Dummy training comesoriginally from the hunting field and is based on retrieving shot game. Today, however, many owners of leisure and family dogstheseType of dog sport and dog activity.
Everything you need to know about dog dummy training and how to get started with your dog is revealed in this blog post!
What are the benefits of dummy training?
Dummy training is a species-appropriate way to keep your dog busy and work on dog training and the dog-human relationship at the same time.
BasicallyDummy training builds on the dog's instincts:Play instinct, hunting instinct, desire to chase, track down and bring things back. This dog sport thus forms its own facet of retrieving with the dog.
Dummy training is a good idea for various dogs. Insecure dogscan thusmore self-confidence in their abilities and Trust in their people develop while Dogs with a pronounced hunting instinct can live it out in this way and at the same time learn to respond to commands anyway - so you can work on controlling your dog's hunting instinct. Fordogs without obvious behavioral issues dummy training can simply bea great and fun mental and physical workout.
What is a dummy for dogs?
A dummy for dogs is a special form of dog toy used as a retrieving object in dog sports or dog training.
Basically, a distinction is made betweentwo types of dummies distinguished:
An elongated, sausage-shaped dummy with filling. This type of dummycomes in many different versionsn. You can different hard fillingshavecovered with different materials and differ in design, such as the Number of hand loops for easier throwing.
Or the so-calledFeeding dummy: This is a elongated pouch with zipper and often additional Velcro closure, which can be filled with lining. Here, too, there aredifferent versions with and without a hand loop for throwing.
In addition, there areeven more special dummies, such asDummies that are modeled on lifelike game and are used specifically in hunting training orDummies that are buoyant for retrieving work/play in or near water.
Attention: A dummy is not a tug toy, even if the temptation is great, especially with models with two hand scoops. Dummies should be searched for and retrieved by the dog.
Which dummy for which dog?
To choose the right dummy for your dog, you shouldthink carefully about what you want to do with the dummy and where it will be used. We'll tell you what you should look out for when choosing the right dummy for your dog:
1. size and weight of the dummy
The most important factors when choosing a dummy are the size and weight of the dummy.
Bothshould be chosen so that your dog can pick up the dummy comfortably and safely and bring it to you. Small dummies such as ourBringsel - Cotton, XSshould therefore be used, especially forpuppies and small dogs. However,such a small dummy canalsobe useful as an indicator for larger dogsand present a challenge, as it is particularly easy to hide.
2. material of the dummy
Are you not made of sugar and don't mind doing dummy training with your dog in the rain or muddy fall and winter? Then you should definitely choose a dummy made of the right material. Whiledummies made of juteorcottonsoak up water more easily,dummies made of materials such asfire hoseor polyester-nylon blends can withstand any bad weather.
Leather dummiesare also resistant, but it is important to handle and care for them correctlyso that they do not become porous or hard.
3. buoyancy of the dummy
Do you want your dog to be able to cool off during training, especially in summer? Then make sure when buying your dummy that it is awater dummyor afloatable dummy. With these dummies,not only is the filling buoyant, but the outer material is also selected to be robust enough to withstand the additional stress of water and moisture.
Thecoloris alsorelevanthere: Floatable dummies such as ourdog toy dummyareeasy to see in the water thanks to their bright pink color, while dummies such as ourdog toy Soft Bringsel Min green-yellowcan pose a greater challenge, especially in muddy lakes and rivers.
4. color of the dummy
As already mentioned, the color of a dummy can also be a decision criterion. Whilecolorful dummiesare easier for you and your dog to see,dummies that are deliberatelychoseninearth tonescantake your dummy work to the next leveland encourage the dogto use its nose more.
Once you and your dog have tasted blood and enjoyed dummy training, sooner or later many different dummies will move in anyway, so that the training always remains interesting through variety in the type and number of dummies.
Dummy training step by step
If your dog is generally interested in toys and already brings back other toys, you can actually start dummy work immediately after your new dummy arrives. If you want to build up the Dummy work consciously and methodically, we will tell you the most important steps here:
Basically, you build up the dummy work in three steps: Mark, Search, Instruct.
1. Marking
Marking is when your dog focuses on the dummy.
For controlled retrieving work, it is important to build up this exercise in a controlled manner. So put your dog down, secure him with a drag line if necessary. with a drag line, arouse his interest in the treat and throw it into the search area in a high, clearly visible arc when he is looking. Then let him run off on a command of your choice, search for the dummy and bring it back.
2. Search
If the search area is particularly difficult to see (in this case, be sure to check it for risk of injury beforehand!), your dog may not be able to follow and find the dummy directly, but may have to search consciously. Many dogs particularly enjoy this searching and rummaging and You can particularly encourage this by using better camouflaged dummies. Here, additional support and motivation of the dog with search commands and encouragement can be usefuladditional support and motivation of the dog with search commands and encouragementandpromote your teamwork and bonding.
3. Instruct
Has yourDog has problems finding the dummy despite motivated search, it may be useful to actively support the Actively support the dog with hints and guide it to the target. By Hand signals or other directional signals you can gradually guide your dog onto the right trackand thus ensure that you have a shared sense of achievement.
How does the dog bring the dummy back?
Many dogs like to bring objects back.If your dog already offers the desired behavior voluntarily, it makes sense to reward and reinforce this right from the start, for example with treats.
If your dog finds it difficult to bring a dummy or other toy back to you, it can be helpful touse a drag line. You can use this tobring your dog directly to youso that he does not drop the dummy beforehand. When he arrives with the dummy, you should reward him generously. You can then gradually reduce the influence of the drag line.
If your dog shows no intention of returning a dummy, but prefers to run off with his prey, you can tryworking with a food dummy.First show your dog away from retrieving that the bag is filled with treats and that he can only get them with your help.It can be helpful here to let the dog eat the reward directly from the bag to strengthen the connection.
Caution:If you then let your dog retrieve the food dummy, you must make absolutely sure that he does not break it and thus gets the food and rewards himself if he runs off with the dummy and does not bring it back. You can also "secure" the food dummy with a drag line at the beginning to ensure that the reward is only given to you!
Which dummy training commands?
If you are simply using dummy training as a fun exercise for your dog, it doesn't really matter exactly which commands you use.As with any exercise, it is important that you remain consistent in your commands once you have introduced themand that they are not already used for other tricks and exercises or are very similar to other commands.Popular commands for retrieving during dummy training include "Apport!", "Bring" or "Fetch".
Practicing directional commands such as right, left, back, stop or ahead/forwardcan be particularly useful as part of training. This can be doneeither during the dummy search or in separate, preparatory training sessions.
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