help needed with whippet training

[andysparks 108]

Hi there, im new to this forum and thought i'd jump straight in at the the deep end with a question. I've controlled rabbits for a few years now (mostly shooting) and 6 months ago I decided to get a whippet to help me out. Her basic training is going well except for retrieving to hand. The problem is; she retrieves the ball/dummy well but then drops it a yard infront of me around 90percent of the time when out in a quiet field. The problem is far less when training in the house or garden but is still there. Is this a common problem or am i expecting too much or doing something really wrong? Any ideas on how to cure this....all help is really appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[3 Turns 326]

ALRIGHT MATE WELCOME.ONCE YOUR PUP STARTS CATCHING THE REAL DEAL SHEMIGHT BRING THEM TO HAND AS IT WILL NOT BE A BALL.AND IF THERE NOT DEAD THEYLL START RUNNING AGAIN AND SHELL PICK IT UP AGAIN .BARRING THAT IF SHE KILLS IT OUTRIGHT AND RETRIVES IT BACK AND DROPS IT 2FT AWAY IT WOULDNT MATTER MUCH .AS LONG AS SHE DOES THE LEG WORK.ATB.

[bunnys 1,228]

change the object the dogs retrieving a dummy perhaps with a skin when she brings it in no eye cotact also slight game with her not a tug of war, with her. just enough for her to hold on to the dummy just go steady every dogs different some things workwith one dog while others with another all the best and good luck .fab little dogs , aqll the best bunnys

[andysparks 108]

Thanks for the quick replies, its obviously not a new problem then? I think i'll try using a skin as shes already interested in any shot rabbits i bring home so it might make her hold on.

[Steveclark 9]

change the object the dogs retrieving a dummy perhaps with a skin when she brings it in no eye cotact also slight game with her not a tug of war, with her. just enough for her to hold on to the dummy just go steady every dogs different some things workwith one dog while others with another all the best and good luck .fab little dogs , aqll the best bunnys

 

what i do with my gundogs mate is teach them the hold command. Sit them down and place the ball/dummy in their mouth and repeat hold hold...... etc... and then a release command - i always use 'leave that' but whatever works for you. after a few times and you can see the dog is understanding the command you can just say hold once and then wait 30 seconds and then the release command. when you are sure she knows the hold command say hold as she is coming into you with the retrieve, you should find she will hold it out of habit and you'll have the perfect retrieve, if she drops it place it in her mouth while repeating hold hold etc... works for gundogs and it is how i'm training my little lurcher and it seems to be working just as well with her. hope this helps.

[kev2010 8]

Hi mate,welcome to the site.

You could also try.As she is coming to you,start to move backwards.Keep doing this until she comes in all the way.Lots of praise or treat when she does.Keep it fun & sessions short.Dont loose your wrag if its not working.Stop & do somethig else.

You may also find balls,toys,dummys are one thing but once she has the real thing it maybe like starting allover again for a while.

Good luck.

Kev.

[andysparks 108]

Hi mate,welcome to the site.

You could also try.As she is coming to you,start to move backwards.Keep doing this until she comes in all the way.Lots of praise or treat when she does.Keep it fun & sessions short.Dont loose your wrag if its not working.Stop & do somethig else.

You may also find balls,toys,dummys are one thing but once she has the real thing it maybe like starting allover again for a while.

Good luck.

Kev.

 

More good ideas, cheers mate, I should have joined earlier! And am i better off training in my (small) garden or out in the open?

[Ideation 8,216]

Like the fella said, try moving backwards as she comes in, also crouch down, when she does start to come in. Maybe get a treat she likes and use it to get her the last couple of yards. Also try shortening the distance your doing retrieves at. Also maybe try with a dead rabbit.

[Steveclark 9]

Hi mate,welcome to the site.

You could also try.As she is coming to you,start to move backwards.Keep doing this until she comes in all the way.Lots of praise or treat when she does.Keep it fun & sessions short.Dont loose your wrag if its not working.Stop & do somethig else.

You may also find balls,toys,dummys are one thing but once she has the real thing it maybe like starting allover again for a while.

Good luck.

Kev.

 

More good ideas, cheers mate, I should have joined earlier! And am i better off training in my (small) garden or out in the open?

 

Start in the garden mate and only move to the open when it's working perfectly there. The only problem with using treats like some of the guys have mentioned is that the dog could drop whatever is in its mouth for the treat. Its a natural reaction.

[milliken 791]

change the object the dogs retrieving a dummy perhaps with a skin when she brings it in no eye cotact also slight game with her not a tug of war, with her. just enough for her to hold on to the dummy just go steady every dogs different some things workwith one dog while others with another all the best and good luck .fab little dogs , aqll the best bunnys

 

what i do with my gundogs mate is teach them the hold command. Sit them down and place the ball/dummy in their mouth and repeat hold hold...... etc... and then a release command - i always use 'leave that' but whatever works for you. after a few times and you can see the dog is understanding the command you can just say hold once and then wait 30 seconds and then the release command. when you are sure she knows the hold command say hold as she is coming into you with the retrieve, you should find she will hold it out of habit and you'll have the perfect retrieve, if she drops it place it in her mouth while repeating hold hold etc... works for gundogs and it is how i'm training my little lurcher and it seems to be working just as well with her. hope this helps.

thats the way i do it mate good advise

 

robert