Retieving

[paulc]

We just got a 6 yr. old lab and he is not real interested in retrieving he had no interest in tennis ball until we tied an old duck wing to it......does anybody now any special tips or retrieving items to make him more interested....please any help would be gretaly appreciated...

paulc

[Speckmisser]

Hi Paul,

I know this is kinda a different case, but my lab went through a phase where she decided not to retrieve anymore when she was a pup. ###Basically we just made it a game, played little bits at a time, offered the dog lots of chances to succeed, and praised like heck for any positive effort. ###

If he's interested in the duck wing, then work with that. ###Go back to the puppy training book, and try playing tag and keepaway until his interest comes back up. ###Keep any retrieves REAL short, and only when he's consistent should you stretch it out. ###Also might wanna limit the games to a few minutes a day, then leave off. ###Like showbiz, sometimes it really does pay to leave them begging for more. ###

Also, have you tried working with dummies? ###I had one lab who I never allowed to chase anything except dummies and birds. ###After a few years, I could throw a stick and he'd watch it but never even offer to go get it. ###Same for a tennis ball. ###But if I brought the dummy out of the back of the truck, he'd go nuts. ###Maybe your dog was originally trained this way too? ###

Finally, it's just possible that your dog doesn't have the drive. ###Retrieving for a lab is mostly instinctual, and it can happen that a dog just didn't get that part of the genetic code. ###If that's the case, there's always force training, but at that point I'd just let him be a pet and move on. ###

Good luck.

[Dakota]

At 6 it is tough. ###But the good news is he is interested in the duck wing. ###Keep the duck wing part play associated. ###Maybe put some scent on it to use it as bridge later. ###Use a dummy and teach him to hold it. ###Place it directly in his mouth and command "hold" ###do it very briefly at first and increase the time. ###When he understands the command well don't put it in his mouth but hold it right in front of his mouth and coax him to take it and hold. ###Continue to extend the distance that he will take it from your hand until you can lay it on the floor and give the command. ###Then extend that by tossing it a short distance.

In the mean time if you have kept the duck wing and ball fun. ###Strap the duck wing to the dummy and use the same scent. ###Let him scent it and toss the dummy as you did the duck wing and ball. ###Hopefully the training will transfer. ###If not break it back down and do it again. ###This is the only way I can come up with other than force training. ###

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[TealMan]

Speckmisser makes some important points. ###First off, at this point, I would throw whatever interests the dog the most. ###Tease him, and get him really worked up before you throw whatever you end up using. ###Only throw it a couple of times, and then put it away while he is still really excited (hopefully he will be). ###What that does is make it even more fun for him the next time, and hopefully you will bring out the retrieving drive (if it's there). ### Also, as Speckmisser said, you may just not be throwing the right thing. ###My pup likes to grab sticks and balls, but will absolutely run through a brick wall for a bird or plastic dummy.

[huntducks]

paulc

More important then getting him to retrieve now is to find out if he is gun shy, I would take him to a local shooting range like the one over in So. El Monte park as far away as you can and see what his reaction is, then move a little closer. if he is gun shy you got more to worry about them him picking up a wing.

Just because he is a Lab does not mean he like water, guns or retieving, most likely he was just a house pet for 6 years.

I believe the worst mistake many make when getting a older dog, is taking them out hunting without checking if there gun shy, and they take off like the Irish setter in funny farm with the first shot.

[Speckmisser]

Real good point, Huntducks. ###Not gonna help much if you shoot a duck and have to retrieve the dog. ###

[paulc]

thanks everyone.. my son posted using my name, i will make sure he gets all this info.. we have been shooting a cap gun to get him used to the gun sounds.. he does like to hold his leash in his mouth when we go on walks.. maybe we can figure a way to get him to retrieve his leash.. ### he gets real excited about the leash
excited about going on walks maybe..

great dog.

[Maverick]

paul,
How is thunder doing? I teased him with a tennis ball and would bounce it in front of him. This would get him excited and he would to 10 or 15 yard retreives. He did really like chashing the stuffed anaimals.

[paulc]

chris, i sent you an email.. thunder is doing great. ###we worked with him all weekend and he is doing great with commands. sit, stay. come and does great on a leash.. he followed me everywhere this weekend..
thanks