Shaking game on retrieve..

[skipper88]

Hi,Got a bit of a problem with my 14 month old Springer.He seems to shake warm game on pick up befor bringing it back to me.He does not do this with dummies.Also seems to be a bit hard mouthed with birds also.Anyone help...

[straightbarrel]

Hi,Got a bit of a problem with my 14 month old Springer.He seems to shake warm game on pick up befor bringing it back to me.He does not do this with dummies.Also seems to be a bit hard mouthed with birds also.Anyone help...

 

Mate, your dog has aged 1 month today? It was 13 months this morning in your welcome intro?

[cracker]

Go back at it with cold game for your training. Put the dog on a checkcord - 25-30 feet - and have someone else throw a dead bird or rabbit. Soon as the dog gets his mouth on game, "reel him in" furiously whilst blowing your come-in whistle. If the dog doesn't have his mouth securely on the game he's been sent to retrieve, or if he drops it whilst en route back to you, makes no never mind - keep a'reeling. The retrieve's secondary - it must be inculcated to the dog that the return supersedes everything else, AND that the dog doesn't have the option to shake, rattle or roll game.

 

There's a little strategy called force fetch in the States that's often used for correcting bad mouth habits and headstrong behaviour, it works a charm, but even if were so inclined to have a go, it really ain't necessary in fixing this problem.

 

Good luck,

 

MG

[eccles]

Have you had him retrieving cold game.If you have gone from dummies straight to fresh shot game.The smell and warmth puts a lot of young dogs off and gets them to excited.Get him on cold game put it in an old stocking don't throw it far a few yards to start with as soon as he picks it up call him in.Then just increase the distance bit by bit.Only do this a few time per session until he gets the hang of it.

Then try the same thing with a bird or rabbit that been shot half hour earlier, do the same as before.Just be calm dont get him to excited Dont let him retrieve fresh game until he gets the hang of the cold stuff.

[skipper88]

Mate, your dog has aged 1 month today? It was 13 months this morning in your welcome intro?

Well smart a-- my wife corrected me on the next post.Thats what wives are for.You got to get it right

[skipper88]

Have you had him retrieving cold game.If you have gone from dummies straight to fresh shot game.The smell and warmth puts a lot of young dogs off and gets them to excited.Get him on cold game put it in an old stocking don't throw it far a few yards to start with as soon as he picks it up call him in.Then just increase the distance bit by bit.Only do this a few time per session until he gets the hang of it.

Then try the same thing with a bird or rabbit that been shot half hour earlier, do the same as before.Just be calm dont get him to excited Dont let him retrieve fresh game until he gets the hang of the cold stuff.

Thanks for your advice.He has no problem with cold game Pidgeons etc.Ive done the training with tights with game and cold pidgeons.But i will take your advice and go back to the basics again i think.Thanks again.Il let you know how it goes ..

[skipper88]

Go back at it with cold game for your training. Put the dog on a checkcord - 25-30 feet - and have someone else throw a dead bird or rabbit. Soon as the dog gets his mouth on game, "reel him in" furiously whilst blowing your come-in whistle. If the dog doesn't have his mouth securely on the game he's been sent to retrieve, or if he drops it whilst en route back to you, makes no never mind - keep a'reeling. The retrieve's secondary - it must be inculcated to the dog that the return supersedes everything else, AND that the dog doesn't have the option to shake, rattle or roll game.

 

There's a little strategy called force fetch in the States that's often used for correcting bad mouth habits and headstrong behaviour, it works a charm, but even if were so inclined to have a go, it really ain't necessary in fixing this problem.

 

Good luck,

 

MG

Thanks MG. I took him beating yesterday but kept him on the lead most of the day.Just let him off to do some flushing now and again.I took a dead cold bird and threw it out abour 20ft and sent him out he picked it up as sweet as a nut and brought it back.No probs there.Then just befor finish of the day he pegged a bird and i think there is where the trouble lies.I think he had a fight with it it wasnt good.So its live birds he has a problem with.The keeper suggested he might have been spirred or somthing like that and he is a bit heavy with live birds.But i am going back to basics.Every thing else he is brilliant at so just need to iron out this problem.Any advice is always received with gratitude..Once again thanks for your time ..Nicky

[Spaniel]

I thought that in some cases the dog would shake the bird out of excitement of returning with the retrieve.

[cracker]

Nicky, inclined to agree with the keeper as to what's behind this business. But again, if you can get the dog returning pronto, without any attention to a flapping (or spurring) bird - easier said than done - everything should clear (and clean) up. Hard to do in a controlled situation, though - you don't want to intentionally maim a bird or bunny, so it could take a while before you have this kind or retrieving opportunity.

 

If the dog's got a penchant for plucking or piercing birds, it could be tough to overcome - and could induce hardmouth. But if you keep up the repetition of a speedy, tunnel-vision return whether with dummies or cold game, he could outgrow or get over the shaking and thrashing of bigger birds.

 

spaniel, ain't many gundogs capable of shaking a big honker in their excitement at retrieving it. They usually pick it (pick its feathers) instead. Something else that shouldn't be allowed to become habit. Must say it's gratifying when a little dog

 

 

will take one on, however - with retrieving it

 

 

and not fighting it the objective, of course.

 

MG

[skipper88]

Nicky, inclined to agree with the keeper as to what's behind this business. But again, if you can get the dog returning pronto, without any attention to a flapping (or spurring) bird - easier said than done - everything should clear (and clean) up. Hard to do in a controlled situation, though - you don't want to intentionally maim a bird or bunny, so it could take a while before you have this kind or retrieving opportunity.

 

If the dog's got a penchant for plucking or piercing birds, it could be tough to overcome - and could induce hardmouth. But if you keep up the repetition of a speedy, tunnel-vision return whether with dummies or cold game, he could outgrow or get over the shaking and thrashing of bigger birds.

 

spaniel, ain't many gundogs capable of shaking a big honker in their excitement at retrieving it. They usually pick it (pick its feathers) instead. Something else that shouldn't be allowed to become habit. Must say it's gratifying when a little dog

 

 

will take one on, however - with retrieving it

 

 

and not fighting it the objective, of course.

 

MG

thanks MG.Ive decided to go right back to basics with retrieves.cant do any harm and hes a young dog so plenty of time and need to get it right.Not the dogs fault if anything its mine.dog is as good as its trainer i think.thanks to you for your info thou there is some nice guys on here willing to help..Happy Guy faukes day ..Nicky