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Pluffmudder

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Boykin Spaniel - Female, "Franny"
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Discussion starter · #1 ·
My Boykin Franny is a little over 1 year old. She has been Force Fetched and is currently going through Water T in her training. She has very, very high drive and desire for birds.

She is having an issue with giving smaller birds to hand, such as dove and quail. I have to apply high collar pressure in order for her to let them go, and even then shes mouthing them as she lets them go, reluctantly.

She does not have this problem with larger birds such as ducks, or bumpers for that matter. She holds well and gives on command.

What should I do to correct this?

Thanks.
 
#3 ·
Pluffmudder said:
My Boykin Franny is a little over 1 year old. She has been Force Fetched and is currently going through Water T in her training. She has very, very high drive and desire for birds.

She is having an issue with giving smaller birds to hand, such as dove and quail. I have to apply high collar pressure in order for her to let them go, and even then shes mouthing them as she lets them go, reluctantly.

She does not have this problem with larger birds such as ducks, or bumpers for that matter. She holds well and gives on command.

What should I do to correct this?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Maybe you are going about this the wrong way ?
 
#4 ·
polmaise said:
Maybe you are going about this the wrong way ?
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That's a mouthful, Robt., especially what you've italicized and underscored.

I was about to suggest something at length that you've covered in a few words - had it all written out and was about to hit send when the forum note popped up that additional replies had been made to this thread.

In short, collar pressure with a bird in the dog's mouth - never. Reforcing on birds, particularly small, easily chomped birds like doves and quail - never. OK, once in a thousand and you better know the nuances of how it's done (but probably don't if you're the OP, as this is likely his first gundog taken through force fetch).

I'll put away my treatise for a PM should the OP want more amateur insight that may send him to a pro, but will say that far more often than once in a thousand, this is what a Boykin retrieving a dove should look like upon delivery

Image


and is also what the expectations should be for a breed that the bumper sticker proclaims BOYKINS MAKE BETTER DOVERS.

MG
 
#5 ·
crackerd said:
In short, collar pressure with a bird in the dog's mouth - never. Reforcing on birds, particularly small, easily chomped birds like doves and quail - never. OK, once in a thousand and you better know the nuances of how it's done
MG
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This !
......
MG , like the partridge popping Labrador, 'June' ...and a Balloon . Hope you are well matey .
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
crackerd said:
That's a mouthful, Robt., especially what you've italicized and underscored.

I was about to suggest something at length that you've covered in a few words - had it all written out and was about to hit send when the forum note popped up that additional replies had been made to this thread.

In short, collar pressure with a bird in the dog's mouth - never. Reforcing on birds, particularly small, easily chomped birds like doves and quail - never. OK, once in a thousand and you better know the nuances of how it's done (but probably don't if you're the OP, as this is likely his first gundog taken through force fetch).

I'll put away my treatise for a PM should the OP want more amateur insight that may send him to a pro, but will say that far more often than once in a thousand, this is what a Boykin retrieving a dove should look like upon delivery

View attachment 93617

and is also what the expectations should be for a breed that the bumper sticker proclaims BOYKINS MAKE BETTER DOVERS.

MG
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This I why I registered an account with the forum and posted this thread.

I am in no way a professional trainer. Franny is my first dog I have ever owned, and my experience hunting with bird dogs is limited. My experience as a trainer has come mostly by reading forums online and following a training program that I paid for. I do not expect Franny to be a Field Trial winning dog, however I do have high expectations for her as a hunting dog.

That being said, I'm meticulous and strive for perfection with all of my hobbies, retriever training included. I know that some of the best bird dog trainers in the country are on this forum, so here I am.

I want to get this corrected the right way.

Crackerd, PM sent.
 
#7 ·
bradco64 said:
Go back and reforcefetch with the birds they are having problems with. If she has been properly force fetched it shouldn't take long for them to catch on and not have the issue anymore!
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For the record, my computer was freezing. I was trying to like the Polmaise post below this, not this one. I can't find how to unlike it.

bradco may be correct, but to me, this could be misinterpreted and the original poster's issue could become worse, not better.
 
#8 ·
Chris Atkinson said:
For the record, my computer was freezing. I was trying to like the Polmaise post below this, not this one. I can't find how to unlike it.
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Mr. A - this lovelikefest for Polmaise is really grating and we can't let such sycophancy occupy rtf. (j/k, Roburrrt - and Mr. A). Actually was thinking of both y'all in a certain context Saturday whilst training and a name from the past - of another genially nettlesome individual we enjoyed for his rtf slant - came up. One of the other trainers reminded me that he had John's old two-hole Ainley box - I almost conflated it with another conversation about a dog's ashes and thought "Fallon's back with us for the day - hallelujah!"

On this Boykin bad bird mouthing thing, methinks pluffmudder is committed to getting it fixed - what he notes about meticulousness in his approach above (and as explained to me) is to be admired.

MG
 
#10 ·
crackerd said:
Mr. A - this lovelikefest for Polmaise is really grating and we can't let such sycophancy occupy rtf. (j/k, Roburrrt - and Mr. A). Actually was thinking of both y'all in a certain context Saturday whilst training and a name from the past - of another genially nettlesome individual we enjoyed for his rtf slant - came up. One of the other trainers reminded me that he had John's old two-hole Ainley box - I almost conflated it with another conversation about a dog's ashes and thought "Fallon's back with us for the day - hallelujah!"

On this Boykin bad bird mouthing thing, methinks pluffmudder is committed to getting it fixed - what he notes about meticulousness in his approach above (and as explained to me) is to be admired.

MG
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Mr. Fallon was one of a kind. Thanks for the reminder of him!

Chris
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
All, thanks for your help.

I've been going back and forth with Crackerd, and he has reiterated some of yalls suggestions and points and has been a great help to me and Franny.

Crackerd, PM sent.
 
#13 ·
Pluffmudder said:
All, thanks for your help.

I've been going back and forth with Crackerd, and he has reiterated some of yalls suggestions and points and has been a great help to me and Franny.

Crackerd, PM sent.
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Well, you're in good company regards Boykins and anything to do with bird in the gob ! Mind let us all know how you got on ,after your private consultations , otherwise it's just not cricket .;)
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
polmaise said:
Well, you're in good company regards Boykins and anything to do with bird in the gob ! Mind let us all know how you got on ,after your private consultations , otherwise it's just not cricket .;)
Click to expand...
Crackerd has been of great help to Franny and I for sure.

Franny has come a long way the past three to four weeks. Crackerd advised me to conduct walking fetch with birds to to tackle this issue.

We have conducted walking fetch the past two weeks, and began conducting short distance back piles with dove the past couple of days. There was mis-step, in which Franny glazed over and chattered some teeth while giving to hand while running a back pile, in which she was immediately corrected and training with birds was stopped for that day. We went back to walking fetch with bumpers, and reintroduced birds after a session or two, and ran short distance back piles again recently without issue.

I believe the wiggle-butt is nearing being able to run some marks with birds soon.

Crackerd, PM sent.
 
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Pluffmudder
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