Welcome to all. Before dogs were domesticated, they had tasks to perform in order to survive, so I thought it would be nice to teach our dogs to do something not only cute, but useful as well.
TEACHING YOUR DOG TO CARRY OBJECTS
STEP 1
Start by teaching your dog to hold and carry something soft, that is more pleasant than a hard item. A soft rubber bone or dumbbell, or a soft fluffy toy.
Play with him, allowing him to play with the toy – in this way you will be getting him interested in the toy and he will want to interact with it.
STEP 2
Sit your dog down in front of you, hold the toy in your hand.
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STEP 3
Hold the toy in front of your dog’s mouth. DO NOT push the toy into his face, it could cause him to back away, just hold it in front of him.
If he reaches towards the toy immediately say ‘yes, good boy’ and reward him for the correct action.
Repeat a few times (not more than five repetitions), so that he knows reaching forward is what you want him to do.
STEP 4
If your dog tries to take the toy without coaxing, immediately praise and reward him.
STEP 5
If your dog is still a bit reluctant to move forward and take the toy, get him excited – by waving the toy around or try running with him while waving the toy in the air or dropping the toy on the ground.
If he moves towards the toy, praise him, then pick up the toy and repeat, only this time you will treat him only after he picks the toy up. This usually works well with most dogs.
STEP 6
Once the dog is holding the toy in his mouth for a few seconds, you can tell him ‘hold’ and then gradually extending the period of time that he holds the toy.
STEP 7
When your dog can hold the toy for more than thirty seconds, ask him to give you the toy – holding your hand just under the toy in his mouth, as you ask him to ‘give’.
Hold a treat in your other hand, he will want the treat so he will give you the toy to get the treat!
STEP 8
You can now teach the dog to carry the toy while he is walking with you.
Tell him to hold and then start to walk with him – if he does drop it walk backwards and encourage him to fetch it, praise but do not treat.
Now tell him to hold, and once again move forward with him.
Do not walk more than about six steps, as he improves you can gradually increase the distance, that you walk.
STEP 9
You can now introduce him to different objects, this is also done gradually, and only one object at a time should be introduced.
Only move onto a different object when your dog is comfortable, with each new one.
DEALING WITH OBJECTS THAT ARE NOT APPEALING TO YOUR DOG
Dogs will often be happy to hold a familiar object in their mouths, but will often spit out an object that they don’t like, such as hard objects.
Plastic or metal is not appealing to dogs.
If this is the case with your dog, I would suggest you begin at the beginning of the exercise, teaching him all over again.
Once he is comfortable holding the unappealing object, your dog is ready to be taught to carry the basket, or any other object, of your choosing.
When using the basket, it is advisable to wrap some soft cloth around the handle.
Some dogs have an inclination to chew the handle on the basket!
Once your dog can do this trick confidently, you can teach him to fetch your slippers, bring you his food bowl at feeding time and a load of other useful chores around the home.
Say, for example you have a sore back and you cannot bend to pick up an object you have dropped, well just ask your dog to fetch it for you!
Next week I will be doing an article on ‘separation anxiety’.
Until next week, take care and stay safe. Happy training.
Yvonne Eland
ADIPCBM (UK) with distinction
Advanced Diploma Specialising in Canine Behaviour and Management
