Training an Older Golden?

[SHARP]

Hello All-

This is my first post and I actually just found the forum a week ago or so. I think this is a great forum and resource.

Long story short, adopted a 3 year old Golden from a fella on another forum. His name is Harry and he is a great dog with a great temperament. We've had him for about a month and half.

I was told by his previous Owner he has had some field training (Upland), but I am unsure how much and how good the training was....

I just bought Water Dog (Wolthers) almost done reading. Harry has the basics down pretty good, heel, sit, stay. We have completed about 7-10, 15-30 minute sessions, mainly sticking with basics.

Here is the issue. Harry will sit at heel, stay and mark the dummy. I will release him and he will take off towards the down dummy. He will not pick up the bird (dummy). He will run to it, over it, around it, but will not pick it up. On our second training session I introduced the dummy and he had 12-15 consecutive retrieves, brought right back to me... I only did 12-15 so we could end on positive note, which we did. The next day, not one retrieve! Not even a pick up. Since then about 3-4 sessions, no retrieves.

I know training an older dog has it's challenges and I am willing to put in the hard work. But a retriever that doesn't retrieve. My Newfoundland, will run out and pick up a dummy and bring it back. I should also mention, I have run to the dummy with him, to get him excited. I have run to the dummy, picked it up and placed it in his mouth. I have also, made him sit and hold the dummy, for short periods of time. All of which are recommendations from others with similar issues. But no luck.

I know patience is the key to successful training, but we need, or should be able to get him retrieving consistently.

Any ideas?

I would also ask, if any of you who train or have successfully trained hunting dogs here in Southwest Washington (Washougal/ Camas/ Vancouver) have some time available, I would really appreciate the chance to hook up and see your dogs in action and get some tips.

Thanks for reading and your response and tips are much appreciated.

Josh

[Bluemoon]

Josh
I'm off of Exit 71 on I-5..
Give a shout if you want..

[Birdguy]

Try putting a wing on the dummy or perhaps some scent. I had a dog that would not retireve a dummy but if the dummy had feathers it was a whole new deal. Just a thought.

[Hornseeker]

I like Wolters work, trained my lab with Water dog and am reading Game Dog right now to help with my springer...

Anyhow, I am thinking one key is going to be rewarding the retrieves... and only doing a couple!! (ending on that high note)... and absolutely not rewarding the non retrieves. I would probably work on the sit, stay, heel, come stuff... then try and get him excited about the dummy.... then toss it (not far) and encourage him with lots of friendly voice. If he doesn't bring it back, go leash him up and go put him in a kennel or crate for a while. No yelling, beating...whatever, just no fun...

Make a helluva a production when he does pick it up and bring it back!

Good Luck, keep us posted!

[CP]

Don’t give up because of the dog’s age; a 3 year old Golden is not an “old” dog.  Most still act like puppies until they reach about 4.  

As for your retrieving issue if you are going to force fetch the dog you should have that done professionally.  If you just want to increase the interest in retrieving, borrow a dog that is a solid retriever and let your dog watch some retrieves from a kennel.  Be sure the lavish praise on the 2nd dog for the retrieves.  Golden’s are very jealous and your dog will quickly get the idea that to get your attention he needs to make the retrieve.

[Hornseeker]

yep, thats a good idea!