Whether with the dumbbell, feed dummy or with a feed ball – retrieving things is a demanding task for dogs. Your dog must not damage the object in question and it is very important that your dog leaves it to you. It must therefore not defend it as his own prey. The human-dog relationship has long been anchored in retrieval: hunting dogs, for example, bring back game that has been shoot, ship dogs bring back nets. Teaching your dog, that he should bring you an object back, is not so difficult if you offer it a fair exchange in the form of treats. All you need is a feed dummy and of course a lot of patience.

A feed dummy is an elongated container made of durable plastic that is fastened with a zip, similar to a pencil case. The retrieval toy is filled as a training device with food such as small dry dog snacks and then used as a dumbbell. The feed dummy has the advantage over a toy like a normal ball or the classic stick that the dog smells the feed content. If the dog has understood that an retrieval process is rewarded with a treat, the snack dummy can be gradually replaced by other retrieval toys.

Even if the XXL feed dummy is probably your Yorkshire terrier’s dream: the retrieval toy should fit the size of the animal, i.e. it should be easy to pick up and carry for your dog with your mouth. You will find models in different sizes and colours here.

Make sure that the feed dummy is made of a robust, easy-to-clean material – the feed dummy will not stay clean for long during the search and retrieval games with your dog. The inside is also heavily used by filling with treats or dry dog food: a hygienic coating is recommended. It is best to have a dog dummy ready as a replacement. For dogs who like swimming, there are even swim-capable snack dummies that the dog can retrieve from the water.

Don’t get into tugging and biting games with your dog when you train for retrieval with the feed dummy. Feed dummies are robust, but not suitable as an object for rough dog games. Your dog loves balls and prefers rolling dog toys? Then a fillable snack ball is a good alternative to the elongated feed dummy. Discover high-quality retrieval toys from renowned manufacturers such as Trixie, Hunter and many more in our online shop.