CollioureII Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 My springer pup is 3 months old , I bought her from a highly respected breeder that breeds hard working dogs, the breeder did warn me that these dogs are bred for hard cover and a very head strong. I bring her out 3 times a day and maybe give her 1 retrieve each day, from the day I brought her home the retrieves were perfect….she’s getting a bit confident know and she thinks the dummy is hers. I have done the running in the apposite direction which works put as she gets within 3 feet of you she’ll turn sharply and will scamper off with it…..I will not run after her. She doesn’t show that much interest in food treats, I’m not going to make a big deal out of it just think it through and try and get the dog in the frame of mind to please me…not give me the two fingers…as well she doesn’t really care if she gets praised or not….she is in no way a sensitive dog…she could be a very good dog I just have to be v careful in her training…personally I would prefer to train a more sensitive dog that required reassurance…this dog no reassurance required will throw herself into anything Any advice On another note, she has started to hunt this week as I bring her on her daily walks…..I walk her on stubble and she has started to flush the starlings…..she is staying within range…..so that’s working well with little or no guidance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracker Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 You're being very introspective about what and what not to do, which is a good thing. Just keep in mind, the pup is 3 months old and not of an age where she's defiant or misbehaving--in not bringing back the dummy to hand, she's only wanting to play. How you address this, or how I would, is give the pup more retrieves, not less, but have them in a confined and controlled situation--a corridor--where she has to return. The return is purely obedience, after all, nothing to do with the pup's retrieving ability. Get her in the habit of returning, that's the imperative, with or without the dummy. A check cord also will do the trick on top of the hallway work. When the pup runs out to the dummy and as soon she puts her mouth on it, blow the come-in whistle--pip-pip-pip for most--and "reel" her in. If the dummy falls out or if she hasn't secured it, and is forced to come in without it, she will get the message that the imperative is returning to you. That will also expedite a faster return with the bumper, maybe coming back as fast as she's gone out (mine do)--again, remember: her retrieving ability isn't in question here, her obedience (or lack of it as 3 month old pup, only natural) is. And you need to know that a 30-foot light check cord used a couple of times to drive home a point will not put a pup, particularly a gundog pup, off retrieving. Good luck, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 I agree with cracker that this pup needs more retrieves. I would add two things to his outline though: 1)when the pup comes in with the retrieves do not try to take the bumper immediately. Let her hold onto it and pet her up and praise her for 30 seconds to a minute. Remember the retrieve is her reward so she needs to get something out of this aswell. 2) I would not make these retrieves formal at first...(having her sit beside and waiting to be sent).....I would get her in beside me and make the throw if she breaks at the throw just now it is not a big deal she can be steadied later. Right now you want to keep the drive and desire up front. I would probably put a formal with a check cord once every 5 or 6 retrieves, and give her 12 to 24 retrieves a session. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CollioureII Posted December 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 cheers lads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 My 6.5 month old has started doing this aswell used to retrieve very well but started coming within 6 foot then running off or around me I never rush to take it off her andf have always rewarded her with alot of fuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sako751sg Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Forget anything about your dog being a gun dog for a few months.Play with the thing,a ball preferably,but its waayyyyyyyyyy too young for you to be worrying about problems with it.When the pup picks up the ball,give it loads of encouragement and praise,and this should make it want to come to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracker Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Way too young to worry about problems, but just the right age--both pups--to work at obedience (the return) so it doesn't become a problem. And why anyone would ever put a pup of any age on an abstinence diet from retrieving is one of life's great mysteries, or maybe misguided notions. MG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve0146 Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 It must be a game at this age. My lurcher is only now getting the hang of bring rabbits back and he is 18 months old. He is a deerhound cross and matures much later though. Keep it light and fun. Dont push the training and always end on a high. Even if you have to go back to something she is good at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CollioureII Posted December 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Well had a think about it....what does the dog really like 1/ Coming into house 2/ jumping onto beanbag in living room Threw ball from back door......as she runs out and picks it I open back door....yip she runs in...did that once....worked....a bit cold though reall success the beanbag...........threw the tennis ball off it loads of times.. did it in such a fashion that after a while she was only happy if she had it on the bean bag.......I let her hang to the ball for 30 secs or so....gently took it off her and then gave it back....let her see no hassle it's all fun....take again and after a while throw it..hang onto her and in excited way say go fetch..when she came back be v boisterous but leave her have it fun fun fun.....no fun not being on bean bag etc etc...did not make a sudden lunch for ball took it off her gently It has worked tonight might make a regular accurance.....gets her brain thinking diff...that bringing back is way more fun will let ytee know how I get on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackbart Posted December 5, 2009 Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 A little trick i learned with a young dog that start to do this is to sit down when he is outbound and when he turns to come back i would like to bet he comes straight to you When he does give him loads of praise,and have a bit play.He may jump into you so get ready to catch ! Try it a couple of times and then go back to normal retrieves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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