to fetch, or not to fetch.

huh · Puppy Joined: 29 Aug 2008 Posts: 16

my weim. is about 9 or 10 weeks old. i can tell he is very smart. for the most part, learns very quickly. he sits well, and beginning to stay, and semi-fetches. in the beginning he seemed to do fine, but now, on many attempts, he only runs to the ball, touches it, but does not bring it back. or if he does, he only brings it back half way drops it and absolutely will not pick it up again. i do alot of the fetching, who is training who. -when he runs down and grabs it, i say good boy and start clapping a bit while telling him to "come here boy." he used to do great, but now, thats about the time he drops it. he is obviously confused. or am i. haha.

guess ill keep working at it.

any ideas on getting him to complete the task?

Allyson · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 12:23 am Post subject:

Sounds like he is training you well!!! Wink

Repetition and praise...TONS of praise is all I needed to get Hannah to fetch. There are times she still brings things to me and won't just hand it over, so we had to work on a "drop it" command. I won't fight her for something, I just won't play. She can't stand being ignored!

Treats in your pocket anytime the task is performed properly is a great way to reinforce the behavior you are looking for as well.

huh · Puppy Joined: 29 Aug 2008 Posts: 16

oh yea he loves his treats. but he has picked up on which pocket they are in and sometimes pays little attention to anything else. he also fixes on my hand, which usually has a treat. -rascal.

Seespotrun · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 9:33 am Post subject:

With Taren I taught him to fetch using a ball, treats and a clicker. I did it in steps. I would toss, he would run and pick up the ball, click and treat, bring it back click and treat. It got kind of tricky here, as he would bring the ball back every time, but not always let go. So, then he got no treat until he put it in my hand gently. I have clicker trained from day one, so he knows that a click equals treat even if it is not immediate. Of course he is a Weimy so some days he like to drop it in my hand and yank it back and run circles around the couch. LOL Once he learns I no longer click or treat. Good luck!

weimgal · Puppy Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 22

Try to shorten up your distance so your pup cannot drop the ball. You need to be right there to take the ball before they drop it. You could put the pup on a short leash and toss the ball a short distance. Follow the pup to the ball and have your hands ready to catch the ball before it hits the ground. Exchange the ball for a treat and a big party. If the ball hit the ground, no big deal, but no treat. Slowly start to increase the tossing distance once they are successful at this level.

PamK · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 10:18 am Post subject:

Wow, my pup is the same age and I haven't even started training him to sit.

With my older boy I cut a hole in the tennis ball and had him watch me put treats inside the ball. When I threw it he had to bring it back to get the treats out.

I read that suggestion in the book 101 Dog Tricks.

versatilek9s · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:59 pm Post subject:

Repetition and praise. I never play fetch but a few times at a go b/c I always want them to want more. Remember also that he is easily distracted at this age. He also will probably stop fetching for awhile when he starts teething. I also like to build drive by using a sock with a tennis ball inside, tugging with them, then throwing it. They also have fleecy toys you can buy that do the same thing. Just have fun and keep working at it!

h20fwlkillr · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:37 am Post subject: Re: to fetch, or not to fetch.

weimgal · Puppy Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 22

I agree with the all the above advice to help your pup retrieve, but I truly believe that it is very important to obedience train your weim, especially when they are young. Up to the age of six months their little brains are sponges and you can create a tremendous groundwork for future training. In the beginning the training sessions should be short (no more that 5 mins), fun and very positive. Create the situation where the pup can be successful and reward the behavior. I do many short training sessions daily and the pup is a happy worker and offers behaviors even when we’re not training. Most people underestimate what their pup can learn. By the age of 12 weeks, I have my little ones doing baby heelwork, fronts, finishes, retrieving with marking for multiples, signals for sit, down and stand, scent discrimation, sit & down wait, recalls, touch plate work and baby tracking. I don’t ask for perfection and I don’t drill. All the games are fun but get their little brains engaged for more intensive training when they are older. Not only are these skills helpful for future obedience, they make it much easier to train my weims for the field work, agility and tracking when they are older.

Please don’t underestimate the learning abilities of young pups. The key is many short sessions that are positive and fun. Be consistent and if your pup has a problem, make the exercise easier until they are successful and start from that point.

huh · Puppy Joined: 29 Aug 2008 Posts: 16

thanks everyone.

ill work on things myself.

WOW weimgal, ill have to figure out some of the things you are teaching your pups myself. haha.

G-Smith · Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 10:19 pm Post subject:

At 10 weeks Layla wouldn't fetch either... Just remember she is a pup and will be NUTS over the ball in due time. My girl dives me crazy now... If you have room where you live break out a frisbee in a couple of months... Oh what fun yall will have.... Very Happy