mrsnamsherf
Member
I love taking my Sam swimming...he doesn't swim for swimming's sake, but he likes retrieving in the water. Only he doesn't actually return the toy. It's so frustrating to coax and plead or try to snag him when he goes by. :banghead:
He will only return the item some of the time (except for the first few retrieves), and the rest he has to be cajoled. He won't even come to me...just stands about five feet or so away "showing off" the toy. FWIW, this is a dog that comes 95% of the time or more in other situations...just not if a toy is involved. He does not guard the toy, or get upset if I try to take it...he is just trying to get me to chase him...it is very much a trophy. I only let him have it when we are actually working, or if I give it to him to carry-at home it is put away. If I do a bunch of short, quick retrieves, his return rate is much better. I do use variable rewards-treats for some returns, but not all, but it seems the toy is the highest prize...and I have good treats, too. If I try to approach and take the toy, he often runs away...he will stop if I say "Stop", but, even so, this behavior is far from the ideal return to hand...
I have been working on this with him for a whole year, and we are not much improved from where we started...I am kind of at a loss what to do next. Any suggestions?
Thank you,
Marie
He will only return the item some of the time (except for the first few retrieves), and the rest he has to be cajoled. He won't even come to me...just stands about five feet or so away "showing off" the toy. FWIW, this is a dog that comes 95% of the time or more in other situations...just not if a toy is involved. He does not guard the toy, or get upset if I try to take it...he is just trying to get me to chase him...it is very much a trophy. I only let him have it when we are actually working, or if I give it to him to carry-at home it is put away. If I do a bunch of short, quick retrieves, his return rate is much better. I do use variable rewards-treats for some returns, but not all, but it seems the toy is the highest prize...and I have good treats, too. If I try to approach and take the toy, he often runs away...he will stop if I say "Stop", but, even so, this behavior is far from the ideal return to hand...
I have been working on this with him for a whole year, and we are not much improved from where we started...I am kind of at a loss what to do next. Any suggestions?
Thank you,
Marie