I have been working with a beautiful German shorthair pointer, Jinx on the trained retrieve (force fetch). Jinx is coming along nicely. I started on the table using the ear pinch, getting him to hold dowels, wooden dumbells (photo above), bumpers, then graduating to a hammer (held far down the handle, it’s awkward and difficult to hold), and a metal pry bar (again, uncomfortable and difficult to hold). With Jinx confidence and previous training, and his ability to learn, he is coming along quickly. However, it’s important not to skip steps, so the foundation is properly laid.
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