ZAUBISTAR Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 Hi guys, Hopefully some of you can give me some solid advice on this: My new girl has been home for nearly a week now and she seems to have an increasing interest in bringing me objects. on the first day she picked up a cleaning cloth I had been using, sought me out and gave it to me when I offered my hand using the command 'give', told her she was a good girl then went about my business. Later that day it was a soft toy, not chewed, just happily presented to me. She tends to have a preference to articles of mine or those I've recently handled such as the Enjo, socks and today...my garden boot! Now I'm more than happy for her to bring me articles and I've given her a toy that we have started 'fetch' work on (she's never been taught to retrieve) but am I doing the right thing? Nothing's chewed up and I think it could have advantages for tracking or scent training later on. Any thoughts on this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 Go for it! Service Dogs are taught to do this and they don't become problem chewers or retrievers because once the kinks are sorted out the behaviour is under control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diva Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 I've done the same thing in the past on the principle I'd rather have them bring me something than run off with it. The only 'fall out' I've had as adults with my current dogs is that one will bring me her soft toy occassionally to 'look after' and another will bring me one of my walking shoes if she thinks it's time for a walk. These are behaviours I can live with Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ptolomy Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 I have created monsters by rewarding them for bringing me things, but I would much rather the dogs bring me things than have them take them off and chew them. Its started with shoes, but it can now be, toilet rolls, knickers, toys, snoozer beds you name it. The dogs bring me something and I always reward them - I think they have me well trained. The other night I had 19 shoes on the bench! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Ptolomy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZAUBISTAR Posted January 22, 2010 Author Share Posted January 22, 2010 Thanks heaps guys! I thought it could have some advantages but thought a second opinion would be well worth it. I'll carry on with it then. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diva Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 (edited) I try not to be too enthusiastic in case I get too much of a respone - it's more a 'gee thanks that's nice' than an actual reward at my place. With my first pup that did this I was so thrilled to have a sighthound that retrieved I went a bit overboard - ended up her bringing me the yellow pages one day. So I eased back. Edited January 22, 2010 by Diva Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4Kelpies Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Sounds like you're lucky enough to have a natural retriever. Enjoy it. It is so easy to drop the object when she brings it to you and then tell her to fetch when she picks it up again. You'll have a reliable retrieve in no time. As a puppy Ruff used to bring me all kinds of presents like horse manure, dead birds etc. I had to pretend to be happy about it. He was great at retrieving, seek backs and scent discrimination. It hasn't ever been a problem. Since his cancer surgery he hasn't been allowed to eat bones, but will often find a bit of bone that one of the other dogs has left. I always traded the bone for a treat and now he thinks he deserves a reward every time he brings a bone (or occasionally other items) to me. It's a bit of a pest but at 14 years of age he's entitled to be spoilt and I'm so grateful to still have him that I don't mind getting a treat for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZAUBISTAR Posted January 22, 2010 Author Share Posted January 22, 2010 I try not to be too enthusiastic in case I get too much of a respone - it's more a 'gee thanks that's nice' than an actual reward at my place. With my first pup that did this I was so thrilled to have a sighthound that retrieved I went a bit overboard - ended up her bringing me the yellow pages one day. So I eased back. Well at least he found a good use for it Sounds like you're lucky enough to have a natural retriever. Enjoy it. It is so easy to drop the object when she brings it to you and then tell her to fetch when she picks it up again. You'll have a reliable retrieve in no time. As a puppy Ruff used to bring me all kinds of presents like horse manure, dead birds etc. I had to pretend to be happy about it. He was great at retrieving, seek backs and scent discrimination. It hasn't ever been a problem. Since his cancer surgery he hasn't been allowed to eat bones, but will often find a bit of bone that one of the other dogs has left. I always traded the bone for a treat and now he thinks he deserves a reward every time he brings a bone (or occasionally other items) to me. It's a bit of a pest but at 14 years of age he's entitled to be spoilt and I'm so grateful to still have him that I don't mind getting a treat for him. Bless him. Don't you just love the senior citz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tilly Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Maybe also start putting names to objects she brings you ... particularly if they can be useful items ... like the car keys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZAUBISTAR Posted January 22, 2010 Author Share Posted January 22, 2010 Maybe also start putting names to objects she brings you ... particularly if they can be useful items ... like the car keys :p Good point, thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pie Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 I have created monsters by rewarding them for bringing me things, but I would much rather the dogs bring me things than have them take them off and chew them.Its started with shoes, but it can now be, toilet rolls, knickers, toys, snoozer beds you name it. The dogs bring me something and I always reward them - I think they have me well trained. The other night I had 19 shoes on the bench! Just so long as they're not delivering your knickers to anyone else! That could be awkward if you're staying at someone's house interstate :p The car keys idea is good! You may never lose them again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZAUBISTAR Posted January 23, 2010 Author Share Posted January 23, 2010 Just so long as they're not delivering your knickers to anyone else! :D That could be awkward if you're staying at someone's house interstate :DThe car keys idea is good! You may never lose them again! Has my OH been talking to you? I'm always in trouble for losing my keys, my phone, my handbag, my..................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelsun Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 This is already a positive so no turning it into one....I agree to start naming objects and even make more of a gave of it, to not permit the dog to simply go 'bring you everything' That will get tiresome after awhile....if the dog wants to fetch....simply shape that desire to your will. simple things like laying out objects at a time of day (five minute micro fetching sessions work great) and have the dog respond. If you don't allow the activity ALL the time, the dog will continue to find it fresh and fun...if the dog is allowed to fetch and bring whenever and whatever it wants....you may find that it tires of this game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiesha09 Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 I have created monsters by rewarding them for bringing me things, but I would much rather the dogs bring me things than have them take them off and chew them.Its started with shoes, but it can now be, toilet rolls, knickers, toys, snoozer beds you name it. The dogs bring me something and I always reward them - I think they have me well trained. The other night I had 19 shoes on the bench! Just so long as they're not delivering your knickers to anyone else! That could be awkward if you're staying at someone's house interstate The car keys idea is good! You may never lose them again! THe car key idea is great... until they start stealing them JUST so they can return them to you. Once they give them to me I always put them down and then can NEVER remember where I left them so I always end up losing them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now