[C Smith]

I have a 14 week old black male lab off of 2 GRHRCH & MH. He is retrieving birds and bumpers but has not gone crazy over it like he has to have them. At what age normally does the light switch go off in pups head to make him feel like he cant live without them? What could trigger the switch?

 

[arklahunter]

My 6month old was a little non-chalant about retreiving, but her drive has really picked up since she was introduced to water. Seems like if I give her a few day break from retrieving and keep her somewhat isolated she remembers it's her job and really picks her up. This is quite anectodle since I am very new to this and she is my first pup.

 

[Mark L]

I don't know that I have an answer for you, but keep it going and it will develop. I know I was worried about Peyton not showing enough interest when she was young, and now I think she would rather retrieve bumpers and birds more than eat...

Just make sure, like others will tell you, stop a training session with them wanting more, and you will be rewarded in the end.

Mark

 

[Howard N]

I had one that really turned on when I intro'd birds at about 11 months.

 

[Jennifer Henion]

In my male, it wasn't until about 18 months that he decided he was obsessed with retrieving anything. As a pup, wrote him off as a dud. But kept working with him to become a hunt test dog. At 6 to 8 months he was retrieving birds from land and water but with no ounce of inner drive. And no bumpers - could not care less about bumpers - which is why I put him on birds - to build drive. simply to make us happy. Despite that, he got his JH at 14 months. At some point, and I don't know why, he became absolutely obsessed. Balls, bumpers, birds - anything. He is now two and drives us crazy with wanting to retrieve.

On the other hand - just picked up our new puppy who is 8 weeks old today and she was born with tons of drive to retrieve. When we went to pick her up, she retrieved a live pigeon three times. She goes after anything we throw and brings it back!!

So don't give up, it just depends on the dog. Your pup will likely come around if you nurture the retrieve drive and stay patient and don't ruin pup by showing frustration or applying too much pressure. My dud will be a senior hunter this fall. Delay from ear infections this spring.

Good luck and stick with it!!!

 

[kjrice]

I have a 14 week old black male lab off of 2 GRHRCH & MH. He is retrieving birds and bumpers but has not gone crazy over it like he has to have them. At what age normally does the light switch go off in pups head to make him feel like he cant live without them? What could trigger the switch?

Patience...

 

[MooseGooser]

Now that Ya posted that about your concern for your puppy,,,,,,,,,



Any day now!!!


I have the same type breeding as you..Both parents GMHRC, MH QAA

I worried everyday.

Like Krice said.... Be patient...

 

[JustinS]

When they get Force Fetched and then Collar Conditioned to Fetch and then Force to Pile- ha
Granted the force training kind of lights a fire under there butt a bit some dogs take time and others are retrieving while they are nursing- (not really) but you get my point take your time and have fun and when your pup looks like they are having the most fun - kennel em up

I think of it this way, the first time you make it to first base with a girl, and you want more she says lets wait -"i.e. she kenneled you up"
Then when you get to go there again you are even more excited as you might get to go to second "Then your kenneled up again"
After you finally make it to HOME base you REALLY love going to home base.
for our dogs once they get to retrieve birds "get to home base" they REALLY love it
so dont feel bad about kenneling them up because we all had to go through it too.

 

[Dustin D]

I had one that really turned on when I intro'd birds at about 11 months.

and here I was concerned that my 4 month old hasn't been intro'd to birds yet