molly2001 Posted January 23, 2010 Report Share Posted January 23, 2010 went on a walked up day today and shot a couple of rabbits for my 19 month old ess. i sent her for the retrieve and she messed about with it and wouldnt come back with it .while she was messing about with it you could here the ribs crunching do you think she will improve with experience or will she always be hard mouthed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKPoacher Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 It's hard to say without having seen it. Some dogs react differently if the game isn't dead and is still struggling. The best advice I can give is to go back to basics. Sit her in front of you and gently place the rabbit in her mouth in the correct position. Praise her gently whilst keeping it there then give the command to leave and take it away. Praise her again then repeat a minute or so later. Do this a few times then take a step back and get her to carry the rabbit to you. Once you have repeated this several times. Put the rabbit down a few feet away and send her to fetch it. The main aim of this exersise is to get the dog to understand how to hold game. Praise her gently when she's doing it right, change your tone to a more gruff inflextion the instant she tries to mouth or crush the game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pegleg31 Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 was it the first time she'd picked a rabbit? my cocker absolutely ragged the first phgeasent he picked,but he's fine with them now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 Were the rabbits dead, that could make a difference if the dog is not used to movement in his mouth? If they were (dead) I'll throw my lot in now and say I'd be very concerned about the dogs mouth... broken bones in game isn't mouthing or excitement, it's hard and I'm afraid that's that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molly2001 Posted January 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 (edited) it was her first rabbit and they were dead although she has retrieved pheasents alive Edited January 25, 2010 by molly2001 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 living pheasants are a good sign, has she had rabbit skin dummies? Or a cold rabbit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molly2001 Posted January 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 no first bit of fur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKPoacher Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 You've answered your own question - back to basics and she'll adjust to the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molly2001 Posted January 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 cheers lads i will try what ukpoacher says Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 You've answered your own question - back to basics and she'll adjust to the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.