help needed please

[countrycommando89 7]

i need some help getting my dog (whippet/staff) to retrieve she tends to start shredding whatever i have shot. could anybody help me with any tips on the best way to for me to get her retrieving. im sure with the correct info i can pull it off as im still teaching her news tricks all the time. help would be greatly appreciated thanks

[Holland 0]

You like a challange!!

 

Neither the Staff or the Whippet are retrieving dogs, the staff was bred for fighting and baiting other animals and the whippet for running down game and dispatching it.

This is why you are seeing your dog ripping things up rather than bringing them back.

 

Why do you want a retrieving dog?

 

Instead or fighting your dog's natural instinct, use it.

You have potentially a very good little lurcher, why not train it as one?

 

I am not experienced in the training of sight-hounds, but i'm sure many others here are.

 

 

 

 

This said, I think any dog can be trained to retrieve at some level.

 

First start off using something that he can't destroy too quickly, something made of tough rubber would be good.

 

Secondly, keep him teathered to a long lead and start training short retrieves in a small area, like a garden.

If he dosen't come back when you call him, gently pull him back and reward him when he reaches you.

 

It'll be tough though!!!

[countrycommando89 7]

You like a challange!!

 

Neither the Staff or the Whippet are retrieving dogs, the staff was bred for fighting and baiting other animals and the whippet for running down game and dispatching it.

This is why you are seeing your dog ripping things up rather than bringing them back.

 

Why do you want a retrieving dog?

 

Instead or fighting your dog's natural instinct, use it.

You have potentially a very good little lurcher, why not train it as one?

 

I am not experienced in the training of sight-hounds, but i'm sure many others here are.

 

 

 

 

This said, I think any dog can be trained to retrieve at some level.

 

First start off using something that he can't destroy too quickly, something made of tough rubber would be good.

 

Secondly, keep him teathered to a long lead and start training short retrieves in a small area, like a garden.

If he dosen't come back when you call him, gently pull him back and reward him when he reaches you.

 

It'll be tough though!!!

i know this but i thought i could maybe get her to do it at some level like you said. she is quite good as a chaser but will again try to shred it rather than let me get it.

i want a retrieving dog for when i go out with my air rifle. i also have a jack russel would it be better me trying to teach her to retrieve. i just thought id give it a go anyway. thanks for the reply

[Holland 0]

A russel!!

 

I'd stick with the lurcher!

 

There's no reason why this wont work, but you should make sure she good on dummies and cold game before taking her on to the shooting field.

You wouldn't even let a Labrador retreive in the field until this has happened.

 

Good luck

[countrycommando89 7]

A russel!!

 

I'd stick with the lurcher!

 

There's no reason why this wont work, but you should make sure she good on dummies and cold game before taking her on to the shooting field.

You wouldn't even let a Labrador retreive in the field until this has happened.

 

Good luck

rely appreciate the advice. i feel there is little hope but shall try i mite learn something

[scouser3038 1]

I know plenty of terrier blooded lurchers that retrieve live to hand! some without any training at all! Just keep trying it will soon click

[countrycommando89 7]

I know plenty of terrier blooded lurchers that retrieve live to hand! some without any training at all! Just keep trying it will soon click

i had my first proper training session with her today and she got the gist of it and was bringing it back too my feet i had her on a length of parachord. she lost interest after a bit. i only got her to do it about 5 times. i have heard that doing it too much can be counter productive. does this sound right

[jamesy 0]

Ive have a pet staffordshire bull terrier and she will retrieve a toy , and shes had no training at all,

 

thing to do is,

as said in the post get a lets say a rubber ball,

go to a small lane with only one way out, roll the ball down the lane, and your dog has to come towards you with the ball, give plenty of praise on return to hand, and repeat about 3 times aday,

then maybe move to a small area not a big area as the dog will want to run around with the toy as it will think you want to play a game, dont lose you cool just go back to some lane work,

then maybe throw the ball into some cover and wait at the edge of the cover and as soon as the dog comes out of the cover plenty of praise again

it might work,

[Holland 0]

You're so right,

 

don't repeat a task so often that your dog tires of it, keep training sessions short, and try and end each session on a good note.

If she retrieves well on the third go, leave it there for that day.

[countrycommando89 7]

You're so right,

 

don't repeat a task so often that your dog tires of it, keep training sessions short, and try and end each session on a good note.

If she retrieves well on the third go, leave it there for that day.

thing is when shes doing it i get so chuffed i her to do it again i do refrain and keep them short. one quick question though. if i through sticks for her just to chase am i de- training her or what or shall i try and get her to retrieve it

[Holland 0]

If you want her solely as a retrieving dog then I wouldn't let her chase any thing.

 

The dog should not go until she is sent. That means she should watch where the dummy lands but not go to it until the word is given by you.

 

I would stay away from sticks as they don't resemble game in shape, weight or texture. Get yourself a couple of training dummies from a gun shop or on line and use those.

 

I find (to the horror of some other gun dog trainers) that a tennis ball can be useful as it is easily carried by a young dog and tests a dogs steadiness as she watches it roll and bounce away from her!

[matt d 1]

just out of interest what type of gundog is that?

[countrycommando89 7]

just out of interest what type of gundog is that?

she isnt any type of gundog thats the problem. shes a whippet staff should be interesting training her (trying) seems to be going superb though so far shes rely picking it up

[Andrea 2]

just out of interest what type of gundog is that?

she isnt any type of gundog thats the problem. shes a whippet staff should be interesting training her (trying) seems to be going superb though so far shes rely picking it up

 

 

did you get that e book i sent?????? i wanted to make sure i sent it properly

[countrycommando89 7]

just out of interest what type of gundog is that?

she isnt any type of gundog thats the problem. shes a whippet staff should be interesting training her (trying) seems to be going superb though so far shes rely picking it up

 

 

did you get that e book i sent?????? i wanted to make sure i sent it properly

yes i did thanks alot much appreciated has rely helped.