Dumbbell Training

Yesterday was a rainy cold day so we started some dumbbell training with Mr. Moto. I use the Platt's method of introduction as I like it best: open dog's mouth, insert dumbbell, hold mouth closed, stroke dog and gently say "good hold" for a few seconds, say "out" take out dumbbell and quickly treat. I feel this teaches the dog it's not a toy, instills the importance ot taking the dumbbell, and is far more kind than the ear pinch for introduction. Well Moto didn't like it much and bit down HARD on the wooden bar. Today I'll use a plastic dumbbell. Yesterday we did the dumbbell about five times, each time he didn't want to take it. He's a smart little guy and I'm hoping he'll learn to take it for a treat in short order.
Meantime I'm brushing up Shiloh in Utility since he needs the mental stimulation. It's paying off big-time in that he's much less restless in the home and he realizes he "gets" to work with me so his attitude is really drivey. Shiloh always was a good worker and fun to train but he's getting far more pleasure out of being with me than previous.
And Blitz of course is beside himself and keeping him calm while working is the biggest order of the day. I keep he and Moto's training very brief: Moto because he's still a baby dog and Blitz as i don't want to stress him. Don't know if that can cause him to have a setback with his disease. Yesterday when I came home from work (Blitz had trained briefly that morning) he had a sneezing fit, and bled lightly from the tip of his nose.
On Sunday Moto will have his second tracking lesson. This is the venue where he is showing greatest promise so far. If all goes as planned we can certify him in a few months as he is picking it up in leaps and bounds!