Advice needed on springer

[white flash]

Have a trained springer spaniel which does memory and marked retrieves. The problem I am having is she has always done a blind retrieve but has suddenly stopped and won't entertain it. She won't budge from my feet. Has anyone any ideas on how to correct this.cheers

[UKPoacher]

It will be loss of confidence. Sometimes this could be caused by the dog not finding previous retrieves or having to work too hard for too little reward.

 

Go back to basics. Try a few seen retrieves then let the dog see the dummy but walk her away and send her from a distance. A few easy, fun retrieves will restore her confidence.

[E.w.]

Have a trained springer spaniel which does memory and marked retrieves. The problem I am having is she has always done a blind retrieve but has suddenly stopped and won't entertain it. She won't budge from my feet. Has anyone any ideas on how to correct this.cheers

Are you doing this as a training session or are you out on a shoot day please explain.

[white flash]

Hi yes it's in a training session. I have him sitting next to me I cover his eyes throw a dummy then tell him to get out he just sits looking back at me. Totally brilliant at anything else. So frustrating since he used to do it great.

[Mochastorm]

Have you considered using cold game instead of dummies. It may rev him him up a gear, and the retrieve reward becomes more desirable.

[white flash]

Hi mocha.Tried rabbits,pheasants.When I,am out training I get him to hup in front of me.I then put my hand over his eyes so he can't see me throwing dummy then send him out to retrieve.He just stands there looking up at me like he doesn't know what to do.He used to be great at doing blinds.Any advice will be much appreciated.Cheers

[E.w.]

I think ukpoacher gave you a good answer, the only other thing is let him see the dummy thrown a couple of times in the same spot, then put your hand over his eyes as you do, but throw the dummy to the same spot, you can then start throwing the dummy left or right of the same spot, but remember keep it simple and your dog will soon be back on track.

Edited November 22, 2016 by E.w.

[ips]

I am fairly new to dog training so forgive my audacity, but, have you tried a pre planted dummy as a blind ? Maybe its the hand over the eyes that is effecting the dog ??

[tiny tim]

How old is she?

[white flash]

Hi tiny,dog is 21month old.

[bigbird]

I would go back to the multiple memory IF he's still excited about retrieving dummies...

[tiny tim]

as big bird says but as she says If

the dog must have a passion for the dummy or you will have to spice things up wings on dummy fur

is it too much steadiness training making the dog not sure if it can go

has it seen live game ,some dogs lose the passion for the dummy when they have got amongst the real thing

[bigbird]

How often do you train and for how long?

[bigbird]

And very good point tinytim, has he retrieved game at all although that shouldn't make him refuse point blank to go out for a retrieve, if he used to do it fine then please don't take offence, we've all done it, the problem is something you are / aren't doing.

Too many difficult blinds? Multiple memories into a corner of a field.

Too much handling - has your dog had too many difficult to find blinds, had to be handled a lot and then still not found them?

Had game in which case dummies are no fun but I suspect this isn't the case here.

Have you changed the command to 'get out' 'back' or whatever?

Have you been training with other dogs who have run in on your dog's retrieves?

Have you done lot of stopping on the way to a retrieve and then sending back?

As a couple of people have said this defo sounds like a confidence issue.

Can you ask whoever you bought him from for a refresher?

Sorry for all the questions!

[white flash]

Thanks very much for all comments and ideas.That gives me a good foundation to work on.Hopefully it will come good again.Thanks again.

[Mochastorm]

Don't know if this would work but always worth a try. You state that you cover the eyes, throw dummy and he won't go out. Sit the dog allow it to face where you are going to throw the dummy, hand over the face, but not obscuring the eyes so the dog can still see. Throw the dummy and send for the retrieve. I know that it is not a blind but it will then associate the face covering with a retrieve. Repeat a few times, dummy to the same place until on the final occasion you cover the eyes and see how you go on. I know that would then become a memory, but then work from there. Maybe the face covering could be the issue. The dog should trust you more if it gets a retrieve each time. Remember if it was easy they wouldn't be so much fun.

[white flash]

Great fun mocha rather beat and work the dog than shoot.Its right what you say if it was easy they wouldn't be so much fun,just like pigeon shooting.Cheers mate.