Food Dummy / Retrieval Dummy
🟡 Useful depending on the training goal
A food dummy is a practical training tool for teaching your dog to retrieve in a playful way while also strengthening the cooperation between you.
The dummy is filled with food or treats. Your dog learns to search for it, pick it up and bring it back to you – and then receives the actual reward together with you from inside the pouch.
This makes it particularly useful for dogs that haven’t yet understood why they should bring an object back in the first place.
Not Just for Retrieving
Even if you later prefer working with a ball, toy or other objects, a food dummy can be very helpful when you’re first getting started.
Afterwards, you can continue using it for search games, small enrichment activities or as a special reward during recall training.
It’s also an easy way to incorporate a small task into your walks without having to carry lots of additional training equipment.
What I Look For When Buying One
I would look for a pouch made from a robust material that is easy to clean.
I particularly like models where the zip is additionally protected by a Velcro or fabric cover. This makes it a little harder for the dog to get to the contents on their own and also gives the fastening some extra protection during play and carrying.
The size and weight should of course suit your dog as well. A small dog doesn’t need a huge dummy – and a large, strong dog shouldn’t have to work with a tiny pouch.