Chesapeake bay training
 

Is there anyone who can recommend a book or video about training a Chesapeake Bay, or are the standard retriever videos the ticket. I bought a Chessie after my lab died, and I've heard some hype that Chessies are a little tougher to train. So far no problems, it's just I've noticed that the dogs can be a little "moody" when it comes to enthusiasm. Any ideas. (nope, won't get rid of 'em either, LOL)

RE: Chesapeake bay training
 

Chessies are a little more dense, if thats the right word. They need more attention to get the point across. I would think as long as your doing the same work as you would a lab, the training is going to be identical. Evan Grahams Smartfetch. Mike Lardy's total retriever.

RE: Chesapeake bay training
 

Jackie Mertens, "sound begginings"

RE: Chesapeake bay training
 

How old is your dog? What sort of background? What kind of training routeine have you been following?

RE: Chesapeake bay training
 

John & Amy Dahl are some pretty famous Chessie folks.
Get their book, the "10 Minute Retriever".


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RE: Chesapeake bay training
 

Dogger, All the retrieving breed will be trained alike, how ever you are right about the chessie being hard headed. I hate to classify breeds but it is a true fact. If you want to do the training yourself then you better get several books to start reading, but in the mean time if the sole purpose of the dog is for waterfowl then start with obedience. It's never to early for obedience on a waterfowl dog, and what ever you do, do not play retrieving games for to long in a day. All you really need to do is throw about 4 to 5 retrieves per session, but no more than 2 times a day. You don't want pup to start getting bored of retrieving at such a young age, it will lead to you having to force fetch(force retrieve) him later, or pay someone to do it. Also chessies bond to a family but only one person in that family is really thier master, and that could turn into a problem (maybe).

RE: Chesapeake bay training
 

Retreiver Training by Robert Milner and a box of 2 x 4's should do the trick.

RE: Chesapeake bay training
 

We've got a 1yr old chessie pup and we have found that obediance is the number one thing to start. He is doing real well. We have got a E-collar that has helped instill obediance at a distance. We call it a god button. He know obeys as god has given the command. Can't wait for duck season to open.

RE: Chesapeake bay training
 

I had a Chessie once. He was easily trained, but VERY hard-headed. He almost drowned once trying to find a duck. I couldn't call him off and finally had to wade out to get him.

RE: Chesapeake bay training
 

Chessie are great dogs. They are not over bread and very loving to the family. My buddy hunts and breeds them. I have nothing but respect for the chessie.

RE: Chesapeake bay training
 

Thanks for the responses,,, I'll try most,, but not the 2x4's ! LOL Both of my dogs are 4-5 months old, female, and very smart. The youngest one has an impressive pedigree and seems to have the most in the way of desire to retrieve and please.Both areswimming and retrievingin the potomac river, (still very cold water in february) and seem to love it. I've thought of getting an E-collar but I've heard so many pro's and con's, I'm not quite sure if it'snecessary. Some days they are pushbutton, the next day they seem to be starting from scratch. So far they respond to a whistle very well, and I have no problemscontrolling them when walking around the farm.

I'd love to see some field trials or find a website that explains field trials and how to train for one.Up to now I haven't found any. I've bought the video "waterdog", and itseems to be really doing well for me.I've also purchased theMike Pinds video "retriever training". I'llprobably use alot fromboth and hope for the best. Theyreally arelike shadows, you can't get out of their sight for a moment.

We'reglad we bought Chessies,andwe spend a lot of time with the obedience training (very necessary from what I've read). My oldest pup has an impressive bark and is showing signs that she needs more socialization. I'm not sure if itisadominance issue, trying to protect the younger pup, or it's the classic chessie"guard" reaction when feeling threatened.Anywho, I'm confidant we can work through it. Thanks for all theadvice, I appreciate the help!

Dogger

RE: Chesapeake bay training
 

Dogger, seems like you might have a problem starting to brew. I would recommend you seperate the two and keep them in seperate runs. You do not want to have them bonding to each other. You want them to bond to you not each other. To give you a fore sight on chessies. Thier bond is a life long bond, once bonded they will give thier life to protect the one they have bonded with, and remember them for life. I had a chessie once for 2 years and sold her as a seasoned retriever. The dog was sent out of state and never seen her for 4 years, but when I seen her again. She did not even care what her owner said. They never forget the one they bond to. So with that said, seems like if the older one has bonded to the younger one, you might have some problem with, correcting the younger one if you don't correct the problem now. If you want to train for field trials. look into a retriever club near you. A word of forewarning, hope your dogs likes to do 100+ yards retrieves (not blinds just marks). Unless you are talking about hunt test or HRC.

RE: Chesapeake bay training
 

Great choice of dog...little dense like said, but just a great and hard working dog....he'll do what he's taught and is not a forgeter...just show him alot of postive and bond correctly with him...you'll have a great hunting partner...Honkers

RE: Chesapeake bay training
 

Hey Chief,
Wow, you really are hung up on your breed! I would have chosen a lab, but I didn't want to be like all the other yuppies on the park bench. Did you have a chessie beat your dog in a field trial or hunt test? Maybe you should consider being a little more polite or open minded. You obviously have a grudge, or something you need to compensate for. OOHH well, I think Chessies are great!

Dogger's Wife

RE: Chesapeake bay training
 

Hey Dogger69,

You answered your own question, but it's a worth while question as Chesapeake's sometimes get a bad wrap from hunter's thinking they are just like labs. More attention and patience is the key! The most important thing to remember is that Chesapeake's are a one man's dog..they don't like sharing time with other dogs.

Aside from the above, they are the best dogs you will every have for duck and goose hunting. In the dead of winter, Chesapeake's are all business!

Greg

RE: Chesapeake bay training
 

I have never seen a chessie beat any of my lab at a hunt test nor a field trial but all that I am saying is true. They are a one person dog. I have owned chessies in the past and currently own two of them, but they are truely my own dogs. All I am saying is what I read from doggers description of what is happening to the dogs. Either you believe me or not it is your choice but you might later regret it. I do not hate the breed or have grudge against the breed or any other breed. If you don't believe me talk to other pro trainers in your area and you will get the same answer as what I have stated. With the field trails its a fact that the dog is doing 100+ yard marks so all I was doing was giving you an insight on the field trail world. Maybe I shouldn't have been so polite and just tell you that you should of have gotten a lab instead of a chessie. But that is just not me and you should be glad you got the chessies I never stated they were a bad dog or breed, all I did was state the truth and if you can't handle the truth then you should not have ask.