For some time now I've been trying to get Muttley to bring me things such as
chewed up old bones, paper plates, batteries, sticks, and other items on the
floor. For some reason, he often gets very excited and he jumps around and
scratches himself and frantically looks for something to pick up, and
sometimes he'll grab a bone and toss it. He also makes a funny sort of grin.

This evening I let him lick out an ice cream carton and the lid. I asked him
to bring them to me when he had finished, and he brought me the lid, three
bones, and finally the empty container. He seemed a bit less excited and
more focused. So I got a fresh marrow bone from the fridge and had him lie
down. He practically threw his front legs out to assume the position
instantly, and he took the bone back to his place and enjoyed it for a
while.

I'll try to get a video clip of this next time. Muttley the retriever, a
potential service dog!

Paul and Muttley
www.muttleydog.com

"Paul E. Schoen" wrote in message
news
For some time now I've been trying to get Muttley to bring me things such
as chewed up old bones, paper plates, batteries, sticks, and other items
on the floor. For some reason, he often gets very excited and he jumps
around and scratches himself and frantically looks for something to pick
up, and sometimes he'll grab a bone and toss it. He also makes a funny
sort of grin.

This evening I let him lick out an ice cream carton and the lid. I asked
him to bring them to me when he had finished, and he brought me the lid,
three bones, and finally the empty container. He seemed a bit less excited
and more focused. So I got a fresh marrow bone from the fridge and had him
lie down. He practically threw his front legs out to assume the position
instantly, and he took the bone back to his place and enjoyed it for a
while.

I'll try to get a video clip of this next time. Muttley the retriever, a
potential service dog!

Paul and Muttley
www.muttleydog.com


So, in four years, you are just now "teaching" Muttley something? Better
late than never, I suppose.
How are you training him?
What methods are you using? Is Muttley enjoying it? Is he having fun?
Are you using treats to reward?
Are you clicker training?
How often do you train a day? A week?

"Phyrie" wrote in message
...


"Paul E. Schoen" wrote in message
news
For some time now I've been trying to get Muttley to bring me things such
as chewed up old bones, paper plates, batteries, sticks, and other items
on the floor. For some reason, he often gets very excited and he jumps
around and scratches himself and frantically looks for something to pick
up, and sometimes he'll grab a bone and toss it. He also makes a funny
sort of grin.

This evening I let him lick out an ice cream carton and the lid. I asked
him to bring them to me when he had finished, and he brought me the lid,
three bones, and finally the empty container. He seemed a bit less
excited and more focused. So I got a fresh marrow bone from the fridge
and had him lie down. He practically threw his front legs out to assume
the position instantly, and he took the bone back to his place and
enjoyed it for a while.

I'll try to get a video clip of this next time. Muttley the retriever, a
potential service dog!


So, in four years, you are just now "teaching" Muttley something? Better
late than never, I suppose.
How are you training him?
What methods are you using? Is Muttley enjoying it? Is he having fun?
Are you using treats to reward?
Are you clicker training?
How often do you train a day? A week?

I don't have any schedule for training and I don't use any particular
method, but I do give him treats or generally good things to reinforce
wanted behavior. He's not a playful dog, and I don't know if he's having
fun. But he seems relaxed and calm. Most important to me is that he is
trustworthy to be left alone, and he is OK meeting new people and other
dogs. Formal training, IMO, is optional as long as his basic behavior is
acceptable. But all interactions subject to leadership and guidance are
essentially training, and those occur daily.

Paul and Muttley
www.muttleydog.com