DD’s Dog Training is pleased to announce our newest training DVD, Teaching the Dumbbell. It is available for purchase in our store here, and a short preview of the DVD is on YouTube here.
This DVD was the most challenging training DVD we have ever produced–not because the training techniques for teaching a dog to retrieve were difficult, but because there seems to be so much controversy over the various ways of training this skill. In many approaches other than ours, people early on use the ear pinch or toe pinch or even an e-collar to aid them in teaching the retrieve. We have witnessed many people using these methods and then seen them later on in the Obedience ring. And we have had many clients come to us after trying these methods without much success. In so many cases, the dogs don’t have a clear picture of what a good retrieve is. They don’t have a “stay,” they have bad or sloppy pick-ups, and they mouth the dumbbell.
We have used the same approach in teaching the retrieve for over 30 years. And our dogs and client handlers are almost universally successful in following our approach. Even so, every once in a while people ask us, “Don’t you want to try something else?” Our reply is, “How much better can you get?” Our own dogs as well as client’s dogs understand the retrieve game–and they like it! They do it willingly and happily.
We strongly believe in our method for teaching the retrieve. Our approach is intended to be both fair to the dog as well as to be a positive experience for the dog. In our approach, we allow the dog time to learn–and we even help teach the dog “how to learn.” In addition, we never start to teach dumbbell retrieving until a puppy is at least 8 months old. At that age, a puppy is more likely to be mature enough to understand the “game.”
So, despite all the controversy over the various methods of teaching the retrieve, we took the step to make a statement and document our approach in a DVD. In this DVD, you will follow Puppy Glimmer from age 8 months to age 12 months–witnessing how she learned to retrieve perfectly. We also do some problem solving for the occasional set-back, plus we show examples of other dogs learning to retrieve using our method.
This DVD maps out the process step-by-step, giving you a solid lesson plan to follow. In the end, you’ll find you can encourage (and reward) you dog with a cookie, a toy or a big hug! And not a negative reinforcement like an ear pinch, toe pinch or e-collar. Of course, your dog will love you for it!
This DVD is a perfect gift for the holidays.