Dog Not Retreiving

skiftcky · 07-06-2009, 03:05 PM

Been trying to work with my dog. He does just fine if I work him in the back yard and will retreive as long as I throw for him. However when I take him out to the pond near home I throw one time, he'll run after it, bring it half way back and then will have nothing more to do with it. The reason I take him out there is because he's six months old and was told to start getting him in the water at that age. I just want to know if any one out there has some pointers on how to get him to retrieve when I take him out there.
6 month old lab

Cranky Guy · 07-08-2009, 12:25 AM

Try not throwing the bumper so far out until your pup gets a little used to the idea. When I first start a pup in the water I throw it out only far enough that I don't drown if I have to get it because the dog is unsure. I also get into the water with them and that seems to settle down the nerves. Make sure that the trip to the pond is fun for him and let him get used to the idea of being in water and then the transition to retrieving in water will be easier. This has worked well for me, just my two cents.

Vizsla Vince · 07-08-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Cranky Guy

Make sure that the trip to the pond is fun for him and let him get used to the idea of being in water and then the transition to retrieving in water will be easier. This has worked well for me, just my two cents.

I think this is key. Make the "outings" fun for a while before throwing "work" into the mix. This applies to all trips afield for the next month or so. The point is to make the field/pond the most fun place on earth for now. Once pup's in love with the water/field, then start the "work" stuff. But remember to always end on a high note!

4evrhtn · 07-13-2009, 08:17 AM

I have just the opposite problem, one of my GSP's will retrieve all day long in water -deep water but on dry ground 2 or 3 tosses and he loses interest.

mr.mc54 · 07-13-2009, 09:10 AM

I start my Lab pups out in our Goldfish pond. He has a time of his life in the water. At first I just let him go about his own business in the water and made it a daily thing to go swimming. Then I started out with short retrieves and for short periods increasing the length each day. I never force them in the water, they will eventually do it on their own. As others have said: MAKE IT FUN. I have a twelve week old pup right now that retrieves both in and out of the water. To him it is fun time and I keep it that way. Good luck

skiftcky · 07-14-2009, 07:28 AM

My buddy has been taking his trained dog out. Mine will follow her into the water and try to pull the dummy out of her mouth as she swims back with it... I consider this a success. However it's when we're on land doing dry retreives. I'll throw out the blank and he'll run to it on first toss and then look at it and be done.... I like to start out and end the training on a positive "playfull note" should I star out on a more serious note?

mr.mc54 · 07-16-2009, 09:19 AM

Start out small retrieves and reward with a treat or just love em up. There is no magic way to start them. One day it will just click and they will know what you expect. Some dogs learn faster than others. Don't get discouraged and I would suggest that you get the land retrieving down pretty good before you work on the water. Also you might try a check cord to make your dog come back to you. Or try to get him to retrive in a hallway or alley away from distractions. Pups don't concentrate well with distractions for them to look at.

skiftcky · 07-26-2009, 04:51 PM

Thank you all for your help. Monday of this week I took him out to the pond and threw the bumper around and he retrieved. your advice worked.... after about 30 minutes of dry runs I threw to the waters edge (about chest deep for him) he went and got it. 10 more of these and I slowly increased the distance and he went after it and brought it back just about every time. We also went ahead and took out a 20 guage... He's not gun shy, he looks to the sky when my buddy blows the duck call and now he's swimming after it. Now all I have to do is keep this up and force break retrieves and I think I'll be in business
Thanx again you guys!

JW · 07-26-2009, 05:57 PM

I ahve been following this and all I can say he is young.....make sure it is fun at all times......

Good luck

JW

birddog3412 · 07-29-2009, 09:37 PM

Being 6 month old, his adult teeth are probably coming in. So that could be some of the reason for his inconsistant retrieves