Equipment

Canvas bumpers, in different sizes

1 small white knobby bumper (soft)

1 large white knobby bumper (soft)

HOLD

Put your dog on a grooming table or on a place box. Make sure you have a good stay. Put your left arm over the dog's neck and place your thumb in the dog's mouth. Leave your thumb in the dog's mouth and hold the mouth closed. Dogs have a natural spit reflex, so you will feel the tongue moving a lot while you give the command to HOLD. Eventually, your dog will stop the spit reaction as he gets used to your thumb in his mouth. If he bites down hard, say NO!, or hey, knock it off. Grab the jaw with your right hand to stop this reaction. Do it 3 or 4 times a day until the dog accepts your thumb in his mouth. Some people prefer to do this while wearing a glove, this is fine.

Practice this exercise every day until the dog willingly accepts your thumb in his mouth.

Now you are ready for your dog to hold a bumper.

With your dog in the heel position:

Place a small canvas bumper in his mouth, DO NOT ASK HIM TO TAKE IT!

 Wait 30 seconds. Say GIVE, or OUT and take the bumper. Praise!

 To ask your dog for a release on command, hold the bumper and let the dog back out of his hold. Do not pull the bumper out or let his head drop down. If you hold and say OUT! He will back out of his hold and that is the way you want to have him release the bird.

Try again with the same bumper. Place it in the dog’s mouth, and give the command to HOLD. Wait 1-minute, pat him on the head, chest then head again. Do not praise him yet. Instead tell him, "OK, THAT’S RIGHT", or "I LIKE THAT!" or "LOOK AT YOU, YOU ARE SO SMART!" After the minute is up, say your release word and Praise!

It is desirable to vary your praise. Adjust the enthusiasm of your praise to the amount of effort your dog made in accomplishing his task.

 Set the dog up facing in a different direction in the heel position. Repeat the exercise with the same bumper, however this time, once he is holding the bumper in his mouth, tell him to STAY! Walk around him and back to heel position. Ask for a GIVE, and Praise!

 If he does that perfectly several times, try another bumper size. If he drops it, DO NOT say no, just put the bumper back in his mouth. Do not react with any emotion! Start again from the first step and work your way back to where he could hold and you could walk around him. Once you are successful, STOP! Take time to play between lessons. This will help to decrease the tension. Don't forget to Praise!