06/06/2026
BUILDING RETRIEVE DRIVE AT HOME 🐾
When puppy owners pick up their new retriever, we encourage them to focus on two things:
Teaching respectful behaviors.
Building retrieve drive.
The obedience can come later.
Our goal isn’t just teaching a puppy to retrieve. It’s teaching them to WANT to retrieve.
Use a long lead to help create success.
When they bring it back, celebrate. Get down at their level, pet them, praise them, and let them enjoy the moment.
Don’t immediately take the object away. They worked hard for it.
Keep sessions short and always leave them wanting one more retrieve.
A simple guideline: age in months = maximum retrieves per session.
If retrieve drive slows down between 4–6 months of age, teething may be the reason.
One of the most important things to remember:
The last retrieve is often the most important retrieve.
If the last thing they remember is, “That was fun!” they’ll be excited to do it again.
Leave them wanting one more retrieve. 🐾
