Lab problem

[padave]

Hello everyone,
I have a prob with my lab he's 2 yo and I just introduced him to pheasant hunting last year ( started him at game farms ) and then to public land and he did very well no issues except that he was just inexperienced ( to be expected )
BUT so far this year I've been taking him for some retrieving practice in some " birdie " looking fields with the dummies and he didn't show any interest at all. But if I throw dummies at the local town park and my back yard he goes and retrieves like a champ. I don't want to get mad at him and I'm sure it's my fault somewhere down the line. Should I just start back at the beginning or is there another fix for this issue. Let me know what you think.

 

[1pheas4]

Next time you bag a planted Phez, cut off both wings and attach them to the retrieving dummy. Get yourself some pheasant scent and liberally soak the wings before playing retrieve. Get him all excited by putting it in his face, drag it on the ground like playing keep away and then throw it. Be patient.

Yeah, I was going to say zip-tie a pheasant pelt or pheasant wings/tail to the dummy with some scent. That should get him going too.

Just in case you're not doing so, don't forget enthusiasm over the dummy. Get him "pumped up" about the whole thing.

When you throw the dummy into the field are you in the field with your dog, or on the outside of the field--throwing the dummy in?

For now, make sure you're in the field with him when you throw the dummy. He's new to it, but has some experience so he should get right back at it once he has the hang of it again.

He'll get it.

 

[UplandHntr]

not using an e collar are you? Keep him out of dog parks etc where theres a lot of distractions. The light will go on and youll have a bird crazed dog in no time. Just keep it fun!

 

[mustistuff]

dog training

problem most people have with training a dog is that you have to be smarter than the dog. your dog knows the difference between play training and having fun in the field. use the example above, that may help, another thing you can do is take a few wings and when you are out walking the dog in what it thinks is a hunting area drop or throw the wings when he isn't looking, he should find them and bring them back, don't really think you have a problem at all, in the mean time spend a $100 and take the dog to a preserve or get a bird to shoot. don't use the excuse that the dog is inexperienced, do something about it, a one year old lab should be able to hunt pheasants and be good at it. two years old is getting old. good luck with your mutt

cheers

 

[jonnyB]

You didn't mention if you taught the dog "dead- bird."

I use this command/dog talk with my dog. Every time I throw the dummy or hide the dummy I tell him "dead bird." I use this when I hide a dummy in the house; fun event and can be challenging for the dog.

Same command is used in the field, especially when the dog doesn't see the bird fall, or there are multiple birds down.

Using this "dog talk" he'll soon understand there's a dummy or bird where he's instructed to search, in the field, park or in the house.

Good luck.

 

[david0311]

david0311

problem most people have with training a dog is that you have to be smarter than the dog. your dog knows the difference between play training and having fun in the field. use the example above, that may help, another thing you can do is take a few wings and when you are out walking the dog in what it thinks is a hunting area drop or throw the wings when he isn't looking, he should find them and bring them back, don't really think you have a problem at all, in the mean time spend a $100 and take the dog to a preserve or get a bird to shoot. don't use the excuse that the dog is inexperienced, do something about it, a one year old lab should be able to hunt pheasants and be good at it. two years old is getting old. good luck with your mutt

cheers

OH LORD!!!!! I'm in agreement with--



Mustistuff--is 100% right on--you have a very sharp dog--catch up to him--in the field he wants birds--get him some-- hit the preserve--by some birds--freeze for future use --keep dog working on birds when ever possible--

good luck--dc

 

[carptom1]

OH LORD!!!!! I'm in agreement with--



Mustistuff--is 100% right on--you have a very sharp dog--catch up to him--in the field he wants birds--get him some-- hit the preserve--by some birds--freeze for future use --keep dog working on birds when ever possible--

good luck--dc

You can't agree with him in public, it only encourages him.

As much as anything you have a confidence problem. I am by no means a professional, but I have trained a few Labs. Some are born with incredible drives, will run through a brick wall to get to a retrieve, others have to be encouraged more. As Nick said, get the dog accustomed to the cover by walking through it with short retrieves while in there with him. Slowly increase the distances and he should be gaining confidence. On a dog like this, I would refrain from a collar, use encouragement only while always ending on a positive note. The most important part of training for me is ending positively and before I get too frustrated.

Another thing to try is find a buddy with a dog that likes to retrieve, tie your dog up and spend some time praising the other dog while he crashes the brush. That will drive a dog nuts. Soon he will forget all about his reservations.

 

[padave]

not using an e collar are you? Keep him out of dog parks etc where theres a lot of distractions. The light will go on and youll have a bird crazed dog in no time. Just keep it fun!

I did use a e collar for a short time and realized it was counter productive.

 

[padave]

I did use a e collar for a short time and realized it was counter productive.

BTW I didn't ever use it on any higher setting then 2-3 and mostly vibrate mode, I did notice it was more distracting to him then anything else.

 

[padave]

problem most people have with training a dog is that you have to be smarter than the dog. your dog knows the difference between play training and having fun in the field. use the example above, that may help, another thing you can do is take a few wings and when you are out walking the dog in what it thinks is a hunting area drop or throw the wings when he isn't looking, he should find them and bring them back, don't really think you have a problem at all, in the mean time spend a $100 and take the dog to a preserve or get a bird to shoot. don't use the excuse that the dog is inexperienced, do something about it, a one year old lab should be able to hunt pheasants and be good at it. two years old is getting old. good luck with your mutt

cheers

:thumbsup:

 

[padave]

Next time you bag a planted Phez, cut off both wings and attach them to the retrieving dummy. Get yourself some pheasant scent and liberally soak the wings before playing retrieve. Get him all excited by putting it in his face, drag it on the ground like playing keep away and then throw it. Be patient.

