Shaping the Retrieve
To shape the process of retrieving, break it down into tiny increments. Even dogs that are retrieving fanatics may refuse to pick up certain objects like keys or tools. Teaching a shaped retrieve using operant conditioning will make your dog a reliable retriever, and it will also give you a strong base for teaching the retrieving tricks that follow.
When shaping a dog to retrieve, it is best to pick an easy object to start with, something the dog is likely to pick up on his own. If you're not sure what texture appeals to your dog, set out a bunch of objects and see which he chooses to play with on his own.
Most dogs don't like to pick up metal and have difficulty picking up small objects that require them to smoosh their noses into the floor trying to get their mouths around it. Choose something your dog can get his mouth around easily, such as a face cloth, a retrieving dumbbell, or a small empty box.
What is the difference between operant and classical conditioning?
Operant conditioning (click and treat) recognizes, and therefore encourages, desired behavior. Classical conditioning creates positive associations between two events.
Using a novel object will make it more likely that your dog will at least investigate it, giving you a starting point for shaping the retrieve. Teach the retrieve by breaking it down into the most basic steps so that it won't fall apart later. The shaping steps to teach the retrieve are as follows:
Put an item on the floor about three feet away from your dog.
Click and treat him for moving toward it.
Click and treat him for touching the object with his nose.
Repeat this step about a dozen times and then withhold the click.
If he mouths the object at all, click and treat.
Once your dog is mouthing the object, withhold the click until he picks up the object.
Delay the click once more and build the time he will hold the object.
Add distance by putting the object a short distance away at first and gradually increasing it.
Label the retrieve Take It as the dog is picking up the object.
Label the release of the object Give or Leave It.
When you are training for retrieving exercises, use an object that you can put away when the session is over. Keep the item “special” so that your dog looks forward to working with it every time you practice.
