brittany won't pick up a dead bird

[kurts]

Thanks for the info, that seems more of my style as a rookie trainer. I got some pigeons and she retrieves those just fine with some tentative licks. She responds immediately when I give the command and if she drops short I kneel down and she'll bring it to me. I did condition her a bit with the command and winged bumper with the e -collar which I think helped. A couple more weeks with pigeons and we'll try some variety

There is one old trick you can try. First off this could be a reason I never start a young dog out on pheasants. They can get a violent experience from one, and never want anything to do with one again. Not saying thats what happened just a reminder to all.You can take another dog out that will deliver fine, and make her watch while on lead, giving the other dog plenty of praise in front of her. Put her away the first few times just watching. She will get jealous and want a try.
You need to just stick with pigeons for some time, just toss a few clips and put her away. No Free running. Just the retrieves. It will look forward to the sessions. Then toss in a small frozen hen. mix it up with a couple pigeons. And only do a few and put her up. You can do it a few times a day. If you get a good couple, quit while your ahead. Let the dog hold it for a bit while you really praise the hell out of her, and rub her up. Give her a couple kernels of dog food and put her away. Once she starts doing it, mix in a smaller frozen rooster. NO live pheasants for quite awhile. You will see the confidence build and then you can toss a couple fresh killed pheasants in. Mix in a shot from time to time from a gunner off to the side a ways. Then after a couple months shoot a couple flier pigeons, see how that goes, then a small flier hen. If that goes well, use them for a month then put in a rooster. If you advance and have issues back up a step again. Many times this approach works with a dog like this better then force breaking. Most dogs that need force breaking will pick up a bird but will just screw around with it. This is a positive approach for a softer dog. Something about another dog doing it, while they watch can turn on a light bulb, and make them want the attention too. Good luck.

 

[boberosagundogs]

We train retrieve/force fetch customers dogs quite a bit. Its not fun at it can be a grueling process. I would leave it as a last resort. I agree with FC springer he hit it right on the money. If you still have problems then think about a force fetching regiment. In my opinion if they pick up most things and carry them in thier mouth the will come around eventually. Its when they won't pick up anything there is a problem.