Pup not wanting to retrieve

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Hambone
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Pup not wanting to retrieve

Post by Hambone » Mon Dec 27, 2010 7:33 pm

I took my Lab out for her first hunt on some pen raised birds. She went after the downed bird, but didn't want to pick up the bird. She only retrieved one of four birds, even after I sent her back over and over. She would run back to the bird, bite at it, but wouldn't pick it up. She has always been eager to retrieve her dummies without a problem. Is this an age issue, or a real problem? She is 8mo., the birds were pheasants.

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EvanG
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Re: Pup not wanting to retrieve

Post by EvanG » Tue Dec 28, 2010 7:26 am

What training has this pup had?

EvanG
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4dabirds
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Re: Pup not wanting to retrieve

Post by 4dabirds » Tue Dec 28, 2010 7:27 am

Specificity , if you want your dog to do something you have to train for it. This sounds like its the dogs first bird experience. Start slow with some pigeons and build the dog up to it. The dog does not know what you want. When you threw the bumper that was the picture your dog saw. You did not throw the pheasant . If you still have problems a good force retrieve program will work wonders.

bhulisa
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Re: Pup not wanting to retrieve

Post by bhulisa » Tue Dec 28, 2010 10:53 am

Perhaps your pup will figure it out if you go through a couple of preparatory steps, below. Some dogs never need these steps, others do. Your dog seems to, so help him by taking smaller steps.

1. Purchase some pheasant wings and fasten them to your bumper, or buy a couple of bumpers with wings already attached, and use these in training. A few sessions with these should be a step toward the real thing.
2. Next, use cold game (dead quail, pigeons, chukars and/or pheasants). The cold game should be just that, not freshly shot, but allowed to go "cold", with little or no blood. It should also not be gamey or off! Tie up the wings on the larger game so that it is a "bundle" that is easy for the do to pick up and carry. If the dog still has an issue with these birds, back up and put the bird in a stocking or sock and tie up any loose ends or cut them off. Let the dog get used to carrying these. Then proceed to the bird tied in a bundle without the stocking.
3. If all is going well at this point, then allow the dog to retrieve cold game in it's normal state, without the wings and body tied up.
4. Advance to freshly shot birds (not shot for him, just thrown).
5. Finally, shoot the birds for him.

At all times during this process, it is best to train in your standard training area. Let the dog go immediately for the retrieve (you don't to confuse him by trying to steady him, the less he has to think about the better). Immediately when the dog has his mouth around the dummy or bird, call him to you. Praise him when he has brought the bird to you, not before.

A couple of things to remember: a) Your dog should have a good recall - you don't want him to successfully pick the game up and then run around or play with it, so he should come when you call, or you should have a checkcord on him. b) Your dog must be well shot conditioned before you shoot birds over him.

If this doesn't sort your problem out, then do as others say and force fetch.

Good luck,
Trudi

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K9luke
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Re: Pup not wanting to retrieve

Post by K9luke » Tue Dec 28, 2010 7:55 pm

I have seen this more than once with young dogs. It is easy to correct but may take a few (sessions) to get it done. Take a bird that the dog won't retrieve during the hunt and tease the dog with it. Then throw it just as you would when training with a dummy. Praise the dog when it does good and correct it when it doesn't. In other words stop the hunt and conduct a training session with the bird it won't retrieve. End on a good note (when the dog does retrieve) and continue the hunt.

Hambone
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Re: Pup not wanting to retrieve

Post by Hambone » Sat Jan 08, 2011 9:36 pm

Well we're heading down to Nebraska for some more pheasants at the end of the month. This time she will get to hunt with some good hunting, older dogs. I think she will pick things up okay, as she learns pretty fast. I'll be prepping her with wings and winged bumpers.

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