Dog Obedience Dumb bell training

If you’ve ever watched dog obedience competitions, you’ve probably seen the dogs chasing after objects known as dumbbells. The dumbbell retrieve is a required skill for an obedience competitor. The point of dog obedience dumb bell training is to show that a dog has mastered the retrieve command.

Why is there a dumb bell training technique?
Chances are you will, at some point, want to teach your dog to retrieve. The game of fetch is one of the most common things owners do when they play with their dogs. Through this game, your dog will learn how to retrieve.

Fetch is not, however, an entirely reliable way to teach the retrieve command. If your dog gets sick of the game or distracted by something else he may not bring the toy back. You might, in fact, have some trouble getting him to come back to you at all.

Dumbbell training is the formal way of teaching the retrieve command. Your dog will learn not only to fetch, but to do it on command and to return the object every time. A dog who has been trained this way will not chase a dumbbell until he is instructed to. Nor will he drop it until his owner requests it. Dumbbell training is reliable and structured. It will help your dog’s focus and will teach him to bring an object back to you every single time you throw it.

The dumb bell retrieve training technique

First, you should choose a dumbbell that is appropriate for your dog. They come in different sizes and weights. You may want to start with a lightweight dumbbell until your dog is used to the activity. He may not want to carry something heavier right away.

You’ll need to spend some time teaching your dog to take hold of the dumbbell. He may be reluctant at first, as he won’t recognize it as one of his toys. Start by gently placing the dumbbell in his mouth. You may have to work a little to get it in there. As soon as he has it, praise him and give him a treat.

You might also have to teach your dog to hold onto the dumbbell. He may try to drop it as soon as you get it into his mouth. If this is the case, tell him to “hold” while you gently hold his jaws closed around it. Don’t put too much force on his mouth, and make sure the dumbbell isn’t hurting his teeth. You should only use enough pressure to keep the dumbbell in his mouth. Soon he will start holding it on his own. Once your dog gets used to having the dumbbell in his mouth, the training will be easier.

The hold command will be important later in the training as well. Dogs in competition are required to hold onto the dumbbell until the handler tells them to release it. You can see why dumb bell dog obedience training has an added benefit – and that is training your dog to focus.

Next, teach the dog to take the dumbbell, without you having to place it in his mouth. Offer it to him and say “get it” (or whatever command you choose). Treat him whenever he reaches for it, until he consistently takes it.

Now you can start teaching your dog to actually retrieve the dumbbell. Keep him on a leash for the early stages of training. You don’t want him to be able to run away. Try throwing the dumbbell a couple of times to see if he will chase it. If not, you might have to encourage him by playing with him a little bit. Drag the dumbbell on the ground to see if you can get him to chase it that way. Reward him when he does.

Once he consistently chases the dumbbell, move on to the next level of training. Dogs in competition are required to sit still beside their owner until they are released to chase. Start making your dog sit by your side. Tell him to stay before you throw the dumbbell. This will probably take several tries before your dog gets the idea. Treat him when he stays, and use your “get it” command to release him.

This is also when you can start making your dog hold the dumbbell until you tell him to give it to you. Have him sit in front of you when he returns and don’t take the dumbbell from him until he is sitting. Praise him when he sits. Tell him to hold. Hopefully he will have already learned that command while you were teaching him to keep the dumbbell in his mouth. Again, reward him for keeping the dumbbell until you ask for it.

Dog obedience dumbbell training does take some patience. You’ll have to train your dog in stages, but the effort will be worth it. These exercises will reinforce your dog’s retrieve skill, make them consistent and increase your dog’s ability to focus. The dumbbell retrieve is not just a simple game of fetch. It is much more challenging. There are rules, and more is required of your dog, but this won’t make your dog enjoy it any less. Quality time with you is what he craves most of all!

If you're interested in more training techniques, we highly recommend Sit Stay Fetch, an excellent dog training reference covering all aspects of training and dog ownership.

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