The Step-by-Step Guide to Teaching Your Dog the Competitive Retrieve

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In this video, we'll cover the first step to teaching your dog a competitive retrieve. This technique is crucial for success in competition and can also help improve your dog's overall obedience. We'll walk you through the process step-by-step, from selecting the right equipment to setting up a successful training session. By the end of this video, you'll have the knowledge and confidence to start teaching your dog the first step of the competitive retrieve.
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I would like to give a special thanks to my editor, Ahsan, for his hard work in creating this video. If you're interested in his editing services, you can reach him at [e-mail]

[@3chodabs195]

Just wanna say every time your sorry that you “went on a tangent” I learn something new and valuable

[@adventurousdoglover]

Your videos always show up at the perfect time! I’m training my service dog for PTSD and I was curious if I could still do other type of work with her especially increasing her drive. Very informative video especially as I gain clients! She looks almost identical to dog number 2!

[@NateSchoemer]

Thanks! I'm happy the video is helpful. :)

[@carolinenelson489]

This is so great NATE! I love watching and seeing the different people behaviors , and actions. Some people's timing and ability to read the dog are "innately" quicker.. The verbal training method is something that has to be engrained in the persons mind. I started using this method and it took a while to have it become more reflex. This is just great stuff watching the dogs and people advance. When watching others using a different language, it makes it harder to know what they are saying . Your the best Nate !

[@NateSchoemer]

Thank you so much! :)

[@xaviercao9310]

I really love your dog training vest, where can i get one of that for my fiance?😂

[@NateSchoemer]

Thanks! I got it years ago from a store in Los Angeles called, Blue Collar Working Dog. The brand is usa.juliusk9.com/

[@xaviercao9310]

@@NateSchoemer tysm Nate!

[@armandhammer2235]

Me too.

[@kaiserollz]

Nate, do you have a video about teaching hand signals from a distance during a retrieve? E.g., guiding a bird dog in the field at a distance prior to a retrieve. Or any advice for the steps needed for this kind of training?

[@chrisbotsis7658]

Nate thank you so much for these videos learning so much

[@pennypiper5857]

Thank you, great video!

[@miratraven5755]

Yet again a great video. I struggle with pairing cue and physical. It is something I need to work on. Your videos have helped me improve with it.

[@sylviamcneill4372]

Very helpful step-by-step description of teaching this game. My little guy is one of those who sees very little value in grabbing a toy so your information on how to work around that was very applicable in my situation. Regarding the resource guarding comments. Neither one of our dogs resource guards their food. As you described we have been basic vending machines since day one, so they have no issues with us being around, touching them or moving their food while eating. We have never taken anything away from them without a drop it command and an exchange or reward. However, we have had to work on the affection-based resource guarding. We resolved this issue by petting both at the same time in the same manner and quality. Also by not letting one push the other away. One or the other decides they have had their desired amount of affection and quits or we (us humans) end the session while everything is calm. We were surprised to hear you say that someone who has a resource-guarding dog is probably not interested in competitive obedience unless you meant if a person STILL has a resource-guarding dog, they are probably not interested in competitive OB.

[@NateSchoemer]

Thanks for your comment. :)

[@armandhammer2235]

This could be a game show. The winner gets paid. I'll audition.

[@NateSchoemer]

Yeah! :)

[@useemehere2]

Awesome dog training by Nate. Love watching your video.

[@NateSchoemer]

Thanks so much!

[@tanjatarnarzewski8338]

Again, a great video. Thank you. I really like to watch your classes. They are always helpful and interesting. 🤗🐾

[@NateSchoemer]

Thank you! :)

[@katieellis1504]

Great start! Is there more to come on the other parts of the retrieve?

[@rethalewis5467]

Great video on retrieving.

[@travelspastand2357]

Thanks!

[@NateSchoemer]

Thank you, I appreciate that! :)

[@lalkrishna4885]

Excellent one

[@timothyomalley1851]

Excellent

[@NateSchoemer]

Thanks, Tim! :)

[@bergerblancsuisse.]

When you add a command like "Out" or "Drop" would you use the continual or terminal marker?

[@phillipm6481]

So when I release my dogs to do whatever I say “break” and when they do a behavior I want I say “yes” then reward. Teaching this retrieve should I be saying “break” get them to release then reward?

[@carynbutts6982]

How do you fix resource guarding the human if it's caused by fear?

[@ananthdayakar4401]

Hey Nate! I've been watching your videos for the past month or so, recently decided to subscribe and join after using your training methods and seeing fascinating results with my 2 month old golden retriever! He's learned sit, down and leave it already (still with hand signals, he only understands the word sit so far). I have one problem though, everytime anyone tries to pet him he thinks it's a game and goes into play biting mode. While it's helped me teach him bite inhibition, he's still nibbling. My question is, is this a teething behaviour that will phase out and if so, how long should I expect it to take, and if not and it's a behaviour I need to nip in the bud, how do I go about it? Thanks a lot once again for all your videos, your way of explaining and simplifying training really connected with me!

[@NateSchoemer]

Thanks! It could be from teething, and it will usually go away around 6 months of age. However, if the dog finds it to be a fun activity, then it will continue beyond the 6th month. This would then be considered a self-reinforcing behavior. For self-reinforcing behaviors, we have two main options: prevent or correct. If you want to prevent it, then leash pressure could be a good option. When he goes to bite, I would use my marker that predicts negative reinforcement. For me, that word is "wrong." Then I would use the leash pressure to stop the behavior. The moment the puppy stops, I would release the pressure and provide praise. If you want to correct it, then a leash pop could be a good option. I demonstrate a leash pop in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6jUkKatZd-AqJI. I hope this helps, and thanks for the support!

[@ananthdayakar4401]

​@@NateSchoemer thank you for the reply! Appreciate it, thanks for the video as well

[@davebull6007]

CAN YOU MAKE A VIDIO ON redirected aggression WHEN ON LEED

[@NateSchoemer]

Yes, when I get a dog that is having that issue, we'll make a video on it. Cheers!

[@dreamer77777]

You should fix your audio to stereo instead of mono on your editing Prog is distracting the great teaching

[@NateSchoemer]

I’ll let the editor know. Thanks!

[@dreamer77777]

My bad ruin it’s not the right word is distracting great teaching tho

[@carolinenelson489]

I'm not an "audio" person, so I never noticed.

[@phillipm6481]

I’m a little confused with the “yes” and “free” ….

[@mollasima3251]

Yes is a continuation marker (dog continues what they are doing - handler brings the food to them). Free is a release marker (dog can stop what they're doing and comes to the handle for the food).