Tatum’s Taking the Dumbbell!
Yay! I’m so excited. For a while there I didn’t think she’d ever take the dumbbell on her own.
Tatum Dumbbell
I’ve been putting squeeze cheese on the dumbbell for her to lick, which she really likes. And no matter how many times I’ve read, in clicker training books, that a dog will naturally just open her mouth to take the thing after a while… I have never had a dog do that. Or else maybe I’m just not patient enough. LOL
So, with the help of my trainer, I rolled the bar of the dumbbell into her mouth when she was licking. She wasn’t too crazy about that, but when the dumbbell was in, I would click, and you could tell she understood that.
It only took a couple of days for her to start opening her mouth and taking the dumbbell in on her own! I was thrilled! So I didn’t need to start a hair loss treatment as I wasn’t pulling my hair out for too long!
So now we work on duration.. how long the dumbbell stays in her mouth. It’ll come, for sure. And she has to take it when it’s on the ground. All doable. I did it all with Levi and Lucy and they love the dumbbell. 
My smart smooth collie girl is gonna do obedience!
Comments
Comment from fugitiveartist
Time March 30, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Congratulations! It is not easy to teach a dog to take a dumbbell, so you must be so proud.
Comment from Cachorro
Time March 30, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Great job Tatum! Its really hard to teach that! Seeya! Kisses!
Cachorros last blog post..Cuidado com cães pequenos! Eles podem ser ferozes!
Comment from Parvo
Time March 31, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Always exciting when a dog finally learns a new trick. We’re trying to get ours to keep a treat on his nose, and then flip it up to catch it.
So far he just looks down and then eats it off the floor. Oh well, at least he’s pragmatic.
Parvos last blog post..Treatment of Dog Parvo
Comment from Black Labradors
Time April 1, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Its been a couple of days hows this training going? I interested in his progress….
Black Labradorss last blog post..Labrador Fun Facts
Comment from Lindsay
Time April 2, 2009 at 12:04 pm
My problem with Ace is he drops whatever is in his mouth right away because he wants me to throw it. He will bring anything to me, but then drops it. He will not hold. Whenever I try to teach him the “hold” command I end up really losing my temper. So, since he is a mutt and we can’t compete in obedience anyway, I haven’t gotten anywhere.
I should probably try the clicker. And work on it every day and not lose my temper. Just haven’t decided if it’s worth it or not.
Lindsays last blog post..Walk your dog 101 miles (day 2)
Comment from K9Ring
Time April 2, 2009 at 1:08 pm
I don’t know about the dumbbell thing. I would like to teach our boxer to pick up his leash and bring it to me when I take him for a walk. I never tried clicker training, but it may just be the solution.
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Comment from SheltieJim
Time April 3, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Cyn, you are such a great trainer! I just love the way you work through problems and keep your focus on the positive. I can learn a lot from you (and plan to do just that!). Actually, I’ve started working a little with Abby and her dumbell, too — can’t have you and Tatum having all the fun, you know!
Comment from GregR
Time April 3, 2009 at 6:13 pm
She is the cutest puppy (except for mine of course)
GregRs last blog post..Kristen Schaal AKA Mel Revells Background to Third Season
Comment from Tomdogs – petyourdog.com
Time April 6, 2009 at 7:56 am
NICE! This is really good training. I didn’t know that dogs could do weights lol .. Keep it up
Comment from N.Balasubramanian
Time April 6, 2009 at 10:20 am
A good training method I liked.
N.Balasubramanians last blog post..Is it worth to do all the house repairs ourselves?
Comment from Cynthia
Time April 10, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Oh but Lindsay you can compete in obedience with a mix! The only venue that doesn’t allow mixes is the stinky AKC. We are going to be doing ASCA obedience in may, I love it! The people are nice and happy and the dogs seem happier than AKC also.
I love seeing mixes in Obedience!
Comment from Black Labradors
Time March 30, 2009 at 11:31 am
That’s a pretty good looking dumbbell. Why wouldn’t any dog want to run around with that thing in their mouth. Nice job working with her.