When to Force retrieve

Hunting cop · Post by **Hunting cop** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:11 am

Any advice on when to train my Brittany to force retrieve?

birddog1968 · Post by **birddog1968** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 12:21 pm

At least after the first full season, is MHO....

bumper52 · Post by **bumper52** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 10:23 pm

For retrievers, such as I have, it's when they have their adult teeth in and have completed basic obedience. I personally collar condition to "here", as well, before beginning ff. Generally, at 7-9 months is a general time frame.

FOWLMAN · Post by **FOWLMAN** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 9:04 am

Not trying to high jack thread thought I would just add to the topic. thanks!I have a 4 mo. old I'm going to FF... eventually... & I was just messing with the ear pinch to see where & how sensitive he was. Well he must have a high pain tolerance or I'm doing it wrong because it don't bother/hurt him one bit... Any advice?

birddog1968 · Post by **birddog1968** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 10:01 am

I wouldn't mess with the ear pinch too much as a test. There is the whole hold process to go thru,

Take some time and do as much research as you can on the subject.

The pinch shouldn't be like inflicting pain for the sake of seeing the dog hurt, better to think of it as applying
pressure to get the reaction your looking for after the dog knows hold and your holding this bumper in front of my face 2+2=4.......

If the dog is squalling, jumping around or ducking his head showing pain , and you haven't done the front end leg work, whats the dog to think?
The test to see pain could bite ya when you go to do the real FF.....I had one recently who's toe and ear had been worn out by someone trying to
FORCE the dog.....had to use the e collar on that dog and got him done and he never so much as squeeked or whined....best to have a calm patient hand
and be as educated on the process and how you need to hold yourself (temperment wise) and you may enjoy the process. I do.

Another Delmarizim- if the dog is jumping around squallin or dodging and ducking pain, you missed your chance to make the proper association. (or something like that)

FOWLMAN · Post by **FOWLMAN** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 11:23 am

thx. birddog...

Deuce · Post by **Deuce** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 11:39 am

Birddog, is there a specific method you use for hold training? I'm in the process of studying up. Thanks

birddog1968 · Post by **birddog1968** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 11:57 am

I like to use a table personally, gets the dog up eye level with me and i think the dog focuses a little better (for me) up off the ground.

this isn't the most professional video but this is how i start....once they will hold your hand its a quick transition to holding a buck. Some like to use paint rollers.
I've always used hardwood bucks. I also make sure the dogs lips aren't between the buck/hand and teeth. Nice calm praise is good too, you want the dog to be calm
and believe your on his side.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRyoEnmfhx0

This one he kinda speeds thru hold, but you get the idea, it may take two days to get a nice clean hold could take a week. I have also worked on hold sitting on the couch in the evenings, but I like to finish hold on the table or wherever im going to force the dog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agls4vkU ... re=related

myerstenn · Post by **myerstenn** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 2:32 pm

I personally wouldn"t waste my time unless I was confident the dog had the "other right tools" to make the grade. I would take em hunting for the first year.

Post by **topher40** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 3:03 pm

myerstenn wrote:I personally wouldn"t waste my time unless I was confident the dog had the "other right tools" to make the grade. I would take em hunting for the first year.

Good idea myerstenn. I always wait till the dog is about three years old. This allows the dog to go through the breaking process and have a couple of good seasons under its belt. FF is the last thing I do with the dog.

birddog1968 · Post by **birddog1968** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 4:47 pm

Agreed ! among the last things to teach on a pointing dog for me......

Retrievers are another story .....

EvanG · Post by **EvanG** » Wed Jul 18, 2012 5:41 am

FOWLMAN wrote:Not trying to high jack thread thought I would just add to the topic. thanks!I have a 4 mo. old I'm going to FF... eventually... & I was just messing with the ear pinch to see where & how sensitive he was. Well he must have a high pain tolerance or I'm doing it wrong because it don't bother/hurt him one bit... Any advice?

Yes, STOP! It's far too soon to pinch that little pup's ear, or really to use much pressure at all. There are solid puppy programs available to follow, and that is what I recommend doing - starting right now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bywrx4O9FeY&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVbFKGrS5DE&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtFGWtp-hPs&feature=plcp

And much, much more!

THE SMARTWORK PUPPY PROGRAM DVD

EvanG

FOWLMAN · Post by **FOWLMAN** » Wed Jul 18, 2012 7:41 am

Thanks for all the input & Video links that helped fill in a lot blanks...For the Record... the last thing I want to do is mistreat my dog in any way shape or form. I guess what I was trying to do is to see if I could get any reaction out of him, which I did not & yes I admit that was a Rookie mistake. I do have the Dokken Retriever book so I'm following that program and so far it's going very smooth. Thanks again!

EvanG · Post by **EvanG** » Wed Jul 18, 2012 8:49 am

FOWLMAN wrote:I guess what I was trying to do is to see if I could get any reaction out of him, which I did not & yes I admit that was a Rookie mistake. Thanks again!

When the time comes to force fetch, especially the 'fetch' portion, which comes after 'hold', remember the point of force is not to make the dog cry out in pain, or to overwhelm him with pressure. It is to condition him to pressure, and that usually requires very little actual pressure.

EvanG

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