[txduckn]

Should I be trainning my lab to hold the duck until I give the release command or bring it back and drop it? If it is hold it how do you go about trainning that techhique?

 

[gsphunter]

TX, if the dog is still young, praise the heck out of the dog when it has the retrieve object in its mouth. As soon as the dog drops it, stop praising. Also, when the dog drops it at your feet, take two steps back. Praise again when the dog picks the object back up. This will teach the dog that you like when the thing is in the dogs mouth.

Oh yeah, your first question: It is definitely preferable to have the dog hold until you give a release command, but if you are happy with the dog dropping the bird at your feet, then that is all you need, but it is nice having a dog hold until commanded otherwise.

 

[BearBeatsAll]

IMO i want the dog to hold it until i command him to.I just picked up a new dog sunday and he will hold it for 30 minutes if u wanted him to he is great about that.Im not sure about how to go with training but gsphunters way sounds pretty good to me.

 

[ACEBLDRS]

If you have ever had a dog drop a winged duck at the waters edge, only to have the duck swim away and make you chase it for 20 minutes while other ducks are flying over, then you would definately want your dog to hold the bird and deliver to hand.

This process is called "force Fetch" it is the foundation of all advanced dog training. It how your dog learns to take and turn off "pressure"

I don't know how old your dog is, if he is under 6 months, then you need to wait on his adult teeth to come in.

If he is younger, then you need to do as gsphunter said, encourage and praise your pup when he brings it back to you and gives it to you without dropping it at your feet. Give no praise when he does not give the bumper to you. Also don't punish the dog if he drops it at your feet, just don't praise him.

If your dog is older, then you need to start doing a lot of reading on the subject of "FF" There are many articles on line about this subject. Also do a search for it on this site, I finished it a couple of months ago, and about 3 months ago, I asked for help with it on this site, and i recieved some great advice on it. I had a rough go of it, but i stuck with it and kept a cool head and we got through it.

Good luck

josh

 

[ol' yeller]

It's all personal preference if you want the dog to deliver to hand. Myself, I want the dog to heal and hold the duck until I reach down and tell her to release it. My buddy, on the other hand, just cares that it makes it back inside the boat or blind.

Pick up a training book like 10 Minute Retriever or Water Dog and they'll explain how to train hold.

 

[Greg Wile]

I have to agree with Ace on the release to hand aspect. Nothing worse than the dog dropping a winged bird at your feet and then it swimming or sneaking away on you.

 

[duckdog]

I agre it is nice to grab a bird right out of the dog's mouth. I have heard of bird's swimming off, when a dog drop's them but from what I have seen, the dog can usaully snatch them back up with in ten feet. I suppose if it is a real light hit bird it could be a challenge. I geuss it is what ever you prefer, but I still like it being handed to me

 

[JJ McGuire]

I saw a man cry when his dog dropped a banded woody drake and it flew off.

 

[bullet]

I tend to disagree that it's personal preference. Like ace said Forced to Fetch and Forced retrieving is the Basic fundementals for a retriever and the foundation of retriever training. Nothing good can happen from a dropped bird and nothing bad can happen for a held bird

 

[txduckn]

thanks for the input guys. My female is about 14 months and I've been working with her but like I said this is my first working dog and I understand that I'm not going to have a perfect dog so I'll work on the important stuff first and build upon that. But I definitly want her to hold now. Thanks again