Marked Retrieves

At Intermediate level, we are now looking to develop your dog’s marked retrieves by increasing the distance and beginning to introduce retrieves into more challenging environments, including picking from cover.

Your dog should already understand the basics of a marked retrieve, and we are now building on that foundation by making the exercise more realistic and closer to what they may experience when working in the field.

As always, build the distance up gradually. Do not jump ahead too quickly. Your dog needs to understand the exercise clearly and remain confident before you increase the challenge.

We have also included tutorials on achieving that all-important delivery to hand. A retrieve is not complete until your dog returns to you and delivers the dummy correctly. Please watch the separate lecture on delivery to hand and continue to practise this skill alongside your retrieves.

If you do not have someone available to throw dummies for you, you can still practise this exercise. Sit your dog up, walk out to the required distance and then throw the dummy yourself. This also brings steadiness into the exercise, as your dog must remain sitting and wait for your instruction.

If your dog is not steady, do not send them for the retrieve. Simply sit your dog back up and go and pick the dummy yourself. Your dog only gets the reward of the retrieve when they have remained steady and listened to you.

At Intermediate level, this exercise should be completed off lead, so take your time and gradually build towards this. If needed, use your heeling lead or a controlled environment while you develop reliability.

Remember, the goal is not just a dog that retrieves, but a dog that listens, stays steady and works as part of a partnership with you.