Dummy training - Apport in the forest

Let your dog play in the forest with "dummy training"! Your four-legged friend can achieve different levels of difficulty, which strengthens your bond.

Dummy training in the forest strengthens utilisation and bonding

Dummy training is a dog sport in which a hidden or thrown dummy is retrieved by the dog. It was originally developed in the UK to train hunting dogs, but is now also used as a dog sport for exercising and encouraging leisure and family dogs.

There are many ways to play with your dog in the forest. One option is the “Dummy training”. A dummy (a toy that looks like a dummy or a bird or a rabbit) is hidden and your dog has to find and retrieve it „Apport - Bring“. This teaches your dog two things at once. There are different levels of difficulty, from easy to advanced.

This dummy activity is a great way to keep your dog busy in the woods, exercising and improving their skills at the same time. It also promotes bonding with your dog. Controlling your hunting dog becomes easier as it is more exciting for you than picking up a scent from an animal.

Utilisation through retrieving

Would you like to teach your dog to fetch?

This is a great way to keep your dog mentally and physically challenged. Here are five simple steps to teach your dog to fetch:

MotivateFind a suitable object that is easy to carry and feels comfortable for your dog. A lead can be helpful to stop your dog from running off with the object.
Exercise with the food dummyFill the dummy with a tasty morsel and throw it a short distance away. Ask your dog to retrieve the dummy. Reward him when he retrieves the dummy.
Exercise with the throwing dummyWhen your dog retrieves the food dummy successfully, you can switch to a throwing dummy. Repeat the exercise until your dog successfully retrieves the throwing dummy.
DistancingWhen your dog retrieves the dummy successfully, you can increase the distance between you and your dog. Repeat the exercise until your dog successfully retrieves the dummy from a greater distance.
ThrowingIf your dog successfully retrieves the dummy from a greater distance, you can throw the dummy and ask your dog to retrieve it.

The word “retrieve” comes from the Latin “apportare” and means “to bring”. Hunters use it to describe the bringing of prey. Your dog can learn to bring you all kinds of objects. Sticks, frisbees, dummies, food bags and other things are possible

Have fun practising and playing!