Retriever Training

Quinn got her first "title", actually a certificate in August. Her "WC" (working certificate) She had to do a land single, and two water singles. The Labrador WC is rather easy. She was a star. Her second water mark landed near the edge. She didn't see and went searching for it on land. She was not faulted as she was TRULY searching, not just running around. Finally she slowed down long enough to look at my husband who was handling her. He was staring at the bird, and she followed his eyes and found it. In her defense we had practiced with this club twice, at the location of the WC, and they had done water/land combo marks. So I think when she did not see the bird in the water, she assumed it was on land.

I can't wait to get my puppy and start training her. You can run them really young in field. I figure we will do that until she is old enough to do agility. 

Maxs Mom

So I didn't know if anyone here did any of this? It is a lot of fun, and a lot of work. 

I trained for, ran and judged AKC Hunt Tests for retrievers for many years.  It is a lot of fun and a lot of training.  Continued success with Quinn.

Cool maybe I can pick your brain too.

On the retriever boards I am on, Evan Graham posts a lot. It is nice because if you have questions he is willing to help. We bought is Smartworks program for our training tool.

Living in the suburbs makes it interesting to train. No we can't throw dead ducks at the public park. LOL We do belong to quite a few training groups.

Anne!!! I've been meaning to email you back!!!

I'm so happy Quinn is doing so well- you must seriously be having a blast with her.

 Ann I am very envious!!  Good girl Quinn!!

There is a big event north of here that is televised on ESPN.  I've gone a few times and really enjoyed watching the dogs work

pm me with the links to the retriever boards if you will - at least the good ones. I have been doing retrieve work with Bugsy but only as fun training - he's more GSP than lab in the way he works.  Very into pointing, retrieving his a definite second.

Jackie has helped me get some control of beastie aka Bugsy in water by getting him to do retrieves of a Dokken.  I am trying to get a hold of some real ducks but I do think he is going to be like Belle and at least taste the duck.

I was just reading Evan Graham's page.  I'd never heard of him but reading his page might explain why. I'll have to look at his program when I have more time.  From what I did read, he sounds like a good source of knowledge.  :)   If you ever want to bounce an idea or a problem off me, feel free. 

Who says you can't throw dead ducks in a city park?      My biggest problem with using city parks was the fishing lines with hooks attached that could easily get tangled up with a dog in the water. 

 Unfortunately our city parks don't have water, and the one we frequent is attached to an elementary school... We don't have to practice much with Quinn she LOVES birds. We have a couple bumpers covered with feathers, Teddi will pick those up now thanks to Quinn but she has not lowered herself to a duck....EEEWWWW  (in her mind) We will get Gabby going as soon as possible.

 A lot of his posts on the boards I have seen him on are encouragements to buy his program... which we have. However he will give you videos of exercises, and help you when you are stuck. We are still EARLY stages. We started a bit sideways so we went back to work on hold. Now we need to re implement FF and see if she will keep it in her mouth. Ah so much to do... does winter have to come? How are we supposed to train in sub artic weather. 

Maxs Mom

Ah so much to do... does winter have to come? How are we supposed to train in sub artic weather. 

Do like the pros and come to Texas for winter training. :)  Of course, we have the opposite problem here and can't do much training in the heat of summer. It's always something. lol  

 As a matter of fact, a lot do. LOL I know the Miner's in IL head that way...

We had a nice couple from Thunder Bay Canada one winter.  They were happy as clams to be able to train in January, even in the water. :)

 My springer hunts and retrieves, not by the book, but with joy and her own style.  She picks the bird up, holds it high, and prances back to me, walks around me several times to make sure I know how wonderful she is, then lets me have the bird.  I want her to enjoy hunting, every part of it.  I could have her force fetch trained, which makes dogs into little retrieving robots.  Labs seem to thrive on this, even though it uses pressure avoidance (pain) to reinforce the behavior.  My little girl is too soft for force fetching, and as I don't field trial, I have no reason to use pain on her.

Most retrievers have the skill bred into them (food back to the den) and just need encouragement and practice .  I hit a site for English Labs that said that the dogs only need obedience training.  The rest is bred in.

DougB

  I could have her force fetch trained, which makes dogs into little retrieving robots. 

Not true, in my experience.

DougB

Most retrievers have the skill bred into them (food back to the den)

A common misconception about retrievers.  A retrieve is a trained set of behaviors, shaped using the retriever breeds's tractable nature and moderate to high prey/chase traits. 

 Our first lab hunted for the joy of hunting was never formerly trained and did just fine. However watching the dogs who are trained in hunt tests which are supposed to mimic real hunting situations (yeah right), the exuberance and fire in their eyes in incredible. That is NOT a dog who is pressured/pain into doing it's job. I have force fetched Teddi who is a SOFT submissive dog, it actually made her better. It does not cause pain. There are people who do make it hurt that is for sure, just like the collars, there are people who make the dog FEEL it however good trainers do not go that route. Our trainer used FF on my husband and I to show us first. The idea behind this training is, you convince the dog when push comes to shove, the dead bird in the field, or the live rabbit that just ran by, where are you going? The dog will take the bird, because it was trained to ignore temptation.

Our young lab is a retrieving machine, however can we guarantee 100% of the time she will get what we send her for? Not yet.