I've been trying to train retrieval with my service dog in training since I got her, but she's seemed to have a block about retrieval commands specifically. She learned around 2 dozen other things during the months she was stuck on retrieval. Last night, though, we had our first really successful training session with it. I think part of the success came from us being more bonded than when we first started training, but I thought I'd share the steps that worked in training, too, in case they help anyone else:
Step 1: Put dog food/treats in a breathable cloth bag. Have Coco go get it only on command. I used “get it” at first, which she knew from playing, and then I transitioned to “get bag”. At this stage, she was chewing on the bag, trying to get the treats out, but I would still praise her for getting it when I asked.
Step 2: Repeat step 1 but ask her to “bring it” once she has it. Gently pull her and the bag towards me and reward/praise when she arrives. Take bag and give treat.
Step 3: Once she’s bringing it on command, repeat steps 1 and 2 but add the “give” command once she gets to me with the bag, which I have been placing further and further each time. Trade bag for treat.
Step 4: Repeat steps 1 through 3 with actual medication bag (no medication in it) once this skill is strong. Put treats in the bag at first but don’t let her chew the bag at all.
Step 5: Repeat step 4 with no treats in the medication bag.
Step 6: Repeat step 5 with the medication bag where it will be for the actual task.
Eventually, I will start asking her to “get bag” from different parts of the house, and I’ll reinforce this task a lot, but I think we’re finally on the right track.
Step 1: Put dog food/treats in a breathable cloth bag. Have Coco go get it only on command. I used “get it” at first, which she knew from playing, and then I transitioned to “get bag”. At this stage, she was chewing on the bag, trying to get the treats out, but I would still praise her for getting it when I asked.
Step 2: Repeat step 1 but ask her to “bring it” once she has it. Gently pull her and the bag towards me and reward/praise when she arrives. Take bag and give treat.
Step 3: Once she’s bringing it on command, repeat steps 1 and 2 but add the “give” command once she gets to me with the bag, which I have been placing further and further each time. Trade bag for treat.
Step 4: Repeat steps 1 through 3 with actual medication bag (no medication in it) once this skill is strong. Put treats in the bag at first but don’t let her chew the bag at all.
Step 5: Repeat step 4 with no treats in the medication bag.
Step 6: Repeat step 5 with the medication bag where it will be for the actual task.
Eventually, I will start asking her to “get bag” from different parts of the house, and I’ll reinforce this task a lot, but I think we’re finally on the right track.
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