Please Critique What I'm Doing

B

B.Kossum

New member
Yea, so I've got a 9 week old Feist/Jack Russell mix that I am trying to turn into a bird dog. I also just hatched 27 Bobwhites two weeks ago. Anyways, we've been doing short obedience sessions followed by a little fetch (with a bird or with a sock) afterwards. I don't think she considers the fetch part of training, so neither do I lol.

Inside with treats the dog is rock solid with sit, stay, come, and drop it (the fetch toy- not birds) and getting better outside. She responds great to commands with a treat or toy, but she's terrible without one or the other. Is that gonna be a problem later?

I was having trouble getting her to drop the fetch toy, so I came up with the great idea of using treats to get her to drop it. Now brings it to me, sits down, and drops the toy. How do I get her to put it straight in my hand or is that a non-issue?

Also, how should I be using my birds? As of now, I have been letting them go under my bed (there's all kind of stuff under there for them to hide- oh and I squeeze the poop out of them first so they don't use the bathroom while inside lol) and then I send her under on a leash for her to fish them out. I don't have a problem getting her to me because she's on lead, but she absolutely will not let go of the bird. Should I use treats to get her to do comply here? I also put her on a 15 foot or so lead and toss the birds out to about that distance. She brings them back pretty good (not fighting the leash), but again will not let them go. I figure she must have somewhat of a soft mouth though because she has yet to injure one of the birds.

Anyways, any other ideas on how to use my birds- both now and as them and the pup grow? I know the dog is young, so I'm not putting any pressure on her. I've never trained a dog, but she seems to take it all as a game. I always quit while she's into it. I don't know squat but I think she is having fun, so I'm not too worried about moving too fast.

Thanks for reading this and for any advice you could offer.

Brian
 
Blow into her ear. Then she will open her mouth.

How old is the pup?
Just keep it fun let her make mistakes that is how she will learn.
 
That is cool, a jack/ fiest mix will be a great little bird dog! I started my springer out much the same way as you and he is a great bird dog now. If blowing in the ear doesn't work for "drop" try lifting the pups hind quarters off the ground by its tail. That worked well on my brothers female springer. Good luck and post some pics of the pup when you get a chance, I love terriers!
 
force fetch, but not sure this non hunting breed will take it very well.
you need to read up on the technique and begin at the apporpriate age.
 
No offense hunter94 but both JRT and fiest dogs are hunting dogs. Most ATF kennels even market their dogs as dual purpose squirrel/ bird dogs.

I don't think you will need to FF this dog. Every terrier I've ever owned (JRT and pitbull terriers) have been extremely intelligent, extremely willing to please master, and all have shown sheer pleasure in retrieving. Give pup some time I think she will come around great.
 
Asking way to much out of such a young pup. Take it slow.
,very slow at this age. Love and lots of different exposures should be the only thing for this young of a pup.....:cheers:
 
@Quail hound- It's nice to see another terrier guy in here. I've had Pit Bulls all my life and everyone of them has been just as you described. I considered getting a typical bird dog breed, but really wanted to stick with a terrier (that and the price difference helped me make up my mind). I'll get some pics up of her and the birds tomorrow- gotta work this evening.

@hunter- Yea, I don't think I will have to force fetch her. She retrieves anything I throw for her, just doesn't want to let go of the birds lol. Her mom and dad were straight up squirrel dogs, but would flush birds and other small animals. A flush dog is all I'm asking her to be.

@Oggie- I know what you're saying, but I'm not really asking anything of her now. Just wondering about in the future and wanting to make sure I'm not unintentionally establishing any bad habits with her. I just figured if we was gonna play, we might as well play with an aim towards her future job ya know.

Thanks for all ya'lls input.
 
I want to see a :coolpics: of the pup.

As a kid I hunted with a fox Terrier good farm dog lots of drive for a kid armed with a pellet gun we would chase things all day when we could get away.
 
I posted some pics of the pup in another thread. I just wanted to say that blowing in the ear works. My only problem is I am playing with live birds (that are super quick) and so I have to have a hold of the bird before she releases. I believe if the birds were dead I could get her to drop them at my feet. Right now when I grab the bird she thinks I'm play tug-o-war or taking her favorite toy. Thanks for all ya'lls input and I hope ya'll get to check out the pics. Still need some ideas on how to use these quail on my small neighborhood lot without killing them.
 
could you freeze a couple Quail to play fetch with?
Put a long string on the birds let her flush them then toss a dead one to fetch.
you could retrieve the string quail later without the pup??? Just an idea

What thread are the pics in?
 
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