Will not fetch any more

[Aught]

This is my first poast, I have a chocolate lab that is 5 1/2months old. This hole week he has seemed to be going backward in his want to fetch. I was throwing for him last night and hit him in the head on when I was throwing the dummie "he ran in front of my throw"!He heels and comes ok I think for his age. I am not sure why he has been so hard to deel with this week any thoughts?

[RJW]

I realize he is 5 1/2 months old, but how are his teeth? Could he possibly still be teething? I am about the farthest thing from a pro trainer as one can get, so take my question for what its worth.

[Howard N]

Teething was my 2nd thought. First thought was what program is he following and how far along was he?

[Leslie B]

Teething would be my first guess at 5 1/2 months old. The gums are sore and the bumper hurts his mouth.

Second would be that he is now a teenager and might have realized that he is "free" when he is sent on the retrieve. I remember my kids saying "you can't make me" and that is also a sentiment shared by pups at this age.

Don't over think hitting him in the head with the bumper - I had one run head long into a post once. Thought it killed her and then was afraid she would never run out after a bumper. She shook it off and was fine.

Good Luck with your pup.

[DropinBack]

Take a few days off with his retrieving and see what happens is my opinion... he is young as mentioned above... Taking time off may make him "want it more..."

[Gauge123]

I shouldn't reply because I am still trying to figure this stuff out myself but........I'm gonna. heh heh
Teething is likely
Teenage is also possible

And a third thought is "what he is doing all day"?. Is he out playing with other dogs or family members? If he is in training then YOU need to be the highlight of his day. If he is having fun all day and you represent "school" or "work" then he is likely to loose interest.

I would stop for a few days (this lets a sore mouth heal and if he's just burned out it gives him a break). Work on heeling while you lay off fetch. Then when you start back up limit the number of retrieves to only a few.

[Chris Atkinson]

This may seem tiny, but please read your subject line.

"My dog won't retrieve anymore" can unfairly put you in a negative mindset.

"My dog is temporarily less enthused about retrieving than prior" or something along those lines is a more productive way to view it. That's reality. It's temporary. It is worth noticing and realizing that you need to adjust what you're doing to help optimize results and satisfaction.

I only mention this to illustrate that many bumps that we run into with our dog training are merely temporary delays or issues that we need to work through. Most all dogs have these sorts of things crop up and this is part of the "fun" of dog training.

Don't let it bug you too much. It is temporary. Absence can make the heart grow fonder. I'd quit letting him retrieve stuff for a while and quit acting like I want him to for a while. Keep things fun. One thing I really like in Mr. Hillman's material is the notion of balance. He talks about the balance between introducing some "obedience" and the wild desire to retrieve.

It could easily be teething and discomfort. It could also be confusion over too much control, too early. Stay cool, stay positive, be happy. Don't get emotional or angry with pup. (for many of us this is easier said than done)

I don't want to embarrass this trainer, but I want to show this for a true example of the RIGHT way to handle it when our pup does not do what we desire. This is the sign of a wonderful training mentality and someone who truly gets it. Pete, I hope this does not embarrass you. I saw this weeks ago and can't get it out of my mind. We all should emulate this when our training lesson doesn't go quite the way we'd like. The first minute is how most all of us would do it. But watch from 1:15 forward. How many of us would stay this calm, and make it this much of a non-issue? I personally think the way Pete handled this is wonderful and it is certainly something that I can learn from.



Chris

[Aught]

Thanks for the good advice!

Chris I need to keep a positive outlook on this does not let it get me down! STAY POSTIVE

Teething makes sense. He is in the Richard a Walters green book is what I am training him by!
Will him watching other dogs do whatever they want affect him in think he does not half to listen?
Is it bad not to let him play with other dog because they bight at each other and when he plays with anyone that is all he wants to do it nip and bight at them?

My girl friend has been home for the past week for vacation so he is out all day hanging out with her "PLAYING" might be a nether reason never thought of that

[Pete]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_dklE7qj2Y

Here is Violet today. co-operative little girl

[dogshom]

That is an awesome video-I love how you understood why she went past you with the bird-confusion rather than defiance. Thanks for posting.