Can Bull Terriers drop toys?
Thursday 17 December 2015 at 10:49 am. Used tags: drop, leave
I met a new client the other week with a fabulous Bull Terrier who found it very hard to drop on command. So this week we started to work on this using our normal method of getting the dog to leave treats on the floor & gradually building it up to leaving toys, followed by dropping toys.
The training was going really well for the clients & Eddie, until he decided to take his toy to his basket to lie down for a good chew!
Now as a trainer, I'm very aware that some dogs can be very territorial regarding their sleeping quarters, such as their crate or basket , so I did my due diligence & checked with the owners if Eddie had ever snapped at anybody when in his basket - a pertinent question as Bull Terriers have very powerful jaws........ & a lot of teeth!
However, they assured me that wasn’t an issue with Eddie, who was a sweetheart & though he obviously didn't want to give up his toy - the teeth chattering gave that away - with just a little encouragement he released the toy & got a huge amount of praise & fuss.
Within a few minutes Eddie soon realised that the quicker he gave up the toy, the quicker he got it back & was left to chew contentedly for a while. In true Bull Terrier style, he quickly started dropping the toy, wagging & smiling when he was asked to leave, the whole process had just become one big game to him!
Ever had an issue with getting your dog to drop an item? More importantly, how did you overcome it? ;~}
six comments
Mason will fetch a toy and bring it back if I say thank-you he will give me it. We play this game a few times a day with different items. Only today he decided to run a FB with his lead and not give it back tho, so most of the time it works but there is that 5% it will go wrong…..
Jo Robertson - 16-05-’16 17:06
Be fair Jo, Mason is a Bull Terrier! 😜
I’m currently training a Beagle/Pinscher & I know from experience that Beagles, like Bull Terriers, very much have a mind of their own. He initially struggled with the “leave” as its one of the toughest commands to learn for a dog who really want to keep hold of that toy in its mouth. It’s just about incentivising the behaviour that you want & you seem to be doing a pretty good job. 👍
Thanks for posting.
Steve - 19-05-’16 16:21
Thanks steve, I think I’m gonna have to give you a call for a home visit so you can see Mason on his own ground and how he behaves. I really could do with some help in recall, as all he wants to do is run off to play with other dogs, plus he knows I’m going to put him on the lead so now he thinks it’s a game. ( catch me if you can! ) he is 7 months now, I walk him every day to woods/park and would love to let him off the lead but I’m too unsure if he will come back when called. He does what my partner tells him but plays up with me. This is the first time I have had a male dog. I will be in touch with in next week. Thanks jo
Jo Robertson - 23-05-’16 21:50
Pretty good post. I have just stumbled upon your blog and enjoyed reading your blog posts very much. I am looking for new posts to get more precious info. Big thanks for the useful info. GTA 6
mudasir - 28-02-’23 07:38
This is what my dog Mason would. Do. He is an English bull terrier as well. I see him watching us all the time, working out how to do something.
Jo Robertson - 16-05-’16 17:02