Ok guys I am trying to do some polishing on my dog's behavior before the season starts and one thing I am having trouble with is getting him to hold the dummy. He fetches good , brings it right back to me but always drops it at my feet before he heels. I am trying to get him to heel and hold the bird until I grab it...any suggestions on how to teach this?

I read to pick it up put it back in his mouth and walk away and make him heel again a few times. Have u tried this?

yea I have tried this and just about everything I could think of...tried holding it in him mouth while he is heeling but he refuses to hold it. I am going to keep trying to put it back in his mouth everytime he drops it and maybe he will pick up on it.

What I did was put pressure on the dogs ear (pinch it between the collar) when he does not have the dummy in his mouth. Place the dummy in his mouth and say "hold" and release the pressure. when he drops it put apply the pressure back and place it back in his mouth and when he holds it release the pressure. It worked for my dog.
Good luck.

If you are using plastic dummies try the canvas. Place the dog on a table and place the dummy in his mouth. If he drops it pinch his ear just enough to get his attention and try again. Once he holds it rub and praise him alot. Go through this 3 to 5 minutes a session. Some dogs may be done after 5 sessions and some may take up to 15. Holding the dummy is his escape from pain and he will learn. Feel him out and see how he responds, its better to use light pressure at first. If you overwhelm and use too much pressure, pinching too hard, you can have a bigger problem. Try the book Waterdog. I believe there is some force fetch training in there.

2 foot piece of water hose works also

10 min retriever says u can try to put the dummie n his mouth and tie it shut

try holdin the dummie in your mouth and see if he'll catch on

FORCE FETCH! Find a good book or video that can teach you how to force fetch a dog. This one tool will solve a ton of your problems.

if your dog will grab the bird rather than the dummy and bring it straight to your boat or blind with out chewing it up and sit still in the blind then whats to complain about.....better than you having to get out the boat or blind and walk/paddle out and get it your self i would say......just my .02, although my dog is in training professionally right now for force fetching...

JordY b.