utectok Posted April 25, 2011 Report Share Posted April 25, 2011 Ok my wee cocker is going great its just she is more and more reluctant to let go of retrieved birds. She wasn't so bad last season but today she hung onto the crows like her life depended on it. What's the best way to train proper delivery?? Otherwise we will have some fairly mangled pheasants and pigeons :blink: She loses interest once i put the bird down and is fine up till the point she is about to give it to me then she gets exceptionally excited and hangs on like nothing else. I tried waiting and calming her, but I'm sure its not unique and someone will know how to put her straight! Cheers Will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKPoacher Posted April 25, 2011 Report Share Posted April 25, 2011 Firstly, I would never send a dog to retrieve a crow or any corvid unless it was dead, shot three times and beheaded! A dog's eyes are irreplacable. One reason for a dog to hang onto retrieved quarry is down to it being possessive. Try coaxing the dog in then putting the bird down in the hide next to where the dog lays. Leave that bird there while you are shooting others. The dog should be more willing to retrieve birds to hand as long as the one next to its place is still there. My own dog is reluctant to retrieve the first bird unless it is wounded when she can't wait to hand it over for dispatch. Once she has 'her' bird next to the mat where she lays she will bring everything back straight away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted April 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2011 Thanks that's an interesting idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted April 25, 2011 Report Share Posted April 25, 2011 I should seek the help of a pro who can get to actually see this happening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted April 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2011 Mmm also good advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted April 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2011 I have a wee training session lined up at the beginning of next month I will ask then. Mind she is not so bad at giving up dummies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted April 26, 2011 Report Share Posted April 26, 2011 I have a wee training session lined up at the beginning of next month I will ask then. Mind she is not so bad at giving up dummies. I wouldn't take her bird shooting until I had the problem sorted with dummies 100% then cold game 100%. How is her recall? I would do some recall work on a narrow path then introduce a retrieve in the same area as a start, but as kent says it is difficult to call without seeing the dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mymwood Posted April 26, 2011 Report Share Posted April 26, 2011 Common characteristic in the 'wee' dogs I've trained quite a few and made a couple of them up to champs. I've seen this prob quite a few times, often with woodcock, snipe, sometimes with rabbits. There is no 'right way' to sort it, only differnet things to try They include, as dog stands in front of you, gently step on one front foot of the dog as you take the bird, this encourages them to release try wrapping bird in a pop sock, easier release. try repetetive retrieves, not too many, but enough so that the excitment of the moment wains do you really, really praise on arrival, so dog thinks 'wow i'm about to get praised big time, and gets excited? If so, ease back on it, make it more routine, less exciting, so dog less likely to expect big praise just a few ideas to suggest good luck Mart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted April 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2011 Thanks for all the suggestions. Your right I do praise her alot when she returns with the game perhaps to much but I'm a bit soft on her I suppose. She returns well enough with the bodies ( only occasionally drops the bird short) the trouble starts really when she is at my feet and on her hind legs like a demented mad thing. Thanks for your help anyhows I'll let you know how we get on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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