RETRIEVING QUESTION

[glider]

I have a 9 month female lab that doesnt want to retrieve half the time you throw a dummy out and she goes to it and turns around and comes back without it sometimes. She was doing good and I got caught in a machine at work and couldnt do anything for about 2 month wich probably doesn't help. Any suggestions. Iam force fetching right now. THANKS

[shootem]

You just answered your own question. Is this the first dog you have forced fetched? Are you getting any help as a pro or are you using any specific book as a guide line.

[glider]

Yes she is my first dog to train, and Iam going off of water dog. It just frustrating sometimes. Ecspecially when you have a 13 week old male lab that is doing pretty good at retrieving and is already pointing. Since I got him she improved and was a different dog in 1week. Anyother suggestions.FRUSTRATING BUT GOTTA LOVE EM :CL:

[Woods and Water]

I agree with the above FF is the key to solve this problem...my female was FF in 15 minutes she got it quick!!My male on the other hand took about a week of going throught the drills but it was worth it.
THe other thing I see with alot of labs that live together is one can teach the other(tangible learing) so let her watch the dog that has it down and maybe it will help,sounds like it did already.
Remember keep it fun and lots of praise when she does it right,labs are so darn smart shell get it.Good Luck !!!:Rich:

[cself02]

WW had a good point let it learn from the other!, my 12 week old pup, was retrieving awesome and then went through a couple days of running to the dummy and laying down and chewing on it, So I worked with my BLF and she ran after her a few times on her retrieves and she is back to retrieves, plus now i am working them together to help out on steadyness for both of them.

Good luck!!

[glider]

Thanks guys for the suggestions. How long should I make the sessions on the focre fetching. I have varied the lengths but what do you guys think.

[shootem]

Keep the session short about 10 minutes a day. What is more important is you work on the force fetching EVERY day. That 7 days a week. Don't start till you can make sure you will devote the time to the dog. To properly force fetch a dog will take from 2 to 6 weeks for an experience trainer. You should find a pro or a experienced amateur to help you if you have never force fetched a dog before. I would put the book you are using now back on the self and find a better more modern training instruction book. The Ten Minute retriever or Smart works are both very good books.

[Woods and Water]

FF will take different times on every dog its hard to say how long it should take,I ve seen some take weeks and others days or like my female only a short time.BUt as far as the training sessions I think about 15 minutes or untill the dog looks like they have had enough(some can handle more than others).I personally like Wolters books and agree that there are others out there that you can look into....I think the important thing is use what your comfortable with and be consistant in your training schedule...it will come with patience and praise.....JMO

[glider]

Were can I purchase Ten Minute Retriever & Smart Works. I appreciate the comments and help from everyone.







:cool: THANKS AGAIN

[shootem]

http://www.lcsupply.com/store/catalog/sitemap_new/map_bookshelf.htm
http://oakhillkennel.com/library/ten_minute.html

[kugohuntn]

I bought 10 min Retriever at hastings. Boarders book store also had it.

THey both had it in stock along with others if you want to look and compare first.

I like the 10 min retriever book. Simple and keeps things short.

Gohuntn

[Nick]

I too bought the 10 minute retriever book. Having used the Wolters books in the past, I found the book very helpful. It filled in alot of the gaps!

Nick

[glider]

Last night I had finished working with both pups, and took them down to the pond to swim on the way I picked up an apple into the pond just for fun and as soon as the apple hit the water the race was on between the two pups. They hit the water on high and of course my older one the female got it and brought it back. She didn't deliver to hand but I can work on that. I did this a couple more times. Then I held the female and let my male get a few on his own. This made me happy.



FINALLY SHE'S DOING SOME RETRIEVING AGAIN :TT: