Force fetch is a crucial training technique in the world of retrievers, helping to instill discipline and resilience in dogs. This method is essential for any dog handler who aims to develop a well-rounded and obedient retriever, capable of handling various challenges in both training scenarios and real-world hunting situations. In this article, we will delve into what force fetch is, why it is important, and the step-by-step process to implement it effectively.

Force fetch, also known as “force breaking” or “trained retrieve,” can be understood in two key aspects:

Part One: The Common Understanding

The first part of force fetch is what most people envision: training a dog to retrieve an object, such as a bird or bumper, and deliver it directly to the handler’s hand. This involves the dog leaving the handler’s side, picking up the object, and returning promptly without dropping, playing, or shaking off water. The goal is a seamless retrieve where the dog understands the task, and performs it efficiently and consistently.

Part Two: The Deeper Purpose

The second, and arguably more important, aspect of force fetch is teaching the dog to cope with pressure. This includes understanding and responding to pressure, learning how to turn it off, and overcoming difficulties. This process builds a resilient, confident dog with the ability to tackle more advanced training tasks. It equips dogs with the mental tools to push through challenging situations, be it in a hunt test or out in the field during a real hunt.

Why is Force Fetch Important?

Force fetch lays the foundation for a dog’s advanced training and overall behavior. It teaches problem-solving skills and how to deal with adversity. Here’s why it’s essential:

• Resilience: Dogs learn to work through discomfort and pressure, becoming more resilient.
• Consistency: It ensures reliable performance in retrieves, crucial for hunting and competition.
• Foundation for Advanced Training: Skills learned during force fetch are foundational for more complex training, such as pile work, T-patterns, and blind retrieves.
• Mental Discipline: Dogs develop a higher threshold for pressure, making them eager and willing to perform tasks even when conditions are less than ideal.

The Force Fetch Process: A High-Level Overview

Force fetch involves a series of steps that gradually teach the dog to understand and respond to commands and pressure. Here’s a high-level look at the process:

Step 1: Hold

The initial step in force fetch is teaching the dog to hold an object in its mouth calmly. This can be done on a table or the ground. The handler starts by placing their fingers or a soft object, like a paint roller, in the dog’s mouth, encouraging the dog to hold it without chewing or spitting it out. This stage focuses on the dog relaxing and accepting the object.

Step 2: Introduction to Pressure

Next, the dog is introduced to slight discomfort through the ear pinch or toe hitch methods. The handler applies pressure to the dog’s ear or toe, while simultaneously introducing a bumper into the dog’s mouth. When the dog takes the bumper, the pressure is released. This teaches the dog that holding the object turns off the pressure.

Step 3: Fetch Command

Once the dog understands holding, the fetch command is introduced. The dog learns to reach for the object to relieve the pressure. Initially, the handler places the object in the dog’s mouth, but eventually, the dog will begin to reach for it proactively.

Step 4: Movement and Retrieval

The training progresses to having the dog move to fetch the object. This can be done on a table or the ground, with the dog learning to pick up objects placed at increasing distances. The dog is also taught to deliver the object to the handler’s hand, reinforcing the complete retrieve process.

Step 5: E-Collar Conditioning

To reinforce the training, an e-collar is introduced, providing a consistent form of pressure that the dog can learn to respond to. The collar is used alongside the ear or toe pressure initially, and then gradually, the dog learns to respond to the e-collar alone.

Step 6: Force to Pile

The final stages involve force to pile exercises, where the dog retrieves objects from a distance, reinforcing the fetch command under varying conditions and distances. This step transitions the dog to more complex tasks and sets the stage for advanced training.

How can I learn more about Force Fetch?

There’s lots of available resources online. To see a step-by-step guide, check out the How To Teach Force Fetch course that walks a handler through the process, step-by-step, and using varying breeds of dogs.

Bob Owens is a profession gun dog trainer, owner of Lone Duck Kennels, and host of Lone Duck’s Gun Dog Chronicles. He resides in New York, where he runs AKC hunt tests and field trials in the summer, and travels to South Carolina in the winter.