1. does my dog understand hold?
2. Can my dog pick up any size bumper?
3.Can my dog come on command, holding the bumper and return to heel position without dropping it.. every time?
4. Does your dog hesitate at all when asked to take the bumper from your hand?
5. Can your dog hold the bumper while you pull on both sides of the bumper and not release it because of your added pressure?
6. Can your dog retrieve a bumper every time when tossed 5ft or 10 ft from you?
7. Can you put your dog on a sit stay, give him the bumper and walk out 20ft and call?
8. Can you asked your dog to stay, walk out 10ft, then drop a bumper, keep walking another 10feet, turn and call FETCH IT UP AND COME?
This sounds like a lot of work, but this was what you have to do before you can move on to the walk and fetch. This work builds confidence. If for some reason your dog misses any of the above, you have two choices, ignore it or deal with it (EP).
The walk and fetch is fun for the dogs, but you do not want to correct something as simple as a hold, that takes away from his drive and desire.
This is the way I learned the W&F.....
Line up 4 bumpers 20-30feet apart.
1. Have your dog walk past all of them and staying in heel position. No jumping out of heel like a maniac. Very hard for some dogs.
2. The next time you pass the bumpers, retrieve the first bumper, walk a little, leave the second bumper, retrieve the third bumper. On the fourth bumper, hold your dog back and ask him to mark. You are building desire by opposition reflex.
3. Back to a controlled situation. Next time walk past all of them. As you go around, mix it up. Good luck and happy training!
