1.Teach your dog to carry nonessential letters and junk mail without stopping to shred them before you use the real thing. ("The dog ate the mortgage bill" probably won't go over well with your spouse.) Do this by clicking and treating your dog for taking the letter or newspaper and holding it without mouthing it.
2.Take a step or two away and have her/him bring it to you. Click and treat the motion of moving toward you.
3.Put the letter on the floor and tell your dog to Take It. You may want to use junk mail on this part until your dog refines her/his techniques in picking up something so close to the floor.
4.When your dog is retrieving with finesse, begin to work her with the real mail pile or newspaper.
5.Label this behavior Mail or Paper by saying this new cue right before the current cue Take It; pretty soon your dog will be fetching with enthusiasm and finesse.
6.Well done, you've taught your dog to get the mail/newspaper!
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