Just picked up a new pup a week ago. He is a 9 week old black lab male. Have the Hillman puppy training DVD that I will start to follow once he gets a little bit older. I think the video starts the puppy at 11 weeks. Also, the puppy will chase his stuff animals and play toys but wants nothing to do with a bumper or retrieving dummy at this time. I hope, and do not think, this will not be problem in the future? As for now we are just loving him and getting him settled in at home. Any other advice I need to know about on how to get the puppy started before the Hillman training begins? I have also watched Sound Beginnings. Just want to do everything I can to help the dog be as good as he can be. Thanks in advance for the tips.
Puppy Retreiving
kingstree
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Just picked up a new pup a week ago. He is a 9 week old black lab male. Have the Hillman puppy training DVD that I will start to follow once he gets a little bit older. I think the video starts the puppy at 11 weeks. Also, the puppy will chase his stuff animals and play toys but wants nothing to do with a bumper or retrieving dummy at this time. I hope, and do not think, this will not be problem in the future? As for now we are just loving him and getting him settled in at home. Any other advice I need to know about on how to get the puppy started before the Hillman training begins? I have also watched Sound Beginnings. Just want to do everything I can to help the dog be as good as he can be. Thanks in advance for the tips.
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I'm not an expert, but this is what worked for me. Stop throwing toys for him! I got a small canvas bumper for puppies and this was the only object I'd throw for him. Get him excited, and make short throws down a hallway or in the kitchen. Keep it short and fun, and he'll get it. My pup is now 13 weeks and since the day I received him at 8 weeks, he's been crazy about retrieving bumpers. The hardest part for me was not over doing it, and stopping while he still wanted more. For my pup, toys are to play and chew on, and bumpers are for retrieving.
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He is 63 days old... it will come. No rush, let him be a puppy and acclimate to his place in the family. I would re-watch Sound Beginnings.
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I have an 11 week old pup and experienced a bit of the same thing. But I figure, he's a puppy, just glad he wants to retrieve, who cares what it is. I also think the soft toys are just more comfortable.
He will retrieve the bumper as well, but it took some getting used to.
Have you tried getting him to retrieve stuff outside yet? That's when the challenge really starts. Once they have distractions, it's a challenge. I have been starting out in the dog run and then moving to the yard. If I get really excited and happy, he'll do a few and then gets distracted again.
I'm a rookie but I think its just about forming a bond and having fun. Slowly trickle in obedience and the other stuff after that.
He will retrieve the bumper as well, but it took some getting used to.
Have you tried getting him to retrieve stuff outside yet? That's when the challenge really starts. Once they have distractions, it's a challenge. I have been starting out in the dog run and then moving to the yard. If I get really excited and happy, he'll do a few and then gets distracted again.
I'm a rookie but I think its just about forming a bond and having fun. Slowly trickle in obedience and the other stuff after that.
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49 Posts
Try a paint roller. My pup would always chase toys and would look at bumper. Might have been the weight of the bumper that he wasn't confident in. A friend of mine threw a paint roller and he retrieved it with excitement. I threw paint roller for about two weeks and now I mix in roller and bumper he retrieves both. Roller, rope, and great stuff foam in middle to hold rope and a little weigh. $10 makes u six bumpers.
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82 Posts
Same here!!!! As Chris Aiken says "Crawl Walk Run" and stick to that!!!
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I stuff a long tube sock with other socks or pillow stuffing. But there is no need to take all the other toys away. He is a baby. It is important that they get this experience as well.
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