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@ zane: Thanks for posting this really cool idea! Actually,: I have a few clients who say they want this exact behavior, but they laugh about it and think it’s like trying to teach kids to put toys in the toy box: possible, but futile. (Actually, kids can, too, but how often do we use positive reinforcement to train them???)
That’sa totally different discussion!
I am sure Tuff will be great at it! Yes, start with a boring object. I taught a task of picking up a cane to a 7 year old service dog who was initially afraid of the sound of the cane…her owner has MS. It took time, desensitization and pay, pay, pay to achieve it, but she can now perform this very cool task and not even need a verbal cue (the cane falling IS the cue!). I didn’t have any experience in training service dogs before. It sounds like Tuff loves retrieving, so YAY!!!
@catherine: I love what you said and could seriously use some guidance in the service dog realm, as I am learning as I go… and forgive me for asking, could we please have a channel about service dogs, or retrieving/mobility tasks?
Good luck, Zane and Tuff!!!