Royboy Posted August 3, 2015 Report Share Posted August 3, 2015 Hi my lab is struggling to find a dummy if he doesn't mark it, he relies on me commanding him to it, is there a way I can make him use his nose more ? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teal27 Posted August 3, 2015 Report Share Posted August 3, 2015 Have you tried hiding something like a treat in the home and just telling him to find it With no directions? That's what I started doing with my cocker when she was younger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royboy Posted August 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2015 No mate I'll try that, a mate of mine told me to do the same Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teal27 Posted August 3, 2015 Report Share Posted August 3, 2015 I think it would work well for labs as most will Do all most anything for a treat, my cockers just turned 9 months and I now do blind retrieves in the dark so she has to use her nose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royboy Posted August 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2015 Another good idea cheers pal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millomite Posted August 4, 2015 Report Share Posted August 4, 2015 (edited) Stop commanding him, let him get on with it. Why isn't he marking them or are you meaning on blind retrieves, i.e. a dummy you've thrown out without the dog seeing purposely. Edited August 4, 2015 by Millomite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted August 4, 2015 Report Share Posted August 4, 2015 (edited) Are you giving him a trail to follow or just sending him on a blind retrieve ? I start mine at young age by putting their favorite ball / toy into light cover and encourage them to find it . I will also drag a dummy along via some string tide to a cane or such like while the dog cannot see me , I will then take him to the start of the scent and encourage him to find it , it Edited August 4, 2015 by fenboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted August 4, 2015 Report Share Posted August 4, 2015 Your dog probably just can't be bothered to find a soggy old piece of canvas that smells of nothing in particular. Do as others have said and take out one of his toys or at least rub the dummy on your hands to put some scent on it. If that fails put it under your arm pit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royboy Posted August 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2015 Yeah sorry I mean on a blind retrieve he could be close to it but just running over it, I'll try the dummy on a piece of string and cane, hopefully with real game the scent will be a lot stronger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saltings Posted August 4, 2015 Report Share Posted August 4, 2015 Put the dummies in his food bag if you have him on dried food and use the wind direction so the dog always works into the wind some times you have to send your dog off to one side of the dummy in order for him to sent it and turn in for the retrieve one foot up wind he will never find it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royboy Posted August 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2015 Put the dummies in his food bag if you have him on dried food and use the wind direction so the dog always works into the wind some times you have to send your dog off to one side of the dummy in order for him to sent it and turn in for the retrieve one foot up wind he will never find it .Another great idea ! Nice one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird Posted August 4, 2015 Report Share Posted August 4, 2015 It sounds like you've been doing a little bit too much handling with him so he's anticipating you directing him onto it instead on using his initiative. Some very good suggestions above, plus if sending him onto a blind/pile, put them in a corner, so he should wind them as he reaches the fence and it should encourage him to get his nose down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted August 4, 2015 Report Share Posted August 4, 2015 Put the dummies in his food bag if you have him on dried food and use the wind direction so the dog always works into the wind some times you have to send your dog off to one side of the dummy in order for him to sent it and turn in for the retrieve one foot up wind he will never find it +1 in the past I've also put a dummy in my game bag when pigeon shooting/picking up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickB65 Posted August 9, 2015 Report Share Posted August 9, 2015 Some good advise here. I also found Blue was getting lazy and not using his nose but looking to me for guidance. So now I ask him to find it and then when he looks to me I give no direction but just ask again and let him get on with it. Sometimes when we know where it is we think why can they not smell it or see it but we need to remember we are a lot higher up than they are. Try getting down to their level and it all looks very different. After a days game or pigeon shooting I will put a dummy in with the game so it picks up some of the scent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royboy Posted August 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2015 Yeah I've been pigeoning today and had the dummy amongst the pigeons, I took him with me and he performed brilliant scene as it's his first Decoying trip !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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