[wp_ad_camp_2]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.
If you enjoy my articles, you might like my new book: The Happy Puppy Handbook
Hi Pippa,
I have a1yr + Labrador who has delivery problems in that he comes back fairly slowly on the return, particularly in classes when he only gets 1 retrieve at a time, and will more often than not move the dummy in his mouth to the string end and then present with the dummy hanging down by the string. He then often pulls back on the string when I ask him to give! If it’s a tennis ball there is no problem. He can also chomp on the dummy a bit. Should I follow the clicker retrieve instructions from the hold part onwards, but only click when he is holding the dummy in the middle. I have taught him to hold for quite a while in front of me on the sit, so I am not sure he will want to spit the dummy out for a food treat. Also should I retrain the delivery at home in the garden, not out in a field where I do most of my training. Also could I try giving him another dummy to hold as a reward rather than food if that doesn’t seem to work with him.Finally when I give him a dummy to hold he tends to grab it hard, chomp a few times and work his way to the end again! Sorry for all of these questions! Apart from the above he is a great little retriever!
Hi Pippa I have a 17 month old cocker spaniel. We have taught him to retrieve in side the house and in the garden. However as soon as we go for a walk he ignores what we say. He ignores our calling and commands. We have tried several times on and off lead in different environments but we still have no results. He has also decided that retrieving is boring and will refuse to do anything. Should I start training the retrieve again? His behaviour has become really naughty recently. The other day I asked him to come back and he came back with a dead rat and wouldn’t give it up.
Sophis
Hi Sophie, there are quite a few different things going on there aren’t there 🙂 Many hunting dogs would rather hunt than retrieve. Have a look at this article for help with this. Your main problem though, is your recall. Have a look at this article Spaniel out of control Control outdoors is a combination of solidly proofed recall, and good management. You need to keep your spaniel hunting close to you, or he will learn to hunt for himself. Have a read of the articles and post up if you have any questions.
My dog doing well with clicker training after about 8 days. Trying to get him to focus more on me when we do recall and then C&T that. Worked through the stages at dummy retrieving, although never any problem picking it up anyway. The only problem was in a group. He has been holding it nicely and delivering it well to hand, and holding until I say dead. I know only 8 days but thought we were doing well until today when met up with a friend for a little training and he picked up the dummy, ran off and started chewing it, which he has never done before.
So what’s going wrong? His behaviour is excited/naughty/possessive I suppose. Should I just persevere on my own with the clicker training and not meet anyone for a while?
He’s not coping with the distractions Sue. Practice at a distance from other people and dogs to begin with. When in a group situation, have him hold and deliver ‘on the lead’ to begin with, so he can’t mess about. Its all about building pathways in his mind. Lots of successful tidy deliveries to remember. You can do these ‘at heel’ Here’s the link: The walking hold Remember, if he can’t cope, increase the distance between you and the rest of the group. Rehearse on the lead, and progress to off lead, very short retrieves, at a distance. Only move closer as he gets it. Pippa
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
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
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 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, 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