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SetterNut

SetterNut

New member
I have started a FF program with my setter that doesn't use the ear or toe pinch. To get the dog to accept the object you are pushing the lips against the teeth to make them open up.

Basically you take the same steps to get the dog to take something in his mouth and hold it until commanded to give it.

Have any of you used this method, and what did you think of it?
 
The ear pinch, toe hitch or your method are all a way of applying force and discomfort to get the dog to do what you want. I would also recommend overlaying your method with the e-collar. I was having delivery problems with my Brittany and had her FF'd. Got her back after a month and $600+ only to have the same problems. The trainer used the toe hitch but did not incorporate the e-collar. Thus I had no way in enforce her delivery in the field. I sent her off to another trainer and he overlayed the FF with the e-collar. Made a world of difference. Now I can easily correct her in the field. Tough to correct in the field if you only use the ear pinch, toe hitch or lip pinch. Good luck with your project. I tried to FF myself but found no matter how much I read about it I just wasn't cut out to do it. Easier and better to farm it out.
 
You make a good point about the e-collar. I will have to overlay the collar once I get farther along. I'm just in day 2.

I am really not looking for perfection in his retrieve. I just don't want to crawl under the plum thickets when he is standing over the bird I shot :rolleyes:
 
You are correct that the e-collar is down the road for you. One Force Fetch/Trained Retrieve program that does a good job with transitioning to the e-collar is the one by Jim & Phyllis Dobbs. I have their DVD that is put out in conjunction with Tri-Tronics.
 
Well been working with him on this for several days now.
Getting less resistance, but still a long way to go.
 
Well we have been at it for about 2 weeks now. I have him holding different objects. He is doing pretty well. I have him holding while heeling some of the time. Still have a long way to go, but making progress each day.

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Getting ready for the College Football season!
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SetterNut said:
Well we have been at it for about 2 weeks now. I have him holding different objects. He is doing pretty well. I have him holding while heeling some of the time. Still have a long way to go, but making progress each day.

July2011_1.jpg


Getting ready for the College Football season!
July2011_4.jpg
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SetterNut:

That might be the smartest dog I have ever seen. GO CATS!
 
I had been thinking I would like to meet up with some of you guys from around Manhattan sometime. After seeing your pile of "Jayhawks" I need to meet you. I have not had a pile like that to take a picture of in years.
 
Jakeismydog2 said:
I had been thinking I would like to meet up with some of you guys from around Manhattan sometime. After seeing your pile of "Jayhawks" I need to meet you. I have not had a pile like that to take a picture of in years.
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That was from a couple of years ago out west. But that was a very good day :cheers:

My mission for this year is to have my dog retrieve a "Jayhawk" :thumbsup:

Training has been progressing pretty well. He will take it in his mouth, hold, heel or come while holding it, and drop on command.

But we still have a ways to go before he is truly retrieving
 
Thanks Shadow.

The training is going real well.
The sad thing is that I would likely have had a dog that would have retrieve naturally if I had been more careful his first time out. He picked up a quail and started back, and my old Gordon lit into him and took the bird. He has not really pick up many of the birds after that.

He is not going to be a great retriever, but I think I can get him servicable, where I don't have to crawl under the plum thickets to get the bird out from under his feet ;)
 
SetterNut said:
He picked up a quail and started back, and my old Gordon lit into him and took the bird. He has not really pick up many of the birds after that.

He is not going to be a great retriever, but I think I can get him servicable, where I don't have to crawl under the plum thickets to get the bird out from under his feet ;)
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I've seen such with a soft retriever where the other dog is a sure fire retriever- can be worked out- but most times the soft one will always let the other grab- keep on the work- have to build the confidence- most likely will retrieve great when alone
 
The old Gordon can't get around in the field anymore, so that will not be a problem.

Had a good training night tonight. Got a few of retrieves out of him with a bumper. That is big progress for him, but still going to have several weeks more of training.

Not a big deal, as it is too hot to do much else.
 
very good- you understand your dog

it can go the other way sometimes
I was sharing a house with my best freind- on a lake-
I had a 5 month old female Golden he had a 6 year old female Black Lab-
she was an awesome dog on ducks- in a blind or pot hole jumping
spring came and the ice started breaking up-
he liked to work his Lab sitting, tossing the dummy, hollering fetch- she was good- we thought since we'd be hunting alot together to work my pup with her to teach mine how it should be done by association

wasn't too long before the pup was getting to the dummy at the same time-
then a little later the pup started beating the lab-

we made a mistake- we kept doing it- that Lab shut down- as soon as the younster regularly got the dummy first- the lab would blast off land but stop and come back

she never was as good a retriever as she was from that point on-
 
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