The Dog Squad Monthly Bark Report
Volume 4 Issue 7July 2013
Happy 4th of July!
   
Bull Dog Puppy
  Summer time presents many hazards for our dogs. Please read the following articles to prepare yourself for the 4th, vacation traveling and the hot days of summer.

  
Hope you and your dogs have a wonderful and safe summer.

Steve Bettcher, IACP Certified Dog Trainer
The Dog Squad
Teaching a Dog to RetrieveTeaching a Beagle to Retrieve

 

I learned this following retrieve technique from Francis Metcalf of Friends of the Family Dog Training, Circus Class.

 

 

The video is time compressed showing the four steps I used in teaching the retrieve to my Beagle, Audrey.

 

Every dog will be different in how long it takes to achieve what is shown in the video. It took me about 3 weeks working 10 to 15 minutes a day.

 

If you are proficient with a clicker then use it to mark the behaviors you want. I personally just use a "Yes" or "Good Dog" as a marker.

 

Step One: I use a playing card to start the training. I bend the card in half or a third. The first step is to get the dog to touch the card with it's nose or mouth. When the dog is touching the card consistently then I hold off rewarding the dog until he puts his mouth on it. As the dog touches the card and receives no treat he will attempt to move the card with his mouth and will start to bite it. When he bites the card reward big time. Once he starts to bite the card consistently then I move to Step Two. 

 

Step Two: I drop the card right in front of the dog and start rewarding any touching of the card with his mouth. Once the dog is doing this then I start being more selective with the behaviors to reward, such as biting, picking up, picking up and placing it in my hand or on a place.

 

This step takes the most patience and time. Be sure to reward every close step and approximation to the behavior you want. Keep asking for more but slowly. When the dog is consistently picking up the card then move to the next step.

 

Step Three: Retrieving the card. Start throwing the card further and further away from the dog and rewarding the dog for bringing it back to your hand or to a spot like a place. In the video I use my brief case for a place. When the dog can do this reliably then you can go to Step Four.

 

Step Four: Introducing new objects. This is the part that really becomes fun. Even though the dog has been retrieving the card he may not immediately get the idea that the new object is to be retrieved. Offer all the help you can at this stage, even backing up a bit by rewarding lesser behaviors like just touching the object. After introducing several different objects you will see that the dog is starting to get the concept of retrieve very quickly.

 

In the video I introduce my key chain. I had to add a leather tab because Audrey would not pick up the metal keys. Most dogs are not going to like picking up metal so adding something that will help them is appropriate. I will continue to work on this so that she will eventually pick up the keys without the tab.

 

I Hope this helps you achieve a retrieve with your dog. It's a lot of fun and can provide hours of entertainment for both you and your dog, especially on the days that it is too hot to go outside and train.

 

 Happy retrieving!

New Specialty Class Offerings for 2013
 
Classes are all 6 weeks in length and are 1 hour in length except for Nosework which is an hour and a half. Dates and times are open to change depending on interest and weather.  
 
Classes must reach a minimum of 4 students before they can run. 

Click on the links below for more information and to sign up. 
   
Introduction to Tricks: Open to Public, Oakland, CA
Wednesday 6:30 PM, July 10 - Aug 31
Cost $225 Limit 8 Dogs
  
O Open to only Dog Squad Clients who have trained on the E-collar. San Leandro, CA
Sunday 12 Noon, Aug 11 - Sept 22 (Skip Labor Day weekend)
Cost $225 Limit 8 Dogs

Puppy Class 1: Open to Public, Oakland, CA
Wednesday 6:30 PM, Aug 28 - Oct 2
Cost $200 Limit 8 Puppies

Off Leash II:  Open to Dog Squad Clients who have completed Off Leash I - E-collar Trained only, San Leandro, CA

Sunday 12 Noon, Sept 29 - Nov 3

Cost $225 Limit 8 Dogs

 

Introduction to Nosework: Open to Public, Oakland, CA
Wednesday 6:30 PM to 8 PM, Oct 9 - Nov 13
Cost $225 Limit 6 Dogs
Downtown Excursion Classes - Walnut Creek, Danville and Pleasanton

The "Dogs Downtown Excursions" have expanded to 3 Locations: Walnut Creek, Danville and Pleasanton starting Saturday April 6, 2013. The schedule will work as follows: The first Saturday of the month will be Walnut Creek, the 2nd Saturday will be Danville, the 3rd Saturday will be Pleasanton. I will be taking off the 4th weekend of every month. When a Saturday falls on the 5th weekend then a Bonus Class will be announced.
  
Locations
  Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek   
 

Schedule for July 2013
- Saturday July 6  - Walnut Creek
- Saturday July 13 - Danville
- Saturday July 20  - Pleasanton
- Saturday July 27 - Walnut Creek
- Saturday August 3 - No Class

The San Leandro Marina Class will begin again on Wednesday July 10th at 10 am. The class will run from 10 am until 11 am. It will be held on the 2nd and 3rd Wednesday of each month, not weekly.
 
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Have a great summer!

Steve Bettcher, IACP Certified Dog Trainer
The Dog Squad
In This Issue
Introduction
Retrieve
New Classes
Downtown Classes
Facebook
Class Changes
Free Puppy Book
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No Classes
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