Introduction to the Memory Retrieve

In this lesson, we are introducing the foundations of the memory retrieve. This exercise develops your dog's ability to remember the location of a retrieve and return to it after moving away from the area.

This is also the very beginning of your dog's understanding of blind retrieves. A successful blind retrieve relies on your dog trusting your direction and having confidence that there is a retrieve waiting for them, even though they have not seen it being placed. This understanding is built through many successful memory retrieves.

Begin by walking your dog at heel on the lead for a short distance. Place a dummy down, then use your cue to encourage your dog to mark the dummy and take note of its location.

Continue walking away from the dummy with your dog at heel. After a few paces, ask your dog to sit and wait. Once your dog is settled, send them back to the dummy using your "back" command.

As with all retrieves, the retrieve is not complete until your dog returns and delivers the dummy correctly to your hand. Reward and reinforce this part of the exercise every time.

Initially, keep the distance short and focus on your dog understanding the concept. Once your dog is confidently returning to the dummy, gradually increase the distance between your dog and the retrieve.

Remember, you cannot rush a blind retrieve. You need to complete hundreds of successful memory retrieves before expecting your dog to confidently work towards a blind retrieve. The stronger the foundation you build now, the more reliable your future directional work will become.

This is the start of a journey that will develop your dog's trust, confidence and ability to work with you as a team.

As always, less is more. Build confidence, keep sessions short, and allow your dog to succeed before making the exercise more challenging.