Quote:
Originally Posted by Claeren
I have a related question of my own.
My parents have a 1.3 year old Golden Retriever that is fantastic. Extremely bright, perfect bone structure, does not bark too much or jump up on visitors, obeys commands quickly and without question, follows you around the house and sleeps on your feet, etc. Very well adjusted.
There is ONE problem. He will pick up toys or retreive a stick or what not very quickly and happily and then presents them back to you but will not drop them or give them back. He simply latches on, usually while very obediently sitting there waiting, but will not give up whatever he has in his mouth.
Does anyone know a good trick to correct this?
I think it started because whenever he would pick something up in his mouth as a puppy that my mother would give him a treat to give it back. So now he waits for a treat to give back the stick or toy. But obviously we cannot keep giving him treats everytime we play!! Intense praise does not seem to replace the treats either, i have certainly tried that already....
Claeren.
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We have the same problem with our 2+ year old yellow lab. When he retrieves one of his toys and won't give it back, it is usually because he wants you to grab it and play "tug of war" with him. It probably began when someone in our family started playing this game with him in the past.
I've also read where this behavior can become a problem when you are hunting and expecting the dog to drop a pheasant or duck, etc. I don't recall anyone using a treat to get it back, and I also think using treats in training can be overdone.
I think it is also a control and attention-getting thing to some degree, and I have found by ignoring him, he eventually drops it. Hopefully, with time and persistance he will get the message.