Holding an area is one of those fun skills I think that all dog owners that are the least bit interested in training their dog should train. It’s most often quite simple to train and you can increase the difficulties in many different ways – which is fun – and as a bonus you’ll get a dog that really pays attention. The dog also gets a chance to use his nose – which most dogs love. If you’re ever planning to enter a field trial, your dog needs to be able to hold an area on cue.
Here follows a film describing a few ways to teach holding an area and a little information on how you can build on this in the early training. For more information, you can watch the film and also read the chapter on Holding an Area in Retrieving for All Occasions. Have fun!
