How do you know if a dog has lack of drive

Zx10r2004 · Mar 31, 2014

Just wondering how you would know if your dog has lack of drive? My dog is slow retrieving but retrieves everything, is that lack of drive or just a slow dog.Is there any drills to do so she goes a little faster!! She is a 1-1/2 yr golden. This is her doing her first 100 yard plus retrieve.I praise her while she's coming back to try to get her running.Thanks for any advice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjnHLTDY3t4&feature=youtube_gdata - Video Tube for YouTube - iPhone/iPad

Sent from my iPhone

cakaiser · Mar 31, 2014

Use some birds.

Bridget Bodine · Mar 31, 2014

were they blinds or marks?

Zx10r2004 · Mar 31, 2014

Bridget Bodine said:
were they blinds or marks?

I put a stake out and put 2 bumpers next to it. I'm new to this so I'm not sure if its a blind or mark.

Breck · Mar 31, 2014

The dog is moving fine and well enough in the video. Not an issue. The issue is more you learning what to do with her and quick. Spring is here so time to find folks to train with if you haven't already.
.
.
If she saw you put bumpers and stake out, some call this a "sight blind". Rather than ask if she's ready or what have you have her sit next to you pointed at the bumpers and give her a "cue word" to let her know you're about to run a blind. most use "dead" as que word.
For now you probably want to concentrate on marks and limit blinds.
A mark is a bumper or bird throw by a helper out in the field that the dog actually sees fly through the air.
Some cue dog with the word "mark" and send the dog on their "name".
Have a friend or a kid walk out into field with 3 or 4 bumpers. Sit your dog and have friend get dogs attention by yelling "hey hey" when dog looking raise your hand to signal friend to toss bumper and then stand still.
As dog is returning have friend walk left or right some yards past where last bumper fell and prepare to throw next bumper on your signal. do 3 or 4 of these and then go home.

2tall · Mar 31, 2014

Dogs show drive on MARKS. Get someone out in the field and throw birds for her. I am surprised you have as much go on this as you do! Get a mentor or join a club. Looks like a nice dog!

Bridget Bodine · Mar 31, 2014

I agree with Carol , that the dog had this much go on a non mark is awesome. Get with a group and learn how to train this dog , she is worth it

Breck · Mar 31, 2014

Since you mentioned you didn't know a mark from a blind you could use some education material.
There are some folks near you in Metamora who sell retriever training video material.
On item is a DVD produced by a famous Golden Retriever breeder. It costs very little. Although meant for starting puppy you will benefit from watching and following it.
the dvd you want is Sound Beginnings by Jackie Mertens.
purchaes at www.ybsmedia.com

polmaise · Mar 31, 2014

cakaiser said:
Use some birds.

Use some fun!?
....................
"Driving Miss daisy" goes slow because she never had a Mustang when she was 14

Let the the dog 'Run-In'?..All this sit /stay/hold/give/stuff , ...? Let the dog go!....Retrieving should be ''let me get it''..not stop me from getting it?...whether a mark or a blind

.....You guy's may have different views.

Zx10r2004 · Mar 31, 2014

Thanks! This makes me feel a lot better.She went duck hunting with me last year and she would poke at the ducks and would drop them while retrieving.she wouldnt sit still in the boat so when I had some time off work in December I FF her to see if it would help.i also worked on getting her steady. She is like a totally different dog. She retrieves everything and doesn't drop anything anymore but I thought she was really slow compared to some labs I hunted with and seen.i will continue working and find a training group to help me out. Thanks again

Bridget Bodine · Mar 31, 2014

absolutely , this dog needs some "hey, hey hey!! " and throw some birds! Flapping ones would be even better

Bridget Bodine · Mar 31, 2014

Slow means nothing, is she enthusiastic about retrieving? Does she like it? or is she pouty and rather not... Looks to me like she likes it well enough AND she really wants to please you

Zx10r2004 · Mar 31, 2014

Bridget Bodine said:
Slow means nothing, is she enthusiastic about retrieving? Does she like it? or is she pouty and rather not... Looks to me like she likes it well enough AND she really wants to please you

she loves retrieving!Im becoming addicted as well. Just need to learn a lot more. Thanks for all of the advice it really helpful.

Zx10r2004 · Mar 31, 2014

Thanks for all of the advice above.

Wayne Nutt · Mar 31, 2014

I thought that it was interesting that you ff'd your dog but didn't know the difference between a mark and a blind.

How did you learn about ff?

Zx10r2004 · Mar 31, 2014

I knew what a mark was just confused with using the stake to help the dog out. Didn't know what it was called. I'm using water dog dvd but I also use a e collar with the program.i did a lot of research on here before I started FF. I still have a lot to learn but so far its been a blast.I'm limited as I get only 1 weekend off a month but try to get out 4-5 times a week.

Marilyn Fender · Mar 31, 2014

Regarding your comment where you said --- "I praise her while she's coming back to try to get her running."
While can't tell exactly what you are doing unless I saw it --- most likely she is recognizing your praise as telling her she is being good for going slow
This is common error when trying to get a dog to come back faster . The dog hears the praise and they connect it to being good for what they are doing --- going slow. They don't figure out that what you think you are doing (in your mind) is encouraging her to go faster. Remember --- praise is for what has just happened and tells the dog that it is right. If praising for going slow is what you have done for a while, it is going to take some different behaviors on your part to overcome what you taught.

Just a thought..

Marilyn

Marilyn J Fender, PhD
Windstorm Retrievers - Wisconsin and Georgia
Home of 1996 NFC FC AFC Storm’s Riptide Star and birthplace to QAA of 2000 CNAFC CFC CAFC Quik Windstorm
mf96nfc@centurytel.net and nfcrascal@centurytel.net

How do you know if a dog has lack of drive

Zx10r2004

cakaiser

Bridget Bodine

Zx10r2004

Breck

2tall

Bridget Bodine

Breck

polmaise

Zx10r2004

Bridget Bodine

Bridget Bodine

Zx10r2004

Zx10r2004

Wayne Nutt

Zx10r2004

Marilyn Fender

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