[NAGDU] Finding Dropped Items

Sat May 27 18:52:33 UTC 2017

Thank you for this information! I started this a couple days ago using
sort of a mixture between the two methods described. Demi picked it up
very quickly. She has mastered putting her paw on a dropped item both
in and out of harness. when working in harness, I would drop an object
like my phone or credit card, then would drop the harness and say
"find it," and Demi would put her paw on the item. We have only done
this for practice at home so far.

I am wondering, though, for those of you who actually have your dogs
pick up items, how one would train a dog to pick something up on
command? Demi will fetch, but that is only with her toys, and it seems
like using clicker to teach a dog to pick up an object would be
counterproductive because the dog expects a treat at the sound of the
clicker. Does anyone have insight on this? I don't know if I even want
to train Demi to pick up items; I definitely wouldn't want her doing
it in harness, but it could be a useful skill to have for certain
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On 5/23/17, Julie Johnson via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I taught this a bit different, basically just shaping natural
> tendencies.   I noticed that my dog would immediately go to something
> out of place or new that he hadn't noticed before.  I paired this
> natural behavior with a phrase.  I use, "find it".  Then give praise
> when he went to it. My dog does a nose target, which I found to work
> just fine and so I continue to use that.  He does not pick up random
> objects, so that was not a worry for me.
>
> Later I set up situations with objects that I had placed in a known
> location and then called him to find it.  I used a lot of verbal
> encouragement and praise.  When he found the thing he got more praise,
> pats and acknowledgement.  I don't remember using clicker and treats to
> teach this, but I may have at some point. I did try to teach a retrieve
> at some point, but gave up because he absolutely refused to pick up
> anything that he didn't recognize as his.  We had a lot of problems when
> he was a puppy with chewing up stuff, so I spent a lot of time teaching
> him to only chew on his things.  I guess he took that to heart.  Of
> course every dog is different and it is quite possible that with more
> time I could have taught him a retrieve.  Finding things on the floor
> was really what I needed so I stopped with just locating objects.
>
> I think  Danielle's method would work also.           is a lot more
> methodical  and systematic.  I do try to have training plans and teach
> things step by step, but then life happens and we end up using the fly
> by the seat of your pants method.
>
> Oh, I should add the find it is something that I only use at home or in
> a hotel room, out of harness and off leash.  Monty will not find objects
> on the floor when working in harness.
>
> Good luck!
> Julie
> http://www.guide-and-service-dogs.com
>
>
>
>
> On 5/22/2017 7:38 PM, Danielle Sykora via NAGDU wrote:
>> I taught my dog how to find dropped items, by putting his paw on or
>> near the object. Here's the outline of how I taught this, using the
>> clicker.
>>
>> 1: Start with one object (I think I used an index card or some kind of
>> paper/cardboard). Hold it in your hand, show it to the dog, and click
>> and treat when the dog paws it. My dog tried nosing the object,
>> mouthing it, and barking in frustration before he finally got it.
>> 2: Once your dog paws the object reliably, put the command to it, (I
>> used "get it"). Make sure the dog reliably paws the object when you
>> give the command.
>> 3: Drop the object right in front of the dog from just a few inches
>> off the ground. Tell the dog "get it", and click and treat for pawing
>> the object.
>> 4: Drop the object from higher off the ground, but still in front of the
>> dog.
>> 5: start dropping the object progressively further away from the dog.
>> 6: Temporarily pair the "get it" and "stay" commands. This way, the
>> dog will paw the object and then stay there until you come over to
>> pick it up. Release the dog from the stay only after you pick up the
>> object. Eventually, you can drop "stay" and just say "get it".
>> 7: Start practicing  with a variety of different items.
>>
>> **In the initial stages, make sure to use something that is easy to
>> hear when your dog's paw makes contact with it.
>>
>> Danielle and Thai
>>
>>
>> On 5/22/17, Rachel Grider via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> Hello, All:
>>>
>>> Awhile ago, there was a discussion about teaching dogs to fetch, and
>>> someone  on this list (I don't remember who) talked about teaching a
>>> guide dog how to find dropped items--not necessarily how to pick them
>>> up, but just to find them by touching the item. I would like to learn
>>> more about training my guide dog to do that. Does anyone have
>>> information about this?
>>>
>>> Thank you!
>>>
>>> Rachel
>>>
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>
>
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