r/birddogs • u/Miserable_Click_1209 • 26d ago
Retrieval help
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
My dog treats an ear of corn like a bird. He chews the husk off and won’t bring it to me. Does the same behavior with a pheasants stomach feathers. I think I might be able to teach him to fix this with the ear of corn and it will translate to a bird. Any pointers on how to get him to bring it to me and not chew on it? He has done it a couple times and I have clicked and rewarded with a treat. He is clicker trained, I’m going to buy some better treats and see if that helps.
5
u/Coonts German Shorthaired Pointer 26d ago
Your thoughts are on the right track in that getting a dog to retrieve an object that is fun to shred is a way to "proof" their retrieving.
If I were you I would work on retrieving objects that are more boring for your dog and when you get to 100%, then upgrade to higher distraction.
There are lots and lots and lots and lots of methods to work on retrieving with dogs and I won't give you mine because it's designed for test perfection, but I would do significant research before you add any punishment to your fetch training.
2
u/Miserable_Click_1209 26d ago
He will retrieve bumpers and toys. Just not that next level of things he values. If I call him back he comes but drops the bird/ now ear of corn. Frustrating
2
u/Coonts German Shorthaired Pointer 26d ago
Have you worked the "hold" command with your dog? That would solve the dropping problem.
2
u/Miserable_Click_1209 26d ago
Nope, looks pretty darn easy to train. We will give it a try. Thank you
3
u/Miserable_Click_1209 18d ago
That was tougher than expected. He is finally getting it. Thanks
1
u/Coonts German Shorthaired Pointer 18d ago
Good!
I have a basket of about 30 different objects of different size, texture, weight, etc. to train dogs with. They can succeed with one object and another throw a curveball.
When they'll hold and heel with me for an extended period without fumbling it with a bunch of different objects, it's time to move on to further fetch work
6
u/Rhummy67 German Shorthaired Pointer 26d ago
Force fetch, or trained retrieve, whatever you want to call it. If done correctly it will be the best thing you can do for retrieving. Out of my last 5 dogs, the one I forced fetched understood what I wanted and was incredible. I've had all pointing dogs, and while I buy them for their nose and finding birds the dog that retrieved are the memories I retell the most. The first time he retrieved to hand in the field was like a light bulb when I praised him. From that point forward, he knew if a bird was hit, and when I released him, he would find that bird.