Mike: What is "UJ" - would like to read your suggestions. thanks.
JonnyB,
Here is the exact reply / recommendations as I had posted on UJ. Let me know ye thoughts on them once you have read them please.
Cheers,
Mike
"Aye Mate,
I just viewed the clip of Josey. Several things jumped out at me as problematic. First, let me start in saying that my commentary is meant to be constructive and not to be construed as mean spirited in any regard.
You mention that Josey has had "some force fetching that included force fetching techniques". I don't know whom did your FF, but it has not been done to the point of her having been adequately Force Fetch conditioned as is evidenced by her blinking birds, refusing to pick them up, and dropping them on the way back to you. Her retrieve is unreliable and if Force Fetch conditioned completely, she would be fetching reliably by compulsion.
As for "formal training", there are obvious holes in basic obedience RECALL being again unreliable as is demonstrated by her ignoring your command to recall.
Given my observations mentioned, yourself as her "handler" is a major part of the problem in your repeating of a command numerous times with little to zero compliance / response from your retriever, doing so is effectively conditioning her to ignore your commands and there is no consequence for her not doing so.
The upside is she has bird drive and is quartering and using her nose. The downside is she is near totally blowing you off with regard to commands issued. Review your clip and count to yourself how many times you are issuing the same command with zero compliance and that should be a major RED FLAG for why you are experiencing problems. Additionally, your issue of commands are presented using a mixing of verbal commands for the same desired response or behavior, (example the use of HERE AND COME ON for RECALL) - verbal commands should remain consistent to be meaningful to the retriever.
In all reality, I would recommend a restart with solidification of Josey specific to basic obedience and progressing to the point of formal obedience training to establish her foundation. That should then be backed up with e-collar conditioning and reinforcement of compliance of trained behaviors I would then follow up with a fully completed program of HOLD and FORCE FETCH conditioning.
The holes in your training are largely apparent and will only continue to degrade and create other problems. My observations specific to the interaction between yourself and Josey would indicate that your experience regarding basic level training concepts and comprehension of how K9's learn is minimal and quite honestly seems grossly misunderstood. Your reaching out for help is admirable and a first step to remediation of the situation.
Not sure if you "self trained" or utilized a pro. Either way, I would recommend you find yourself a good pro based on my observations and have him or her observe you handling Josey. Make notes on the problems you want addressed and work with the pro in the development of yourself as a more proficient handler.
I hope you find these recommendations helpful. Good luck to you".
Cheers,
THE DOG WHISTLER
