So I'm trying to teach 4.5 month pup simple memories on soccer field. I'm having a problem getting him to look straight out at pile so I can send him. He keeps wanting to sit and look at me. I try extending my arm and hand forward and he's not getting it.
Typically, i put 2-3 dummies out 10 yards and mark the pile. He's great on the first one obviously but once he returns and we back up 5 yards, he seems confused. Thoughts???
Don't back up. Move 5 yards closer. The second retrieve is always less appealing than the first.
Remember you have a baby with essentially no training, a short attention span and shorter ability to focus. It is up to you to provide the incentive and place him in a "win only" situation for every retrieve. At his age it is about desire and good habits not multiples and distance.
I don't usually do more then one mark because like Tim, I am looking for good focus and drive to the mark. If I where, I would set the process up something like this. From the board, I would give them two fairly quick singles with a high ark. When the dog is coming back I would turn 90 degrees on the delivery. This would be, to get them to understand that there's going to be more then one mark. When they are doing this with good focus, move to the next step.
to the OP : you have me confused ? Are you trying to send the dog to a pile of marks or are you trying to send your dog to what is essentially a pile of dummies that he has not seen thrown...
** Live shackled pigeons or ducks if he has retrieved them.
that will peak his interest.
** You need a 'helper' with a starter pistol, shackled pigeons & start the wagon wheel.
** I never throw a bumber into an existing pile of dummies unless an older dog &
trying to improve his marking.
** The way you describe things it sounds like you are teaching sight blinds.
Thanks guys..I will simplify as suggested. To clarify, yes, he has been introduced to live pigeons and did great. I've been walking with him at heel, tossing 2-3 bumpers about 10 yards to a spot, and then turning around about 10 yards. At that point I face him back towards the pile and try to send him. Usually he's good on the first one, but gets progessively weaker on the next couple.
Where did you come up with that idea? There are a lot of resources that will guide you in building skills step by step. Do a search here if you need to pointed in the right direction.
It really depends on your expectation. What do want out of this dog? This forum has a lot of serious trainers on it and their training methods are vary narrowing define to get a certain out come. They are a step by step process. You might want to get in touch with you local retriever club and get some info.
Southern Flight HRC is having a hunt test this weekend at Fitch Farms Galena Plantation in Holly Springs, MS. You should ride down and meet some local dog trainers. They will be able to guide you in the right direction for training retrievers. They are a good and very active group.
That drill comes right out out of DL's book Training Retrievers to handle. Covered in detail in the beginning chapters. Isn't DL traditional enough? Just looking for suggestions.....not more questions like "where did you come up with that"
You might want to decide which pro you are going to send your puppy to for training, and then ask him or her what they would expect you to be doing now.
It's a 4.5 month old puppy. You're asking for too much. Be happy with the one he does well, and then go do something else with him. Otherwise you're creating a habit that is hard to fix. At this age, it should be all about drive and desire, and pile work isn't the way to do that. Build the drive higher first. Momentum, momentum, momentum. Create a habit of always driving hard to those bumpers....ONCE. not multiple times.
I just pulled out my copy of D.L. Walter's book. Go back and read the introduction. The first 2 pages discuss the prerequisites before starting his handling program. The pup needs to be solid on his obedience (heel, sit, stay), steady and delivering to hand. Although he says that this program can be started at a young age - he says that is usually 1 to 1.5 years of age, after the dog is confident doing doubles on land and water. I think you've jumped ahead. He says usually dogs have run some derbies or had a season of hunting before they are ready to start on learning to handle.
If your looking for something fun to try that has value, work on 3 handed casting. Can be done successfully with no pressure at this young age if your little guy is cooperative.
Ok...thank you numerous posters for some helpful feedback. I now realize that I'm asking too much too early even though he's solid on OB and enthusiastic and eager to learn. I especially like the comments about momentum and doing everything to ensure it stays high and consistent. I'll adjust accordingly and back off this drill for awhile. There are certainly many other things we can be doing and I do agree about keeping pups age in mind.
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