Good suggestions wanted, dog won't release
Discussion
Open to suggestions to encourage our terrier to release on command.
He will happily fetch and return his toys but he's not willing to let them go.
Hard toys can be taken but anything soft that can be bitten down on he will hang on to till death, the same applies to your coat given the chance.
He's a 4 and a bit month old typical terrier, bright and keen to learn with a rebellious side,
Let's hear what worked for you .
He will happily fetch and return his toys but he's not willing to let them go.
Hard toys can be taken but anything soft that can be bitten down on he will hang on to till death, the same applies to your coat given the chance.
He's a 4 and a bit month old typical terrier, bright and keen to learn with a rebellious side,
Let's hear what worked for you .
Not a terrier expert but since they were bred to drag things out of holes and shake them to death I think you are looking at breed trait.
Don't get into tug of war (but I guess you would know that already) - if you or anyone else has been trying to drag things out of his mouth you probably have an even bigger challenge.
Could try swapping the item you want with something dog finds more attractive (a live rat would do the trick)
Don't get into tug of war (but I guess you would know that already) - if you or anyone else has been trying to drag things out of his mouth you probably have an even bigger challenge.
Could try swapping the item you want with something dog finds more attractive (a live rat would do the trick)
Edited by oddman on Tuesday 10th January 20:26
Link below is a 'Leave it' tutorial, but it is the same technique for 'Off' to stop puppies biting. 'Off' or 'Leave it' command once learned works for dropping/giving things up as well. Just be consistent with the same command; so if you teach 'Off', use "Off' to get the dog to drop something rather than Drop or Leave it as it will just get confused.
To translate Off/Leave command to get him to drop something, follow the steps in the video until the verbal command has been learned. Then use a toy, don't tug/play with it (as this might be more fun than the treat you are using). Use chosen command 'Leave/Drop' etc then reward with click and treat when he does. Repeat until he gets it.
Just remember if you are using a clicker, that the clicker ONLY signals when something has been done correctly and is ALWAYS rewarded with treat (even if you click by accident). Clicker is not to be used to get a dog's attention or to call it etc. The dog needs to learn (and it will very quickly if you are consistent) that clicker means 'well done, treat' and only this. Deviate and it'll get confused and it'll all go wrong
This happens all the time because people don't follow this simple golden rule.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asVQYYSWPJc
Have fun and be prepared for some gnawed knuckles!
To translate Off/Leave command to get him to drop something, follow the steps in the video until the verbal command has been learned. Then use a toy, don't tug/play with it (as this might be more fun than the treat you are using). Use chosen command 'Leave/Drop' etc then reward with click and treat when he does. Repeat until he gets it.
Just remember if you are using a clicker, that the clicker ONLY signals when something has been done correctly and is ALWAYS rewarded with treat (even if you click by accident). Clicker is not to be used to get a dog's attention or to call it etc. The dog needs to learn (and it will very quickly if you are consistent) that clicker means 'well done, treat' and only this. Deviate and it'll get confused and it'll all go wrong
This happens all the time because people don't follow this simple golden rule.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asVQYYSWPJc
Have fun and be prepared for some gnawed knuckles!
Teach "leave". One of the most important commands you can teach a dog. Not just for releasing toys, but for their own safety too - if you drop a paracetamol they'll reach it first so you need to be able to stop them.
Pretty easy to teach, as well. I taught my dogs by putting a bit of food on the ground and said "leave" - when they come up to it I took it away and said "no" (gently). Repeat a few times until they realise they're not going to get the food - as soon as they don't go for it I would reward them with a different bit of food. They learned really quickly and I'm now able to torture them by sitting bits of food on their paws/noses and making them leave
I did have a bit of difficulty with the Collie because he's a time traveller... My wife says he's just faster than me, but I swear he just appeared across the room instantly with the food in his mouth. I didn't see him cross the room, just disappear from Point A and appear at Point B. He still managed to learn somehow, despite getting almost all the food
Pretty easy to teach, as well. I taught my dogs by putting a bit of food on the ground and said "leave" - when they come up to it I took it away and said "no" (gently). Repeat a few times until they realise they're not going to get the food - as soon as they don't go for it I would reward them with a different bit of food. They learned really quickly and I'm now able to torture them by sitting bits of food on their paws/noses and making them leave
I did have a bit of difficulty with the Collie because he's a time traveller... My wife says he's just faster than me, but I swear he just appeared across the room instantly with the food in his mouth. I didn't see him cross the room, just disappear from Point A and appear at Point B. He still managed to learn somehow, despite getting almost all the food
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