How to Cure Hard Mouth on Retrievers

Accepting the Dummy

• 1

  Grasp the retriever's muzzle at the indentation in the gum just behind the upper canine teeth with the left hand. Place the dummy against the front of the dog's mouth with the right-hand. Pull forward with the left hand, while pushing the dummy down and inward on the dog's jaw with the right-hand. Roll the dummy in over the lower canine teeth and give the dog a "hold" command.

• 2

  Praise the dog when it has relaxed and accepted the situation, not attempting to spit the dummy out. Take the dummy out of the dog's mouth while simultaneously using the "leave it" command.

• 3

  Take the dog a few steps forward and repeat until the dog regularly accepts the dummy without rolling it or chewing on it.

Holding the Dummy While Sitting

• 4

  Support the dog's jaw with one hand and praise the dog while rubbing its ears with the other hand for about 5 seconds while the dog is holding the dummy. Take hold of the dummy and give the dog the "release it" command while rolling the dummy out of the dog's mouth.

• 5

  Remove your hand from beneath the dog's jaw after 5 seconds. If the dog's head begins to drop or the grip on the dummy begins to slacken, firmly place your hand back under the jaw while giving the "hold" command.

• 6

  Increase the dog's responsibility by allowing the dog to drop the dummy after your hand is removed from underneath its chin. Immediately chuck the dog gently under the chin with your right-hand while saying "no". Put the dummy back into the dog's mouth immediately and give the "hold" command.

• 7

  Increase the dog's responsibility further by walking around the dog while it is holding the dummy while the dog is sitting. Tap the dog on various parts of its body and the dummy with a 30 to 40-inch stick to reinforce the idea that it must concentrate on holding the dummy.

Moving While Holding

• 8

  Put the dummy into the dog's mouth as before.

• 9

  Place one hand under the dog's chin while pulling the dog forward a few steps by its lead, at the same time giving the "hold" command. Have the dog sit and release the dummy.

• 10

  Increase the distance that the dog moves while holding the dummy in its mouth, until the dog can go over obstacles, trot or even lope without dropping the dummy.

The Fetch Command

• 11

  Put the dummy in the dog's mouth as before, but this time say "fetch" as you are putting the dummy in the dog's mouth.

• 12

  Allow the dog to get a good grip on the dummy and hold it for a second or two.

• 13

  Take the dummy from the dog's mouth while saying "leave it".

• 14

  Repeat sufficient times to ensure that the dog understands that "fetch" means, "the dummy goes in your mouth."

Reaching the Dummy

• 15

  Slip the last three fingers of your left-hand under the collar toward the dog's head and roll your fingers around the collar.

• 16

  Position the dog's ear between the thumb and forefinger of your left-hand, with the ear facing up.

• 17

  Hold the dummy against the dog's lips with the right-hand and say "fetch" while pinching the dog's ear with the thumbnail of the left-hand. When the dog opens its mouth, roll the dummy in and release the pressure on the dog's ear, praising the dog. Repeat this step until the dog understands that "fetch", now means "get that dummy in your mouth".

• 18

  Say "fetch" while pinching the dog's ear as before while holding the dummy in the right-hand slightly in front of the dog's mouth. Do not put the dummy in the dog's mouth.

• 19

  Move the dog's head forward using the grip on the collar with your left-hand. When the dog opens its mouth and takes the dummy, release the pressure on the ear and praise the dog again. Repeat until the dog understands that the "fetch" command now means,"reach forward and take the dummy". Progressively move the dummy closer to the ground, so that the dog understands that the "fetch" command means, "pick up the dummy off the ground". As soon as the dog has the dummy in its mouth, lift up the dog's head to ensure that the dog will fetch a bird and pick up its head without trying to play with a bird or chew on it.

Stick Fetching

• 20

  Toss the dummy about 3 feet in front of the dog.

• 21

  Use the ear pinch technique and say "fetch" again, this time tapping the dog on the hind quarter with a 30 to 40-inch stick.

• 22

  Hold the pressure on the ear and keep pace with the dog until it picks up the dummy.

• 23

  Repeat until the dog will fetch the dummy without either pinching the air or tapping it on hindquarters.