sorry but you're doing it bass-ackwards. there's no such command as hold you're confusing the dogs. you say whatever command you're going to say when you're going to send your dog for the retrieve which is generally fetch. thus the dog knows that fetch means put whatever it is in your mouth and hold it until I asked you to give it to me. the transition is much smoother but what do I know?
sorry but you're doing it bass-ackwards. there's no such command as hold you're confusing the dogs. you say whatever command you're going to say when you're going to send your dog for the retrieve which is generally fetch. thus the dog knows that fetch means put whatever it is in your mouth and hold it until I asked you to give it to me. the transition is much smoother but what do I know?
Do you have a video?