Gun Dog Forum

when I first started teaching fetch to my GSP I was using a plastic dummy. I'd keep the number of retrieves low per session ( no more than 4). I would get a retrieve back to hand almost everytime. last week I used a dead bird for a session and got the same results (actually better results, she LOVES birds). now the problem, last night I threw the dummy and she could have cared less about it. I got her excited with it, teased her then tossed it. she walked up to it, smelt it then just walked off. tried this about 3 times with no retrieve. I grabbed a bird out of the freezer tossed it and she picked it up and brought it right back to me.

Quetsion: is it ok to use only birds when working on retrieving? should i try and get her to use the dummy as well?

P.S. she's only 6months old so I'm not even thinking about FF yet.

If she is more interested in birds that's great ! having no interest in dummy's is cause she has been shown something even better to put in her mouth and bring back to daddy just keep doing what your doing and have fun with it, don't put any pressure on her retrieve until she is older and if problems arrive with the retrieve.

I would not over do the birds...The more familiar she gets with them might just cause problems..A couple of throws once a week or so is good...Let off all retrieving for awhile then bring yur dummy back out.

How many dummys will you shoot in a hunting season?

Don't give her birds only or you'll have to force her on dummies. Make dummies fun; if you use her for waterfowl it's how a lot of your training will be done.

Very few dogs like picking up bumpers after they've been exposed to birds.

How old is she? Is she force fetched?

EvanG

EvanG wrote:How old is she? Is she force fetched?

EvanG

Read the first post and your questions will be answered.

Ezzy

I would recommend not using birds too much. If you do too much retrieving with birds, when it comes time the dog is introduced to live planted birds he may want to pick them up verses pointing them. Put the dummy away for a few days and then bring it back out. If he is not bringing it back to you try walking away from him to get him to come to you. I know this sounds backwards but sometimes it works. A young dog usually thinks it is funner to keep whatever you want away from you.

Dont forget lots of PRAISE WHEN NONE RIGHT!!!!! this is the most inportant part THEY WANT TOO PLEASE YOU .....then FF when shes 8months or so WITH LOTS OF PRAISE you will be a head of game.The guy who taught me said you make the bitter vary bitter an pleasent vary pleasent EVERY TIME NO MATTER WHAT an if you do that its less bitter (when u FF)...Lots of older trainers start doing this stuff yary earlier prior to FF so when its time the only thing they have deal with is the force part because they already no what is exspected.. good luck!!!

ezzy333 wrote:

EvanG wrote:How old is she? Is she force fetched?

EvanG

Read the first post and your questions will be answered.

Ezzy

Sorry. I missed the P.S..

EvanG

EvanG wrote:

ezzy333 wrote:

EvanG wrote:How old is she? Is she force fetched?

EvanG

Read the first post and your questions will be answered.

Ezzy

Sorry. I missed the P.S..

EvanG

Not a problem

Ezzy