Great point. thanks

 

[padave]

You didn't mention if you taught the dog "dead- bird."

I use this command/dog talk with my dog. Every time I throw the dummy or hide the dummy I tell him "dead bird." I use this when I hide a dummy in the house; fun event and can be challenging for the dog.

Same command is used in the field, especially when the dog doesn't see the bird fall, or there are multiple birds down.

Using this "dog talk" he'll soon understand there's a dummy or bird where he's instructed to search, in the field, park or in the house.

Good luck.

No I never used that command, but I did start on it today after work for a bit. thanks for the advice.

 

[padave]

You can't agree with him in public, it only encourages him.

As much as anything you have a confidence problem. I am by no means a professional, but I have trained a few Labs. Some are born with incredible drives, will run through a brick wall to get to a retrieve, others have to be encouraged more. As Nick said, get the dog accustomed to the cover by walking through it with short retrieves while in there with him. Slowly increase the distances and he should be gaining confidence. On a dog like this, I would refrain from a collar, use encouragement only while always ending on a positive note. The most important part of training for me is ending positively and before I get too frustrated.

Another thing to try is find a buddy with a dog that likes to retrieve, tie your dog up and spend some time praising the other dog while he crashes the brush. That will drive a dog nuts. Soon he will forget all about his reservations.

solid advice thanks.

 

[Ditchmaster]

Tri-Tronics Retriever Training Book

This book is a little old but will take you through every step of the training process and it will be good for future dogs. My lab really is a one minded machine and an elitist as we only hunt pheasants. Beyond the boredom of a training bumper some dogs just don't get excited about them and won't respond if they are natural retrievers as opposed to a force fetch method. I have found that my dog goes ga-ga for a Dokken pheasant bumper as that is a visual cue of her sworn enemy, really that's all we use I have about 20. Its never to late to reinforce yard work and I don't think you should use the collar until you've been through that process. The other trick I use to fire up the dog is to use a launcher that accommodates the little dokken duck, my dog loves to train with that apparatus, it is low cost, and best of all you can do it alone. The heads come off the duck but my dog doesn't care. Good luck and if your dog comes back when you call it you've done a lot more than a lot of the out of control dogs barreling across the country side. I have no affiliation with the book or products.

Good Luck

 

[padave]

This book is a little old but will take you through every step of the training process and it will be good for future dogs. My lab really is a one minded machine and an elitist as we only hunt pheasants. Beyond the boredom of a training bumper some dogs just don't get excited about them and won't respond if they are natural retrievers as opposed to a force fetch method. I have found that my dog goes ga-ga for a Dokken pheasant bumper as that is a visual cue of her sworn enemy, really that's all we use I have about 20. Its never to late to reinforce yard work and I don't think you should use the collar until you've been through that process. The other trick I use to fire up the dog is to use a launcher that accommodates the little dokken duck, my dog loves to train with that apparatus, it is low cost, and best of all you can do it alone. The heads come off the duck but my dog doesn't care. Good luck and if your dog comes back when you call it you've done a lot more than a lot of the out of control dogs barreling across the country side. I have no affiliation with the book or products.

Good Luck

That all sounds interesting, I'll look in to that. Thanks.

 

[padave]

Has anyone use the Scott Linden dead bird dummy? If so how did you and the dog like it ?

 

[david0311]

david0311

Has anyone use the Scott Linden dead bird dummy? If so how did you and the dog like it ?

Dokken-Linden dummies--great sales men-ship --on their part--appeal to dog owners-- paying those prices when they are of no more value for training than regular bumpers makes no sense --IMO

Real birds the key--

Don't want to upset anyone--JMO :cheers:

 

[Ditchmaster]

Dokken-Linden dummies--great sales men-ship --on their part--appeal to dog owners-- paying those prices when they are of no more value for training than regular bumpers makes no sense --IMO

Real birds the key--

Don't want to upset anyone--JMO :cheers:

I respectfully disagree especially if a dog was introduced to birds and was not forced fetched and is retrieving soley on instincts. The value is that the dog can associate with something it enjoys or likes. If you are following the methods in the book I suggested then a dog will retrieve anything you tell it to and bumpers canvas or plastic will do the trick and be more cost effective. Not all dog owners are familiar with that training and it is way more cost effective and practical at this age to spend 25.00 bucks then to send your dog for a professional training or subject it to methods it may or may not come through ok. To be more specific, try one and see how it goes. Why spend money on bumpers, just use old tennis balls they kind of look like quail?

 

[BrownDogsCan2]

I respectfully disagree especially if a dog was introduced to birds and was not forced fetched and is retrieving soley on instincts. The value is that the dog can associate with something it enjoys or likes. If you are following the methods in the book I suggested then a dog will retrieve anything you tell it to and bumpers canvas or plastic will do the trick and be more cost effective. Not all dog owners are familiar with that training and it is way more cost effective and practical at this age to spend 25.00 bucks then to send your dog for a professional training or subject it to methods it may or may not come through ok. To be more specific, try one and see how it goes. Why spend money on bumpers, just use old tennis balls they kind of look like quail?

You say that, but I bet a tennis ball would get that dog fired up in the field. Sometimes all it takes is something a little bit different.

 

[mustistuff]

right

train the mutt to fetch the tennis ball in pheasant country and then when the time comes you shoot a pheasant, tell the dog to go fetch, he runs right past the dead bird and is gone for 20 min. trying to find the tennis ball, good luck with that one. years ago there were a number of articles on retrieving, some stating the dog should retrieve anything asked. one suggested don't ever use a beer can, there are just too many of them out there, would drive the mutt crazy trying to bring them all back, in the mean time, forget about the bird.
have fun. just trying to help

cheers