# US 5,706,762 A · Retrieving device for training dogs

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- Number: US 5,706,762 A
- Document ID: US5706762A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/576,633
- Filed: 1995-12-21
- Granted: 1998-01-13
- Earliest claimed: 1995-12-21
- Inventors: Thomas Dokken
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5706762A

## CPC

- A01K 15/025: {Toys specially adapted for animals}
- A01K 15/02: Training or exercising equipment, e.g. mazes or labyrinths for animals (A01K15/04 takes precedence) {; Electric shock devices; Toys specially adapted for animals}
- Y10S 119/905: Breaking or training method
- A01K: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A training device in the form of a retrieving dummy having a life-like appearance and texture. The device is durable in the course of repeated, rigorous, and demanding use, and is configured to encourage and train the dog to grasp the device in the proper manner, i.e., by the body portion and away from the head, feet or tail of the bird.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for training retrieving dogs, the device comprising:
(a) a unitary body portion formed of a durable, self-healing material and having a head region and an opposite, tail region, the body portion comprising a conduit traversing a generally central longitudinal axis, the length and circumference of the body portion being dimensioned to be releasably grasped within the mouth of a retrieving dog;
(b) a rigid head portion made of a different material than said body portion and attached to the head region of the body portion and configured to provide the appearance of a waterfowl head and to discourage a dog from biting said rigid head portion, and optionally;
(c) feet and tail portions attached to the tail region of the body portion and configured to deter the dog from grasping the device at or near the tail region of the body portion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A device according to claim 1 further comprising a rope traversing the central conduit, the rope being of sufficient length to exit the conduit at the head region and serve as head attachment means, and to exit the conduit at the tail region and serve as handle means.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A device according to claim 1 wherein the body portion is formed of a durable, moldable foamed polyurethane material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

A device according to claim 3 wherein the polyurethane material provides an integral skin system.

### Claim 5

A method of training a dog comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a training device comprising
(i) a unitary body portion formed of a durable, self-healing material and having a head region and an opposite tail region, the body portion having a conduit traversing a generally central longitudinal axis, the length and circumference of the body portion being dimensioned to be releasably grasped within the mouth of a retrieving dog;
(ii) a rigid head portion made of a different material than said body portion and attached to the head region of the body portion and configured to provide the appearance of a waterfowl head and to discourage a dog from biting said rigid head portion, and;
(iii) feet and tail portions attached to the tail region of the body portion and configured to deter the dog from grasping the device at or near the tail region of the body portion; and
(b) throwing the device to be retrieved by the dog.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A method according to claim 5 further wherein the device further comprises a rope traversing the central conduit, the rope being of sufficient length to exit the conduit at the head region and serve as head attachment means, and to exit the conduit at the tail region and serve as handle means.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

A method according to claim 5 wherein the body portion is formed of a durable, moldable foamed polyurethane material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

A method according to claim 7 wherein the polyurethane material provides an integral skin system.

### Claim 9

A method of making a device for training retrieving dogs comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a unitary body portion formed of a durable, self-healing material and having a head region and an opposite tail region, the body portion having a conduit traversing a generally central longitudinal axis, the length and circumference of the body portion being dimensioned to be releasably grasped within the mouth of a retrieving dog,
(b) attaching a rigid head portion made of a different material than said body portion to the body portion and configured to provide the appearance of a waterfowl head and to discourage a dog from biting said rigid head portion, and,
(c) attaching feet and tail portions to the body portion and configured to deter the dog from grasping the device at or near the tail region of the body portion.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

A method according to claim 9 wherein the device further comprises a rope traversing the central conduit, the rope being of sufficient length to exit the conduit at the head region and serve as head attachment means, and to exit the conduit at the tail region and serve as handle means.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

A method according to claim 9 wherein the body portion is formed of a durable, moldable foamed polyurethane material.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

A method according to claim 11 wherein the polyurethane material provides an integral skin system.