Some retrieving help?

[cheesy]

I have a 14 month old GSP. Hunted her on wild birds end of last year and tame birds in March. She never was spurred either of those hunts. In the yard she will retrieve anything and everything thrown for her, tennis balls, water bottles, canvas dummies, dummies with wings tied on, sqaush, cucumbers, it doesn't matter, if its thrown, she will retrieve it. If its thrown into the deep grass she will hunt for it until she finds it.

On pheasants it is different though. She will run to the bird, put her mouth on it, kind of roll it around, and then just stand there. If the bird is crippled and running she will chase it down with high intensity and hold it down, but won't still won't pick it up. She is definitely not scared of them.

The only thing I can think of is the yard work is with smaller items, and a pheasant is quite a bit bigger. Thinking of getting one of the pheasant sized dummies to try.

Also read another thread about the dog only associating retrieving with something that I personally have thrown. Will try and mix that up as well.

Any input or recommendations would be welcome.

 

[henhenROOSTER!!!]

"FORCE-FETCH"...If you are unable to do it yourself, it is the one thing from a professional trainer that is worth it's weight in gold!!!

 

[oldandnew]

sounds like she is normally soft mouthed, I think loose feathers cause some dog concerns, come out in the mouth, hard to grip softly, as well as the blood, and gut smell of shot game, may put her off a little. Exciting and overpowering all at once. Very young yet, time and experience are your ally. She has a good foundation. I would try dead cold birds, in the yard, go from there. I find all dogs,like people, have holes, some more than others, my guess she'll come around, probably about the time another dog tries to pick up her bird! if not sounds like a hole I personally could live with, since she hunts dead effectively. Before I spent a lot of time and anguish, I'd give it some time. Try calling her and walking away from her when she has a bird down,usually if she thinks you don't see her, she'll pick up the bird and catch up, very seldom do they leave the bird behind. Good Luck

 

[cheesy]

Very soft mouthed for sure, even my wife comments on that around the house when she is swiping food out of her hand....

Here she is on point. Wish the picture was more broadside to really see-but things happen fast.

I do agree, she has a great foundation and no complaints so far-

 

[HUNTIN4FUN]

Cheesy with me owning her mother I can tell you that her mom has one of the softest mouthes I have seen and that she is a good retriever. It sounds like she is just not connecting the two together yet. Like others have said as soon as she mouthes the bird turn and go the other way all the while giving her encouraging words to pick up the bird and bring it to your location. Timing is everything with this so you need to do it as soon as she mouthes the bird and not any earlier, just walk away backing up and continue to call to her. She will get it very quickly. Her sister is even better than momma and was just a true sweet heart from day one, the first bird I shot over her at 10 weeks old was brought right to hand. With a lot of repetition she will get it. You may also try quail first as to get her used to the whole feather thing first. Also if you do go the frozen bird route try to let the bird thaw some so that it has a more natural feeling for her, you want it to be as close to the real thing as possible. A check cord around the yard while doing these drills will help too by adding some soft encouragement to bring the bird to you. Hope this helps. If not send me a pm and I have a couple other things that will help you.

 

[Dakotazeb]

Chessy, it sounds like your dog has an excellent background with the mother and sister doing quite well. At 14 months the dog is still young. I'd give it some time along with a lot of encouragement. And tossing some of the shot birds in the yard for her might be a good idea. If by the time she is 2 years old and still not retrieving birds you may have to consider a Trained Retrieve Program (Force Fetch).

I have been having somewhat of a similar problem with my female Brittany that just turned 2. A retrieving fool in the yard and any place I throw dummies, etc. for her. Last season at a year old she was rretrieving but not real strong. She also was dropping birds about 5-6 feet short of me but I figured she would start bringing them to hand with more experience and maturity. This past spring I ran her in NSTRA trials and she was dropping about 50% of the birds short. I sent her off to her breeder/trainer this summer for a month of FF training figuring the problem would be solved. I'm still having the same issues. Her retrieving is stronger as she will grap the bird and come on a run to me. But is still dropping them a few feet short of me and will not deliver to hand. It's driving me nuts!!! I'm just dealing with it now until the end of the season, then I'll have to try something if she isn't bring to hand. I jsut can't have that happening in the trials.

Good luck!

 

[birdshooter]

"FORCE-FETCH"...If you are unable to do it yourself, it is the one thing from a professional trainer that is worth it's weight in gold!!!

I'll second that.

I have seen this kind of behavior before with young dogs. Sometimes if you do nothing, one day will come and the light will go on and they start bringing everything back. Even dogs that are very natural retrievers can refuse a retrieve once in a while for no apparent reason. Ultimately though FF will clean up all of the this.