Collect Questions

Having a few problems with this command with Meesha. Throw the ball for her she runs away picks it up and comes back not a problem she will even sit down infront of me with the ball in her mouth. The problem is no matter what I try I can't for the life of me get her to drop the ball I have tried exchanging it for treats and other toys but has none of it. It usually ends in me loosing patience and chasing her for the ball and I know this is her winning and seeing it all as a game. The strange thing about it is when I am in the house she has a Kong toy for chewing that I sometimes play with her by rolling or tossing it to the other side of the room and without saying a word she will fetch it and drop it right infront of me but when she is outside she won't drop it. Any help that can be offered would be great




Loki can be a bit like that. Lately, when he brings the toy back, I have taken hold of it and said, "play fetch", which he understands, and when he pulls it (as in a game of tug) I have released it and told him emphatically, "no, not playing" and folded my arms. Typically he has thrust the toy into my hand again and I keep doing this until he releases it. Now he is better at letting go when I touch the toy and say "drop". It seems like he is realising if he doesn't release the toy, the game does not continue.




Just out of interest alsationpup what treats are you using to make him drop the article? Jake was a bit of a horder but he'll do anything for a piece of sausage maybe worth finding out what he really really likes?




I found using a clicker and offering a small piece of cheese encourages them to drop the toy when they return with the toy.Most dogs lurve cheese and they cannot eat it with a ball in their mouth!

Eventually after a while,you wont need to give a treat and just use the clicker.




Try back-chaining. That is, give her the ball to hold when she is sitting in front of you rather than throwing it for her to retrieve. This is a more passive exercise and should not get her as hyped up as running for the ball. Give her the ball, have a treat ready & give your 'surrender' command and exchange the ball for the treat (treat must be something that she values more highly than the ball). When she is holding the ball in this position and exchanging it reliably for a treat then put the ball on the ground just in front of you. Give her the 'fetch or 'take' command. She should not have to move far to pick up the ball - just pick it up and present. Build it up slowly, from the placed ball to the ball rolled a short way. Once she is solid with this then you can throw and 'fetch'. The idea is that she is rewarded for presnting in front of you and surrendering the article. The reward needs to be more valuable than the ball - I have known prime beef, smoked salmon, etc. used Take it slowly - step by step




I have just been using normal dog biscuits. Have used them from the start and usually if you drop one it will hit her on the back of the head but i'll need to give it a try with other treats. However I know I can't give her cheese cause when I first bought her a Kong toy the trainer of the puppy classes advised a wee bit of primila cheese in the toy would work but as soon as she finished licking the cheese she was sick all over the carpet. It really is amazing just how much mess a small pup can make




See my post above - you need something far more interesting than biscuit




Just saw that after I posted my reply . Thank you all for the advise can see I have a few things to work on




Not a problem Give a shout if you need any help




keira drops the ball but as soon as i go to pick it up she grabs it or
she will stand with her paw on top of it
lubo stands there with ball in his mouth i have to tell him to wait then take it from him while saying leave
me thinks hes been watchin keira too much
in fact it has been known for lubo to have 3 balls all at once in his mouth