Long line advice

[Ben Smith]

So I've gone back to using a long line for some of my training as he had suddenly decided to play keep away on retrieves. And straight away he's back to his old self, keen to retrieve, delivery good and he'll even sit and wait to be told to fetch. But my question is, how long should I keep using the long lead for. I've used it before but suspect I stopped with it too soon last time.

[Naj]

Keep it trailing until you have a reliable behaviour. You can shorten it as the dog shows consistency but don't be in a hurry to take it off. The behaviour is part of the dog's repertoire of behaviours so will likely crop up from time to time until it eventually fades away, so you may need the training line again at some stage. Keep the retrieves interesting & this is less likely to happen. If the dog isn't yet steady then it will also help with that.

Naj

[Hepe]

If your dog begin to add it's own fun on the way back with a retrieve it means you are boring and train too easy things! You are probably not even training, just repeating things the dog already knows. It goes too quck, too easy so the dog tries to extend the time of fun. So move on to the next level of training asap!

To add, another reason for the dog delaying the delivery might be that you asked for a tidy delivery but the dog doesn't understand it and is slightly worried about it, delaying coming back. This usually isn't the common reason though, then they more commonly drop the dummy on the way in and come in without it but it's still a slight possibility that the delivery worries a bit so keep that in mind.
Helene

[Ben Smith]

Thanks for the advice both. He's not one for dropping it when he does come in. Will make it more interesting for him.

[newf]

Gradually increase the distraction before shortening or removing the line. It will ask for more focus and strengthen the behavior while you still have control. Children playing, a ball being bounced, another dog retrieving are examples that begin at distance. You know if the distraction is too much or too close if mistakes occur. Either simply the behavior or soften the distraction so the dog is generally successful and able to right the wrong decisions with ease.