retrivel issues

[seth30]

Today was the second time this season that my male lab refused to retrieve a duck.  He jumped out of the blind and swam to shore.  Glad my female lab was able to get the duck before it swam away...  Any ideas on why a dog would do this?  I have had them for 5 seasons now and this is a first for me.  He did this once before last month as well.  After that little weird speel he retrieved the other two ducks I shot no problem. 

[The scout]

the female doesn't have ball's.that water is cold.sorry i no your looking for a serious answer

[seth30]

LOL, neither does my male

[LndShrk]

Force Fetch is the most applicable answer to refusals.

[seth30]

How do you do a force fetch?

[LndShrk]

How do you do a force fetch?

Evan Graham Smart Fetch is a great resource.

But before you go down that path I would get his Smart Works series and make sure that you have done the prerequisites.

[Labs07]

Force fetching is the answer.  I don't know if I would do it myself.  My lab refused to fetch so I had a trainer force fetch train him and it worked out great.

[Copperwood]

Force Fetch fixes a lot of problems. I would strongly recommend taking him/her to a pro. It is really easy to do this process incorrectly which will cause more problems. PM me for more info.

[wildweeds]

Hmmm all them seasons and only 2 refusals.................Have  you always hunt him with the female? If I had to guess she's the alpha.

[Happy Gilmore]

Only happened twice ever why are you worried? Maybe the dog just needed to poop or didn't see the bird?

[seth30]

My male is the Alpha and usually wont let my female retreive a duck.  She insted retreives decoys   Its possible he had to poop but he didnt, just sat there and watched us.  Copperwood PM sent. 

[Happy Gilmore]

I was being a bit sarcastic. Because your dog is older and been hunted a lot force fetching him probably won't be a good answer. Even with a trainer with minimal experience he will probably dig in his heels to refuse the new person and get pretty spiteful. I'd hunt one at a time see if it makes a difference.

Ff an older dog? Unlikely to have a good time with it- remember today. Enjoy what you have now and when you get your next pup start them off differently with more training

[LndShrk]

Sorry I missed the have had them for 5 seasons part.

I agree with Happy G.  you are not likely going to win this one over.

[rtspring]

Its hard with two dogs, been there myself.

Has he done it only with another dog around? If so there is your answer..  Never forced fetched any if my dogs..  Yes it works but so does proper training ..

[seth30]

My dogs are littermates and dont work alone too well.  So I take them as a team, and it usually pans out well. 

[wildweeds]

I agree,teaching old dogs of any breed  new tricks can work,BUT the success rate isn't very good though.When something is regimented and has stuck,the resentment factor is real and can lead to blinking the whole situation if they don't like the changes being implemented .Becomes a matter of if they don't like/love it,fuggetaboutit.Not really that much different from humans really,if you work at a job for 20 years and something in management/benefits changes drastically from what has gone on for 20 years.A certain number of employees are going to blink it,drag up and go elsewhere.

I was being a bit sarcastic. Because your dog is older and been hunted a lot force fetching him probably won't be a good answer. Even with a trainer with minimal experience he will probably dig in his heels to refuse the new person and get pretty spiteful. I'd hunt one at a time see if it makes a difference.

Ff an older dog? Unlikely to have a good time with it- remember today. Enjoy what you have now and when you get your next pup start them off differently with more training

[WRL]

A dog is never too old to Force Fetch.

1) It has to be done properly.
2) It has to be worth it to the person force fetching the dog.
3) If you are going through the process, you have to be willing to reinforce it.

If you are unwilling or unable to do any of the above three, then just hunt him and deal with it. If it becomes that huge of an issue, then quit.

I have Force Fetched many dogs over the age of 5 years. Some readily take to it and some resist more. But its the same for dogs under the age of 1 year old too.

WRL