; he goes out; picks up; returns. If I make a big fuss of him, petting all the while without going near his mouth, he will hold onto the dummy. Can I shape a behaviour from this? ie, to hold until I tell him “give”?
Thanks
Lourens
Hi Lourens, what is it that you want to change? Does he spit out or turn away with the dummy if you try to take it?
Thanks Pippa
He spits out the dummy a few feet away upon return. If I get really excited enough and call him in all the way and make a big fuss, not touaching near his head or mouth, furiously petting and praising he will hold on to dummy, sometimes for as long as 10seconds. I am following your trained retrieve programme in order to get him steady to hand. He will:
1. Pick up off the floor
2. Bring to me
3. Hold for a few seconds (never more than 2 or 3 seconds) even though I am trying to extend by not rewarding with C&T. He seems to get anxious or bored as soon as I press (don’t reward) for longer holds.
So my thinking was to try and shape the fieldwork results above where if I fuss and praise he holds longer…into a delivery to hand rather than going through the 4 steps of the trained retrieve because I am stuck at step 3…?
Thanks
Hi Pippa, Great book Total Recall and great site. I’ve had dogs 40 years now and have had a great deal of success training and working to my personal standards. Pups mainly, although i’ve recently acquired a very well bred Lurcher bitch at 5 months who has been kennelled untill the day I took her and she has only just come out of her shell now at 10 months. Training was difficult with no social development from the off, and she had had a tough start to say tyhe least. She’s a lovely pup and i’m proud to be where I am now with her, socially. However Stubornness has set in slightly, she wont retrieve outside and prefers to stand off with whatevers thrown and teases by lying down with a dummy, ball or a stick she may find. She picks everything up and loves to carry anything and runs forever. She will retrieve in the house but not directly to hand. I’ve tried everything, her recall was simply backed up by your instruction within your book. Thats been well proofed and i’m chuffed with that. So the ‘Clicker’. This is new to me and i’m reading very interested. Where can i get one for starters. Village halls and purple rinses dont do for me, so can you advise further please. Kindest regards and very well done, Joe
Hi Joe, and thanks very much for your kind comments. You will find clickers for sale in pet shops, or online. You don’t need a fancy one. This one is fine and it’s £1.95
You don’t need to attend classes, you can do this at home on your own. If you feel a bit unsure, I suggest you start by teaching something simple that has no value. For example, you can teach a dog to touch an item you lay on the floor or to stand in a cardboard box. This lets you master the technique without putting any pressure on you and the dog to succeed. You can go straight into clicker training the retrieve but I think it probably helps to have a bit of a practice first.
Drop into the forum for a chat if you need any help
Best wishes
Pippa
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