giving up dummy

[virgil 0]

Hi, i have been training my first gun dog a Lab bitch and i`m struggling with her giving up the dummy!

 

She was ok when i first started training but when she hit 13 to 14 months she started being a pain with not giving up dummy.

 

She does it with all toys like tennis ball, she will carry a ball or dummy all day but won`t give it up.

 

I know it`s probably something i`ve done and she has picked up on it. It is my first time with a gun dog so i expected making mistakes.

 

She is 15 months now i know i have loads of time but need advice please.

 

 

V

[comanche 3,076]

Do you mean she runs about or circles but won't bring the dummy right back to your hand? Or that she clamps on and won't release it ? . Others better qualified will be able to give you better advice but if your dog is circling it really indicates that you need to work on her recall in all circumstances and limit the retrieving to situations in which you have total control , even if it means using a long line to guide the pup gently toward you or confining retrieving to a narrow passage .Insisting on a consistent delivery ritual might help. Good luck .

 

PS just had a re-read ."she does it with all toys etc" Hm does she know the difference between her "toys" which she is allowed to run about with and her serious training dummies which she must bring to hand automatically ?

Edited July 17, 2008 by comanche

[virgil 0]

Thanks for reply, she comes right up to me and starts circling, the retrieve is ok. if i try to get the dummy she just backs off.

 

If i do get to manage to get to the dummy she gives it up ok.

 

Virgil

[comanche 3,076]

Thanks for reply, she comes right up to me and starts circling, the retrieve is ok. if i try to get the dummy she just backs off.

 

If i do get to manage to get to the dummy she gives it up ok.

 

Virgil

Hello . Sounds to me like your next move might be to lay-off the retrieving (and playing with toys in a chase and retrieve fashion) for a few days . Concentrate on getting her to sit nicely and tight to you after every recall. Once she is doing this try a retrieve under controlled conditions such as a hall way. As soon as she "comes right up" make her sit(she should be doing this automaticly by now) just as you've taught her ,then take the dummy gently ,then praise her. Then do another completly different training exercise before you finish the training session with a romp or whatever.This will stop her thinking that a retrieving session is a prelude to a game . Never worry about going back a stage or two in training .Sounds like you were doing ok on your own but I bet you'd be welcome as a member of a local Gun-dog club with your eagerness to learn and ask for help. They've seen it all before problemwise. Mate ,like I said others are far better qualified to give you advice so you don't have to take on anything I've suggested but whatever course you take ,Good luck. Let us know how you get on

Edited July 18, 2008 by comanche

[BenBhoy 4,706]

just add what i know, though gundogs aren't my speciality but you said when you do get hold of it, she'll give it up, but im guessing to get it you have to chase her, lunge at it, or at least go to her? she'll think this is a bloody brilliant game! 'yeah yeah, chase me' so she'll just keep on doing it. when she acts like that, you could try just turning back on her, act like your not even interested then, if she's gonna mess about your not gonna give her any attention. she'll soon get focused back on you again. keep at it, and good luck.

[alexewers 0]

just add what i know, though gundogs aren't my speciality but you said when you do get hold of it, she'll give it up, but im guessing to get it you have to chase her, lunge at it, or at least go to her? she'll think this is a bloody brilliant game! 'yeah yeah, chase me' so she'll just keep on doing it. when she acts like that, you could try just turning back on her, act like your not even interested then, if she's gonna mess about your not gonna give her any attention. she'll soon get focused back on you again. keep at it, and good luck.

 

 

This is good advice but the problem that you have actually created is that it sounds like you have tried to take the dummy off her to quickly , sometimes you need to let them enjoy there prize by never taking the dummy straight off the dog but make them sit in front of you and leave them sitting with it in there mouth for a while then slowly take the dummy from the dog all the time praising but not getting the dog over excited never lunge at the dog as it will cause further problems if it doesnt work take a few steps backwards and recall always get the dog to come to you there are times when you can go to the dog but i wont go into that because it will only confuse you at this time good luck and let us know how you get on.