Taking the dumbbell from the ground

Once the dog takes the dumbbell from its master’s hand, it is time to teach it to pick the dumbbell up off the ground.

With the dog kept on the back tie, the handler gradually presents the dumbbell to the dog from farther and farther away, so that at first the animal must reach six inches for it, then eight, then ten and so on. If the dog refuses at any point to take the dumbbell, the handler causes it discomfort with the collar, and keeps on causing discomfort until the animal reaches out and takes the dumbbell in its mouth. Once the dog has learned to reach and even take one step forward in order to take the dumbbell, the handler begins to hold it lower and lower until finally he holds it against the ground.

Retrieving the dumbbell on the back tie

So far, the dog has remained stationary. Now the handler must teach his dog not just to reach for the dumbbell, but to run to it. The dog must also learn to carry it back without chewing or dropping it. This does not follow naturally once the dog has learned to take the dumbbell. The typical dog must be carefully taught to carry, because it tends to remain clamped like a vise onto the dumbbell until we ask it to take a step, and then the dog spits it out on the ground.

The handler works the retrieve along the arc of the back tie. He thereby retains the ability to perfectly control the animal, but at the same time he can create the room to move the dog as much as a dozen feet to the dumbbell and a dozen feet back.

He stands close to the limit of the back tie tether with his dog at heel. He gives the command “Take it!” and, rather than simply placing the dumbbell on the ground, he steps forward quickly and throws it four or five feet along the arc of the back tie. In the same motion the dog goes with him and takes the dumbbell. As soon as the dog has it, the handler steps back a pace toward his starting spot, calling the animal so that it turns around and brings the dumbbell back. The handler helps it with voice and gestures to do a perfect come‑fore, and then commands the dog to “Give!” and takes the dumbbell from it.

If at any point the dog drops the dumbbell, the handler instantly begins to correct it and keeps correcting it until he can find some way of finagling it back into the dog’s mouth. After a certain point, it will do no good to simply pick the dumbbell up for the dog and place it back between its jaws. The animal must instead be made to understand that before the discomfort will cease it must actively seek the dumbbell, go to it and take it in its mouth.