This dog started out not even wanting to *look* at
his dumbell (for obedience). He would fuss, turn his
head, avoidance tactics abounded.
I stopped trying to bribe him with food (p.b, cheese
smooshed on it & so on) and resorted to evil
tactics:
Jealousy.
I would babygate him in the bedroom, and then he could
watch me & Coda playing with the dumbell. He would
howl in frustration. After a bit, I would let him out & he
would take it and hold just a bit (always give, he's good at
giving things when asked).
Slowly, he's been progressing to holding it longer & longer.
But, it's still not something he *enjoys* (not like the Broad Jump,
for example...which he loves).

Anyway, today I left it sitting with my Nike's in the recliner.
I came home & it was completely *covered* with teeth marks
and big chunks out of one side of the bell. (He's been
really great about not chewing stuff up for quite some time now)
Argh.
I know, I know, it's my own fault for leaving it out.
Duh.
Shelly (Who now has to buy a new dumbell) & The Boys

--
"A breeder who has no interest in rescue of what he has produced is of no
value to anyone, and of even less value to his breed." -- Dr. Malcolm
Willis, Author, Genetic History of the German Shepherd Dog
http://www.geocities.com/shellybrosnan/spring04.html