[duckmann]

Quick question:

When teaching pup to retreive how many times a day should I throw the bumper and have her bring it back?

Ex. 10 times in the morning and 10 times at night?

I have heard that pups can get bored of this "game" fairly quickly if it is over done early? Is that true?

Thanks,

Duck Mann

 

[cmelik10]

well how old is your pup? When I was working my pup who is now about 5 months I never did more than about 3-4 once a day a couple of times a week. The other trainning sessions were strickly OB. Now that she is older I will do about 10-15 but i take breaks between them and some of them are "happy bumpers" and there is alot of OB still worked in.

 

[SCoutdoorsman]

Everyone has there opinions but 1-3 or 5-10 a week depending on age is all up to you and your dog IMO. You just have to learn to read your dog, of course start out real low and work your way up. My youngest is a little over a year and yet she does not ever want to stop it seems like but I know she needs to buy her actions. Best of luck to you.

 

[duckmann]

Pup is only 7 months and from your replys I can already see that I am over doing things. I have been throwing in my basement 10 times 2-3 times a day. . . always with fun bumpers since I am having difficulty with the transition to "workl" bumpers (See previous post). She continues to wag her tail and is happy BUT was concerned that eventually she would tire of the game.

Thanks again for the assistance!

 

[98ramtough]

duckmann, at 7 months you can hunt that pup. If the dog is still intense and having fun, don't worry about it.

I think it is more important to a YOUNG pup like 2-5 months not to overdue it. At 7 months if the dog has solid obedience you should be training it to retrieve.

Mike

 

[SCoutdoorsman]

Duckman if its in her she want get tired. Soemthing has to happen tramatically to a dog (lab) to stop retrieving IMO. Just in this stage we have to make sure it stays fun until the dog is comfortable and masterd what she or he needs to know. If its in her/his blood they will do it. Some just take more than other and thats ok as well. We (the trainer) have to find what makes us better in order to help the dog.

Mine was swimming at 3 months and pulling/chasing the bumpers, and buddy of mines was 7 months and we were lucky to get his big ol butt to retriever more than 5 cast at the time.

Just try new things or what works and take it slow.

 

[gsphunter]

Watch the dog. If it looks like she's getting bored with the game then cut it off. Just remember, always end on a high note and always end with the pup wanting more.

 

[Greg Wile]

:withstupid: Keep the pup wanting more by stopping before it gets bored.
And I agree that the pup is old enough to hunt, I started mine when she was 8 months old and she retrieved 3 ducks her first trip out and actualy out performed the older dog that was with us.

Keep takin those shooting lessons, I think they're working cause your starting to get some tail feathers.

 

[brdprey]

SO FAR.....all these guys are right. and thanks to this sight i think my tanner is a real nice hunting partner. since he was little i asked the same question. and he is now 14 mnths. he goes crazy to retrieve. and it was like these guys are saying.
10 times (even in play keepit few) then stop, no matter what he is anxious and how did the last post put it, he is on his / her high note. the enthusiasum to do it again the next day is welcomed by you and your buddy.

to those of you onn this sight that have helped me. thanks :thumbsup:
rick

 

[brucemacp]

I don't throw many bumpers for my dog anymore but when I did my arm would wear out long before he got tired of picking em up. Watch your dog they will tell you when enough is enough.