//but actualy getting her to retrieve is a problem.//
i understand that. I looked over the steps i the trick, and i taught that retrieve part FIRST. I used the steps in Kikopups "Flag Trick" to advance along to a beer can in a coozie (a coozie is foam rubber thing on the can).
First i started with toys Buddy likes in his mouth, rewarded that. (we are not even by the fridge at all yet, i taught that part last)
then i get Buddy to take into his mouth, toy he loves----c/t!
toy he loves---c/t
empty coozie---c/t
toy he loves---c/t
and so on.
then, i had Buddy take a few steps with the empty coozie in his mouth.
then, i trained Buddy he can NOT release the empty coozie until we take it and say "thank you"
THEN, once i was sure Buddy will NOT drop the empty coozie til we grab it away and say "thank you"---------- -THEN i put a beer can into the coozie.
(since i was using beer cans, i did NOT want him dropping it on his own feet)
then, after Buddy had mastered
~picking up a coozie,
~walking with it in his mouth,
~and giving it to us,
-------------------THEN we began working on Buddy taking the coozie off of a shelf in the fridge.
THEN finally--------- i taught him to open door, and get the beer.
i taught it all in reverse.