Young dogs in the excitement of a retrieve may start to roll or mouth bumpers. What causes this? Is it a force fetch issue, a nervous, high drive dog or the result of too much pressure (actual or perceived). I've come to the conclusion it is a quickly acquired habit which can be difficult to deal with because the dog is not being responsive. Responsiveness must be a two way street, and some dogs do not have an established understanding of this concept. One approach is to deal directly with a lack of responsiveness using a “Focusing Drill”.

Working in the yard, the “mouthy” dog is “amped” up with some fun bumpers. Then on a front sit wearing a choker collar and leash, the dog is asked for eye contact. Concentrate on getting good, extended eye contact before having the dog fetch a bumper out of your hand. Don't give him the bumper until he is literally staring at you.

When the dog moves the bumper in any way say.....Sit - "chuck him with a quick snap of the choker collar up under the chin" - Sit......all the while asking for eye contact........pay attention.........look. When he focuses on you the mouth generally changes.

The use of “no” can create problems at first because the dog will not know exactly what he is doing wrong. So delay the use of “no” until the dog absolutely understands. This can be a tough call, but it is worth the wait.

Also, ask for eye contact before giving the “drop” command. Give the dog time and wait him out. When he drops the bumper in your hand, hide it behind your back and again demand eye contact. Repeat for effect, go slow and quit when there is any improvement. One key to this drill is the dog must be able to complete the delivery with a drop command. It is not his forever. 

Do this every day for awhile (and five minutes is too long). It is all good if this is perceived as a game. The dog will begin to understand the reason you are "chucking" him because eye contact makes him more responsive to your expectations. When this happens the dog has started to develop a deeper understanding of being responsive. He learns a new focus. Teaching is now going on and communication is improved.  Move on to birds only after the new "expectation" is well ingrained.

Several things happen here with daily repetition 1) the dog becomes more responsive and aware of you with regard to handling a bumper, 2) the correct response to an indirect pressure on sit with regards to the bumper is established, 3) while enhances the dog’s responsiveness, the trainer becomes more responsive and 4) a quiet mouth appears. It takes two to communicate (and be responsive). This drill is not just about the dog.

Watch the dog in training and expect responsiveness when delivering a bumper or bird using the same cues and routine (even if you have to wait a bit). Give the dog time to gather his mind. When the dog is focused on you and there is a meaningful “conversation”, expectations are clear and corrections will register.

In every training situation, there has to be an open channel of communication. If a dog’s responsiveness is weak (no two way exchange format), teaching becomes a major chore.