Teaching retrieve

[THE GRIFF]

I have a 9 week old lab and want to start playing a game with her by throwing a puppy dummy for her to retrieve.

I have not yet tried doing it with her but know when I throw it she will go to it and just chew on it, how do I go about turning this into a game to make her bring it back?

[kent]

I have a 9 week old lab and want to start playing a game with her by throwing a puppy dummy for her to retrieve.

I have not yet tried doing it with her but know when I throw it she will go to it and just chew on it, how do I go about turning this into a game to make her bring it back?

 

don't rush things firstly. when the pup will come running back to you at the slightest encouragement - thats the time! play training like this should just mean fun and reward to the puppy, not imediate toy theft BTW

 

In non rerieving oriantated breeds start early IMO, in highly motivated rerievers get the recall sorted first is not a bad idea.

 

9 weeks is a baby and its far easier to spoil than make a dog at this age

[Greymaster]

Get your whistle and focus on the recall. Nothing too heavy, just pip the whistle to come for dinner. That's one reward.

 

Get down to pup's level and pip and encourage return, and big fuss and praise.

 

Later on when pup has retrieve object you can pip and a return will ensue...

[THE GRIFF]

Well, my mate brought a puppy dummy around for me tonight and couldn't resist having a play with Tara the pup.

I went out into the garden which was not ideal due to the distractions and the fact I just cut the grass at the weekend.

I sat down on the garden with Tara and threw the dummy about 3 yards, the first couple of times she ran to it pick it up then dropped it before coming back to me.

Then she started to pick it up and take it towards the ferret run and sit down and chew it, so I moved my position to the ferret run where she seemed to be taken it to. I threw it about another 6 times from the floor near the ferret run and each time she brought it back to me.

Considering this was the first time I have played fetch with her and all of the distractions such as the ferrets, Chickens and dried grass around I think she did really well.

We finnished on a positive note and think we will enjoy our new game in the the morning for 5 mins before I go to work.

I don't want to push her too much because she is so young but if we can play a game and she enjoys it then that's half the battle.

[kent]

Well, my mate brought a puppy dummy around for me tonight and couldn't resist having a play with Tara the pup.

I went out into the garden which was not ideal due to the distractions and the fact I just cut the grass at the weekend.

I sat down on the garden with Tara and threw the dummy about 3 yards, the first couple of times she ran to it pick it up then dropped it before coming back to me.

Then she started to pick it up and take it towards the ferret run and sit down and chew it, so I moved my position to the ferret run where she seemed to be taken it to. I threw it about another 6 times from the floor near the ferret run and each time she brought it back to me.

Considering this was the first time I have played fetch with her and all of the distractions such as the ferrets, Chickens and dried grass around I think she did really well.

We finnished on a positive note and think we will enjoy our new game in the the morning for 5 mins before I go to work.

I don't want to push her too much because she is so young but if we can play a game and she enjoys it then that's half the battle.

 

 

without wishing to ofend i await your post Dog stands off and wont deliver dummy. get yourself a few books or hook up with an experianced pro

[THE GRIFF]

without wishing to ofend i await your post Dog stands off and wont deliver dummy. get yourself a few books or hook up with an experianced pro

 

This is my first pup/gundog and am open to all advise.

I have been reading alot on the Internet and also watching YouTube and its difficult as everyone has different ways of doing things and starts at different ages. Alot have them retrieving dummies, sitting and the recall all started by 12 weeks.

Can you please expand on your last comment as to why she will stop retreiving the dummy.

Your advise will be greatly appreciated.

I am trying my best and really want this to work.

[kent]

This is my first pup/gundog and am open to all advise.

I have been reading alot on the Internet and also watching YouTube and its difficult as everyone has different ways of doing things and starts at different ages. Alot have them retrieving dummies, sitting and the recall all started by 12 weeks.

Can you please expand on your last comment as to why she will stop retreiving the dummy.

Your advise will be greatly appreciated.

I am trying my best and really want this to work.

 

You want a good delivery, then recal must come first. When you introduce the retrieve you give a puppy a big over the top fuss but dont take the ball / dummy whatever out its mouth till its almost forgotten it. Without recall the puppy will stand off (go under ferret hutch etc) to play with its new toy- you follow and start the "my dog stands off" thing.

 

Its a tiny baby at 9wks, get it started on house breaking and socialisation. Retrieving to hand realy is miles away presently. Get yourself a few books and hook up with a gundog man locally to mentor you and help fix issues as they arise

 

Trying realy hard is admirable but sometimes the best thing is leave well alone. Socialisation is the thing now. as many people of various ages and types should meet the puppy now, i carry mine into my kids playground in a game bag etc at this age. Once the jabs are finished get the pup out to other socialsed dogs as you can. Clapping your hands at feeding times etc, these are the areas you want to look at now