big simmo999 Posted August 10, 2006 Report Share Posted August 10, 2006 I have a yellow Labrador, who works fine except she occasionally throws a strange trait into her retrieves. She will work perfectly, then on being sent out for a retrieve, she picks the bird up, and then sits down with it in her mouth. Only a large amount of shouting at her will get her to come in. It's as though she has been told to stay - and stay she does. After I manage to get her in, I treat her as normal. On the next retrieve (which when pigeon shooting may only be minutes) she goes out, retrieves and comes back with no problems. I cannot tell when the "quirky" retreive come as she shows no indications prior or after it! She has never done it with dummy's - only warm game. Can anybody throw some light onto it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted August 10, 2006 Report Share Posted August 10, 2006 Best ask NTTF mate. I am sure he will be able to shed some light on your problem. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted August 10, 2006 Report Share Posted August 10, 2006 BS999, Does this happen when there are single birds down, multiple birds down or you are not sure? Is there anything else happening or going on when this behaviour occurs? Any additional information you can give? NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big simmo999 Posted August 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2006 just single birds, but thinking back it happens more with pigeons (but I shoot more pigeons than anything else) no warning, she goes out ok, picks the bird, turns to come in and the just lies down holding it. totally oblivious to whistle command. If I really shout "fetch" or come here I can normally get her in. It might happen twice in a days shooting. Last Tuesday she did it twice - but retrieved 19 birds perfectly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 Is she appearing disorentated when this happens? I am wondering if she is having a small seisure at this point. Is it occurring after a number of retrieves, or can it happen during the first retrieve? Close your eyes and go through each step of the problem from the time the bird is shot until it is in your hand. While doing this pay particular attention to what is happening with the dog. Now type it out step by step. Let me know if you need to go out with the dog again before you can do this.....perfect excuse to go hunting.....pay close attention to her face , body motions, and eyes during the episode. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big simmo999 Posted August 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 Done what you said but I still cannot see any indications. At first I thought maybe i was confusing her by whistling her back in, so once she went on a marked retrieve I just left her to it. I think it has happened the most on the longest retrieves (and they are not that long, only 50 yards or so) but in training I can get her out 150 yards! I'm going out again next week - so I'll pay attention to her and let you know how we got on Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big simmo999 Posted August 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2006 Hello again NTTF, been out with her again this week and she's done it three times. It's not always when she picks the bird, it happened this week on a blind retrieve. She looked at me for directions and when I indicated the direction, she just dropped and stayed. Only a lot of shouting got her to come back. When she came back, I patted her, sent her out on the right line and she found and retrieved the bird. It seems as though she has mis-understood the command - so she defaults to drop (which I have never taught her, I have only ever taught her to sit) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted August 29, 2006 Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 Simmo, I have put alot of thought into this one and I keep coming up with a feeling that this could be a medical not a training problem. I would like to rule this out before going any further. Has your dog had a recent though exam, and has she ever shown any signs of epolepsy? I keep getting a feeling that she may be having mini seizures when this happens and is becoming basically blacked out. I have known this to happen in labs before. The good news is most grow out of it and those that dont their siezures can be controlled with medication. Here is the tricky part, there is no test that indicates if epolepsy is present or not. The next time this happens look at her eyes and see if she has a blank or vacant look.....kind of looking right through you.....and look to see if she is at all disorientated when she starts to respond. If you see any thing talk it over with your Vet and discuss your concerns. Also give the breeder a call and ask if there has been any signs of the diesease in any other related dogs. If this all comes up as negative let me know and I will come up with a bit of a training plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavman Posted August 29, 2006 Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 Blimey Big S I sure hope the dogs ok, wathcing this thread with interest, good luck pavman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big simmo999 Posted August 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Thanks for that nttf - should have been going out with her tomorrow, unfortunatley got a lot of work to do on the house If it were a mental problem, would it not occur on a long walk or when i'm beating?. I been beating a season with her and she has been fine I'll keep you informed, once again thanks Big Simmo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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