What is Retrieve?
There is no retrieve exercise in Introductory or Pre-Beginners
In Beginners - retrieve handlers article, which may be a dumbbell if you wish
In Novice & A - retrieve handlers dumbbell
In B & C - retrieve Judges Article
The short answer is training the dog to wait at your left side while you throw an article or dumbbell, then you instruct the dog to 'fetch' the thrown item and the dog should return to sit 'straight' in front of you holding the item, then you take the item from your dog (dog still sitting), then you ask the dog to sit beside your left leg. All this in a public area, in a marked out ring area.
The long answer is set out below ...
In Beginners - retrieve handlers article, which may be a dumbbell if you wish
In Novice & A - retrieve handlers dumbbell
In B & C - retrieve Judges Article
The short answer is training the dog to wait at your left side while you throw an article or dumbbell, then you instruct the dog to 'fetch' the thrown item and the dog should return to sit 'straight' in front of you holding the item, then you take the item from your dog (dog still sitting), then you ask the dog to sit beside your left leg. All this in a public area, in a marked out ring area.
The long answer is set out below ...
What can I use for Retrieve & What is a Dumbbell?
In Beginners you can use your own item for the dog to retrieve, ideally this will be something that your dog likes, and will return to you without thinking its a toy to be played with during the retrieve. Finding the right item can be trial and error, and eventually you do need to use a dumbbell in the higher classes, so most people do often train from the beginning using a dumbbell (see pictures of dumbbells supplied by Pet Needs ).
In Novice and A the item is your own dumbbell, so one of a size suitable for your dog needs to be purchased (or made!). If your dog does not like the weight of a dumbbell, you can 'make' one of any firmish material and as long as it looks like dumbbell shaped it will be acceptable. It is a sensible idea to write your name and phone number on the end of your dumbbell as they often get left behind at shows! In Class B upwards the item the dog has to retrieve belongs to the judge. They will have brought with them a collection of identical items, one for each dog in the ring. You will not know from one show to another what item the judge may bring! Items vary immensely from say a rolled up magazine to blocks of wood, even metal items or several items secured together. |
For All Class Levels (only difference in A and above is signals/commands you can use) ..
What to Expect in the ring:
The Ring Steward instructions for retrieve are similar for all class levels (Beginners to Championship C), examples of what you might hear in the ring is below. The Retrieve exercise begins with the dog sitting beside you (on your left side) - you will be directed by the ring steward to the starting position and they will wait for you to set your dog up beside you. In Beginners and Novice you can use verbal encouragement or commands throughout the exercise. In Class A you can only use a simultaneous command and signal (including dogs name if you wish) at the start of the exercise. In Class B & C you can only use a single command OR signal (including dogs name if you wish) at the start of the exercise. You cannot touch your dog during the exercise in any class level.
... you may then hear something like:
... Tip .. keep a space between your legs (ie don't have your feet touching each other) for the dog to aim for and have both your feet pointing forward in a straight line. ... you may then hear something like:
... you may then hear something like:
... you should then hear something like:
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Photo Examples of Retrieve stages .. With many thanks to Caroline with Spooky (Boxer) for permission to post these Spooky enjoying the
thrill of 'fetch' Spooky returning with the dumbbell and holding it nice and tightly
Spooky showing a super 'present' position whilst holding the dumbbell
& waiting for Caroline to 'take' it |
Photos and Videos of the Retrieve ..
Below .. 'Ratz' (Bearded Collie) showing great pick up and hold of dumbbell during return ..
Many thanks to Debbie with Ratz for permission to post this
Many thanks to Debbie with Ratz for permission to post this
Below is a Facebook video example of a Retrieve with Dawn and her Boxer 'Zac'
(click on mauve 'button'). Video posted with permission of Dawn Barry - many thanks
(click on mauve 'button'). Video posted with permission of Dawn Barry - many thanks
|
Video example of Rumba (Working Cocker Spaniel) doing the dumbbell retrieve exercise Many thanks to Caroline for permission to post this |
Below .. more examples of carrying the dumbbell ..
Many thanks to all the people who sent me these photos and permission to use them
Many thanks to all the people who sent me these photos and permission to use them
What you Might Lose Points for during the Retrieve ..
All judges marks are 'graduated' according to the severity of the fault. So any part of the exercise might be marked 1/4 of a point if a minor fault occurred or substantially more if a major fault occurred.
All the individual faults marks are added together to give the overall score for the recall exercise.
Each time your dog does one of the things below you may lose marks
Items in brackets () are the common name for the marking
Set up - Dog beside you - you may lose:
All the individual faults marks are added together to give the overall score for the recall exercise.
Each time your dog does one of the things below you may lose marks
Items in brackets () are the common name for the marking
Set up - Dog beside you - you may lose:
- If your dog is not 'straight in the body' beside your leg (crooked position), or if the dog is too far back or too far forward.
- If your dog moves from position, maybe stands instead of remaining sitting
- If your dog dogs to get the item without being commanded (anticipation)
- If your dog does not go to get the article
- If your dog goes very slowly to get the article
- If your dog deviates or gets distracted, maybe goes off sniffing
- If your dog does not pick the item up at all
- If your dog picks up the item but stops to mouth it or 'play' with it
- If your dog picks it up and puts it down again, then maybe picks it up again
- If your dog does not come back at a smart pace
- If your dog comes extremely slowly
- If your dog does not hold the item consistently ie rolls it about or munches it (mouthing)
- If the dog drops the item on the way back (even if it picks it up again)
- If your dog does not sit 'straight' in front of you (crooked sit)
- If the dog goes past you a bit and then comes back to the front of you
- If your dog rolls the item around in its mouth or munches it (mouthing)
- If your dog drops the item
- If your dog will not 'give up' the item to you, ie maybe holds onto it
- If the dog does not move when asked into the position beside your left leg
- If the dog jumps very high during the manoeuvre
- If the dog does not end up sitting very straight beside you (crooked finish)
- If the dog sits too far back or too far forward beside you (crooked finish)
- If the dog stands beside you instead of sitting
- If the dog goes too far away from you either to the side or behind you
- For intentional or unintentional body signals by hand, arm, shoulder, head etc movements
ObedienceUK, Competitive Obedience, Obedience Shows, Dog Training, Obedience Competition,
Dog Shows, Dog Sports, Dog Activities, The Kennel Club, Heelwork, Retrieve, Recall, Sendaway, Scent, Distant Control
Dog Shows, Dog Sports, Dog Activities, The Kennel Club, Heelwork, Retrieve, Recall, Sendaway, Scent, Distant Control