Pup won't pick up bird

I

IsThisHeaven?

Member
I have a 6 month old springer. I am working on retrieving with her. When she finds and flushes a clip wing (pigeon or pheasant) she will pick the bird up with no problems. I use dead birds in the backyard. I sit her on the place board, then throw the dead maybe 4 or 5 feet. I have her on a check cord to get her to bring the birds back to me. The problem I am running into is she won't pick the dead bird up. If I go to pick it up she will pick it up. Do you have any ideas on how to get her to pick up the dead birds? Thanks for any thoughts or ideas.
 
So she retrieves clipwings and dummies... Is that correct? And she retrieves the dead bird when you move towards it?

What happens when you throw the dead bird further? Also, what happens if you get rid of the place board?
 
Yes she retrieves dummies, tennis balls, and will pick up clips wings that have been planted and run with them. She will nose the dead bird and mouth it, but she won't pick it up. She will pick it up if I reach over to pick it up. Throwing the dead bird farther doesn't seem to matter. With or without the place board doesnt seem to matter .
 
Try putting the bird in nylons. Maybe it's the feathers and oils that bother her. Then you slowly cut holes in it so more feathers are out.

But I wouldn't worry too much. She's just a puppy!
 
Give a treat like a small piece of hotdog when she brings the bird to you, even if you have to move as if to pick it up yourself. Pup will get the message.
 
Not to pick on Springer guys, but I have two buddies with Springers. One dog retrieves the other will not pick up a bird. One trainer told them Springers are not typically good retrievers and he finds more Springers that won't retrieve than those that will? I am not familiar with them that much, those of you that are have you seen this problem?
If this is the case maybe some different tricks to help dogs that are not prone to retrieving might be in order? I will follow this post closely so I can help my two buddies with their dogs as well!
 
I like the "nylon socks" idea...at 6 month's, I wouldn't be too concerned.

Has the dog gone through a puppy class - intro to gun and bird? Usually the dog will be very enthused after two weeks of clipped birds et al.
 
She retrieves everything else. She will flush a clipped wing, then pick it up and run with it. She did this with tennis balls to start. She was all over them if they were moving. When they stopped moving she lost interest. She is out of that phase now and will retrieve tennis balls or dummies all day and want more. Maybe it's just the fact she is a young as several have pointed out. If that's he case then no big deal. She's only been on clips a couple weeks. Maybe just more exposure to birds will help.

The nylon deal is a good idea. I will give that a try. I have heard the taste of texture of pigeons turns some dogs off.

I will try the treat idea too Brit. Hat has helped us through some issues already.

Most well bred springers retrieve. Some better than others but the vast majority retrieve. If my dog doesn't retrieve it would reflect on the dog herself, not the breed in general.
 
I hunted with a friend of mine that hunted a Brittany. His dog would find a cripple and stand on the bird. My friend didn't care about the retrieve part - just find the bird!

Would assume you are using the command "fetch." and he understands what that means. If you can train with another dog and your dog watches the dog retrieve, perhaps he'll get it...nothing like a little competition.
 
goldenboy said:
Not to pick on Springer guys, but I have two buddies with Springers. One dog retrieves the other will not pick up a bird. One trainer told them Springers are not typically good retrievers and he finds more Springers that won't retrieve than those that will? I am not familiar with them that much, those of you that are have you seen this problem?
If this is the case maybe some different tricks to help dogs that are not prone to retrieving might be in order? I will follow this post closely so I can help my two buddies with their dogs as well!
Click to expand...

This is not my experience with springers. Well bred, field bred springers love to retrieve. They live for it! Show lines, on the other hand, may be hit or miss. But I would never have a springer, or a spaniel for that matter, unless it retrieved enthusiastically. My springer runs the hardest when chasing down a mark.

Now spaniels aren't as keen on repetition as some labs, but I don't hold that against them.
 
IsThisHeaven? said:
I have a 6 month old springer. I am working on retrieving with her. When she finds and flushes a clip wing (pigeon or pheasant) she will pick the bird up with no problems. I use dead birds in the backyard. I sit her on the place board, then throw the dead maybe 4 or 5 feet. I have her on a check cord to get her to bring the birds back to me. The problem I am running into is she won't pick the dead bird up. If I go to pick it up she will pick it up. Do you have any ideas on how to get her to pick up the dead birds? Thanks for any thoughts or ideas.
Click to expand...

When she does pick it up how fast do you take it away from her.Are you more nervous or does your body language change. Tennis balls on or off lead...dummies? Have you tried using a whistle with or instead of the lead. Does she behave differently in the field than in the yard?
 
I give her some time when she picks it up. I have not been taking it from her. I get another bird out and show it to her. She will drop the bird she has and then I throw the second bird for her. I don't think I'm more nervous or act differently but I have no idea on that. She will retrieve tennis balls and dummies off lead reliably. Yes, I have tried a whistle instead of the lead. Her behavior is pretty similar in the yard compared to in the field.
 
mnaj_springer said:
This is not my experience with springers. Well bred, field bred springers love to retrieve. They live for it! Show lines, on the other hand, may be hit or miss. But I would never have a springer, or a spaniel for that matter, unless it retrieved enthusiastically. My springer runs the hardest when chasing down a mark.

Now spaniels aren't as keen on repetition as some labs, but I don't hold that against them.
Click to expand...

Both of my buddies bought their Springers at reputable springer breeders. Both have titles in their pedigrees and were sold as not show dogs but hunting dogs. The trainer who has trained many dogs for years siad he has not found success with springers and their retrieving. Mnaj you say your's are fine, any of you other springer guys want to give us some input? I do not see many springers run in hunt tests or field trials either. I know they are not as common as a lab but are there any really talented lines that are running against other retrievers? The only reason I am asking is that I want my buddies to succeed with their dogs. They have put time, money, and effort into these hunting partners and I want to help them succeed to get the most out of their partner.
 
Goldenboy, you could contact FCSpringer. His boy Odie is a fantastic dog, as well as his bitch River.

Another successful spaniel trainer is Morgan Haglin out of Pine Shadows.
 
Essfta

Check out the essfta.org website and some of the breeders on there. I bought my last Springer from Blue Tower Springers and that boy loves to retrieve! In fact both of my dogs are excellent and enthusiastic retrievers despite my training skills. I'm sure there are plenty out there that have no interest but I haven't seen any. I could see how a springer wouldn't take well to retrieving drills but making it fun I think really helps. Some may disagree with me on that but it has worked so far.
 
I have to agree with some of the others on this post. While I don't have my own ESS I know several people that do and all of them are very strong retrievers. Feel bad for your buddies if their dogs wont retrieve as I don't believe that is very common in field bred springers.

Also all of the guys I know run their dogs in ESS Field Trials, which among other things judges the dog on retrieving abilities. And none of them do retriever trials. Maybe why you don't see Springer's at the retriever trials?

Sorry to the OP for going off on a tangent.
 
I havent gone thru all of the posts but at 6 months is it possible your pup is teething? Picking up anything while teething is hit and miss.
 
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