Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Bird Dogs => Topic started by: Clark33 on June 15, 2014, 11:31:19 AM

Title: 9 Month old Lab training issues
Post by: Clark33 on June 15, 2014, 11:31:19 AM: I've been working with my lab since she was 8 weeks old. She has been doing very well but last month or so.

When working on blind retrieves or just retrieves in general she will either drop short or simply run up to it look at it and then begin to sniff around.

I'm pretty sure she's just getting bored. So I'm here to ask how often do you guys work on retrieves? I've also heard labs will hit a rebellious stage around 8-9 months, how do you break this?

She's a great dog but she'd rather sniff around in the bushes by my house where the quail hang out. She's birdy and thats a good thing but I don't want her to be dropping actual birds short either.

She's not force fetched either, I haven't done that yet as I'm not 100% sure how to go about it.
Title: Re: 9 Month old Lab training issues
Post by: Commando on June 15, 2014, 12:10:30 PM: I am by no means a expert at training. So with that said I do think she is testing you. I had this problem with my lab who is the same age as your pup. We started force fetch two weeks ago and its going great. I stopped running most marks while doing force but have thrown a few latley and in really think that force fetch has helped.
Title: Re: 9 Month old Lab training issues
Post by: Clark33 on June 15, 2014, 02:45:16 PM: I think she is too. She knows what shes supposed to do and shes just not doing it. I can tell by her body language. I'll do some research on force fetch training.

Thanks
Title: Re: 9 Month old Lab training issues
Post by: AspenBud on June 15, 2014, 03:48:46 PM: At about nine months most dogs go through a rebellious streak. It should pass, just keep working at it.
If you want 100% compliance go to a reputable trainer and have the dog put through force fetch.
Title: Re: 9 Month old Lab training issues
Post by: birdstew on June 16, 2014, 07:45:53 PM: Are you or have you been using just dummies. My buddy had a lab pup that was losing interest and we put some duck wings on the dummy with a rubber band. The pup never lost interest after that.
Title: Re: 9 Month old Lab training issues
Post by: GurrCentral on June 16, 2014, 09:27:44 PM: Quote from: Clark33 on June 15, 2014, 11:31:19 AM
I've been working with my lab since she was 8 weeks old. She has been doing very well but last month or so.

When working on blind retrieves or just retrieves in general she will either drop short or simply run up to it look at it and then begin to sniff around.

I'm pretty sure she's just getting bored. So I'm here to ask how often do you guys work on retrieves? I've also heard labs will hit a rebellious stage around 8-9 months, how do you break this?

She's a great dog but she'd rather sniff around in the bushes by my house where the quail hang out. She's birdy and thats a good thing but I don't want her to be dropping actual birds short either.

She's not force fetched either, I haven't done that yet as I'm not 100% sure how to go about it.

I would seriously look into force fetch and collar conditioning your pup. Good luck!
Title: Re: 9 Month old Lab training issues
Post by: ghosthunter on June 22, 2014, 01:30:20 PM: Live birds might jazz her up some. Get a couple pigeons. Clip their winds and throw those a few times.
Title: Re: 9 Month old Lab training issues
Post by: Happy Gilmore on June 26, 2014, 11:18:15 AM: Not to say you "can't" do blind retrieves without collar conditioning and force fetch......

If you would like to do it "properly" with the most widely recognized methods for retrievers you'll need to stop doing what you are doing, teach your dog fetch and hold, force fetch and collar condition. FF and CC are the tools which allow you to begin force to pile along with everything else. FF is the concrete foundation of a finished retriever.
Title: Re: 9 Month old Lab training issues
Post by: gasman on June 26, 2014, 04:04:33 PM: Could be that shes bored :dunno:

Gotta keep it fun at that age until the basics are down pact, then FF and CC.

:twocents:

Happy has wayyyyy more experience then I and I would take what he advises to heart ;)