well pisxxd off

[bez 0]

5/6 weeks ago i was having trouble with my 8 1/2 month old collie/grey cross retrieving i went back to basics with the dummy she was coming on great bringing it back no trouble at all .i took her out ferreting today had a good day got 20 but what pissed me off was a rabbit shot out from a bolt hole that we missed with the nets the bitch nailed it after about 30 yds but what she did was run off with the rabbit and would not retrieve it one bit no matter how much praise i gave her she didnt want to give the rabbit up any advice what to do next would be great

[tote 854]

What were you using for a dummy Bez?

[killa-combo 142]

hope you get some good reply's mate as im in the same boat .. drives you mad myn retrives any thing you throw apart from a dead bunny...

[labsnlurchers 39]

walk away. turn away from the dog and walk. if she runs round to the front of you then turn away and keep walking in the opposite direction until she comes to your side. then reward. When she gets the rabbit call her and get down low, only give her one chance. if she wont bring it then just walk. She'll hopefully think 'oh my god he's leaving me' and it will also defer the attention away from her not retrieving. Dont talk to her or look at her until she gets to your side. then reward in moderation. just a small treat and a pat on the head, no kissing and cuddling lol!

Good luck, let us know how you go

[whippeter69 88]

walk away. turn away from the dog and walk. if she runs round to the front of you then turn away and keep walking in the opposite direction until she comes to your side. then reward. When she gets the rabbit call her and get down low, only give her one chance. if she wont bring it then just walk. She'll hopefully think 'oh my god he's leaving me' and it will also defer the attention away from her not retrieving. Dont talk to her or look at her until she gets to your side. then reward in moderation. just a small treat and a pat on the head, no kissing and cuddling lol!

Good luck, let us know how you go

 

 

Reverse phycology, used a lot with gundogs but will be just as good with and working dog. Good advice there , make sure you use it, hope the retrieving works out ok

[bez 0]

thanks for replys everyone i will take everything on board and stick at it .i was using a rabbit skinned dummy for the training

[undisputed 1,664]

Nothing to panic about and perfectly normal with some young dogs. This sometimes happens when young dogs become protective of their catches the more you try and get her to come in to you or fuss over her the more she keeps out of your way. The dog is excited over catching the bunny and sometimes when their blood is up they will run around in circles out of reach and wont give it up for you. Best thing I've found in these situations is not to fuss and leave the dog to it. Eventuallly the excitement will cool and she'll either leave the rabbit or bring it back. The trick is not to get into a flap about it and try to chase her all over the place. Some of the advice you have been given is sound but dont panic it dont mean your reteiving programme is up the swanny. I would usually after something like that throw the dead rabbit a few times for her to retrieve this gets her used to having fur & flesh in her mouth. And dont worry if she kills the rabbit either this sometimes happens too. It willl only become a problem if you chase after her.....was there any other dogs present?

[Simoman 110]

Sounds like back to basics again, I'm sure it will come right.

[runforyourlife 361]

Got to agree with the comments saying " nothing to worry about". Its still a pup, and its mind and head arent in the game yet..... Also when it realizes that there are more where that came from, and more to catch, it will become easier. Take your time bez, as there is loads of it, and it is still a puppy.....

[tote 854]

Some good advice there and as Indi' says there's no need to panic,that was a normal reaction for the pup.

 

As Simoman says,go back to basics,get the pup back onto the rabbit skin dummy and when she is 100% with it swap it for a "cold" dead rabbit.You might find she wants to play with it at first or even run off with it,but persevere with it and eventually she'll settle down. When she's retrieving the "cold" rabbit spot on move her onto the next stage which is a "warm" dead rabbit [a freshly killed one], again expect a different reaction,picking it up and throwing it about,maybe even refusing to pick it up etc etc.Eventually she'll see it as "just a dummy" and be carrying it back to you no probs.Next step is obviously a live rabbit,again this will be new to her so expect her to "mess" about with the first few she catches. But like she was with the change of dummies she will get used to the live rabbits, settle down and hopefully start retrieving them to you.Whatever she does try to stay calm and try not to make an big issue out of it as the pup will feel your bad vibes,Good luck.