hard mouthed spaniel

[Blakloks 5]

My 3 year old spaniel is starting to get a bit hard mouthed with game mainly warm pheasant he seems to wrestle them about till he can pick them up and some feathers come out any tips?? I think going pigeon shooting when he was young may have taught him this habit as pigeons are very soft and he would always end up with a mouthfull of feathers!!

[butcherboy 68]

Feathers coming out don't indicate hard mouth.

 

Have you checked each bird for rib damage from the dog?

[doddsy1970 9]

Feathers coming out don't indicate hard mouth.

 

Have you checked each bird for rib damage from the dog?

 

My thoughts exactly. If the dog has a small mouth it could be mouthing it to get it into position.

[2434me 13]

When was the last time he had a runner?

If he has been scratched or hurt by a very much alive pheasant,he could be making sure it doesnt happen again ?

[Blakloks 5]

only had 1 runner this year, he will pick cold game up no problem its just when they have been shot any ideas on how to cure this?? no rib damage just the feathers coming out!!

Edited February 3, 2011 by Blakloks

[2434me 13]

You could try a bit of jealousy!

 

Do a few sessions with a mate and another dog.

Send your dog out first then send the other dog when he is half way there.

If your dog knows he doesnt have time to mess about,it should make him pick it up a bit quicker rather than loose it ? .

Just an idea? but it may work.

[Blakloks 5]

must be a proven remidy that works out there somewhere

[doddsy1970 9]

must be a proven remidy that works out there somewhere

 

 

As previously stated. Have you checked the rib cages to see if they have been smashed? As for a proven remedy. I have heard of people wrapping the dummies in holly. If the dog bit down too hard it got pricked. I have never seen it done but the general concensus was that it may stop a dog from picking up full stop.

 

We had a labrador on our shoot. He is used alot for fowling and that smashed pheasants and partridges up all the time. It got so bad that the guy was asked not to bring it anymore.

[butcherboy 68]

only had 1 runner this year, he will pick cold game up no problem its just when they have been shot any ideas on how to cure this?? no rib damage just the feathers coming out!!

 

 

Of course they don't come out of cold game. A warm bird is far softer and feathers frequently come out, especially when retrieved by smaller dogs.

 

You are trying to fix something that isn't broken

[SNAP SHOT 194]

If you play fetch with the dog with sticks or hard toys this could lead to hard mouth,

 

As was said above check for broken ribs in the birds or meat damage, The key to fixing the problem is a hard one, i've seen people wrapping a dummy

with feathers and holly, and work at it over time,

 

A small mouthed dog may mouth the bird to get it into a comfortable position as this may also lead to a little damage,

 

Time is the key as is patience and lots of it, good luck

 

 

Snap.

[Blakloks 5]

If you play fetch with the dog with sticks or hard toys this could lead to hard mouth,

 

As was said above check for broken ribs in the birds or meat damage, The key to fixing the problem is a hard one, i've seen people wrapping a dummy

with feathers and holly, and work at it over time,

 

A small mouthed dog may mouth the bird to get it into a comfortable position as this may also lead to a little damage,

 

Time is the key as is patience and lots of it, good luck

 

 

Snap.

There is definetly no rib damage its more a case of wrestle the bird into position i think but gets overly anxious at doing it i think he may be in a hurry to bring it back to me for a pat on the head and some praise

[blacklab 0]

As previously stated if their is no damage to the bird he is not hard mouthed..

 

Lee

[timber 90]

only had 1 runner this year, he will pick cold game up no problem its just when they have been shot any ideas on how to cure this?? no rib damage just the feathers coming out!!

 

 

Of course they don't come out of cold game. A warm bird is far softer and feathers frequently come out, especially when retrieved by smaller dogs.

 

You are trying to fix something that isn't broken

Spot on butcher boy .

[Blakloks 5]

only bit of damage i saw was on a canada he brought back last sat but that was minimal plus i think that he grabbed the open wound on the bird and ripped it a bit and a spaniel that can fetch a big honker back anit doin to bad

[Pud 0]

As in your previous reply, feathers aren't an issue, it's the dog trying to get good grip. My 18 month old springer was doing the same and I asked the same question around my local shoots, as long as there's no internal damage it's fine, but I know it doesn't look right! I've been in the company of some hard mouthed dogs and believe me, feathers are not a big issue!