Gun Dog Forum

Hi everyone.
I'm working on training our 6 month old WPG. As stated before, this is our fist gun dog, so please bear with me!
He's been through obedience, and we are still working on this every day (he's got the hang of it).
I'm starting to steer more training to the hunting aspect, and am working on his retrieve with a bumper this week.
I've noticed that he's really motivated to run out to the bumper, pick it up, then bring it back...but before he reaches me, he gives it a few shakes as if he's playing with it.
Is this something I should be correcting now, or should I hold off since he's fairly young?
If I correct him, he tends to drop the bumper, rather than placing it in my hand when I say 'Give'.
Any advice is much appreciated!

This is a very involved topic. You should really get a good training program and follow it.

I have a 6 month old Vizsla in training at the moment.(but I'm sure they are all the same)
I'm not having him retrieving as part of any hunting .
I'm also not having him hunting as any part of a retrieve.
I'm also not following any specific program other than letting him Retrieve when all the processes of a retrieve are in place .I'm also not letting him hunt until all the processes of command to hunt are in place .
I guess it's just some yard drills and discipline I've got in place that allows me to do this .
I could be wrong , so I'll let the experts guide you .

Robert, there is a difference in what you do and know now compared to the first dog, as you well know, so try to think back what you would like to have heard and not what you would say today.

ezzy333 wrote:Robert, there is a difference in what you do and know now compared to the first dog, as you well know, so try to think back what you would like to have heard and not what you would say today.

I wish I was told how the dog I had now was the same as the dog that others have

polmaise wrote:

ezzy333 wrote:Robert, there is a difference in what you do and know now compared to the first dog, as you well know, so try to think back what you would like to have heard and not what you would say today.

I wish I was told how the dog I had now was the same as the dog that others have

Sounds good.