Force Fetch, Which way is easier/better
- Two Bears
- Rank: Senior Hunter
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- Location: Southern Minnesota
Force Fetch, Which way is easier/better
Is the ear pinch easier to train FF to the dog? OR is the toe pinch?
HAVING A LIBERAL ALONG IS LIKE LOSING TWO GOOD MEN
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Re: Force Fetch, Which way is easier/better
For effectiveness, they are all about the same.
For efficiency, if this is your first dog to FF go with the ear pinch. Less stuff to mess around with, and you always have the "tools" with you for an impromptu refresher course.
The toe hitch was designed for the pro who's doing a dozen dogs at a crack. Most of the toe hitch guys eventually transfer the dog to the ear pinch anyway.
The one method I would strongly discourage the newbie trainer from using is the e-collar; much too easy to over-do it and really screw the dog up.
JMO,
Dave
For efficiency, if this is your first dog to FF go with the ear pinch. Less stuff to mess around with, and you always have the "tools" with you for an impromptu refresher course.
The toe hitch was designed for the pro who's doing a dozen dogs at a crack. Most of the toe hitch guys eventually transfer the dog to the ear pinch anyway.
The one method I would strongly discourage the newbie trainer from using is the e-collar; much too easy to over-do it and really screw the dog up.
JMO,
Dave
- Two Bears
- Rank: Senior Hunter
- Posts: 106
- Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2008 10:35 am
- Location: Southern Minnesota
Re: Force Fetch, Which way is easier/better
I started with the ear pinch but just saw the Hickock video and he showed in detail how to do the toe hitch.
The ear pinch is working fine so I will stick with it, was just curious if one was better than the other.
The ear pinch is working fine so I will stick with it, was just curious if one was better than the other.
HAVING A LIBERAL ALONG IS LIKE LOSING TWO GOOD MEN
- gonehuntin'
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Re: Force Fetch, Which way is easier/better
The ear pinch is the only way to go. The toe hitch is cumbersom and hard to reinforce in the field. You can always just grab an ear if you get a refusal.
LIFE WITHOUT BIRD DOGS AND FLY RODS REALLY ISN'T LIFE AT ALL.
Re: Force Fetch, Which way is easier/better
I mainly used the ear pinch with my dog.
But I found that when it came time for him to reach forward to grab the buck, the toe hitch worked better for us and I got almost immediate compliance as he reached towards the foot had the string attached.
I really only had to give him a few toe pinches before he got the idea about moving forward and we went back to the ear pinch.
Good luck with the process.
But I found that when it came time for him to reach forward to grab the buck, the toe hitch worked better for us and I got almost immediate compliance as he reached towards the foot had the string attached.
I really only had to give him a few toe pinches before he got the idea about moving forward and we went back to the ear pinch.
Good luck with the process.