Page 4 of 4 FirstFirst ... 234
Results 31 to 35 of 35
  1. #31
    Senior Dog IRISHWISTLER's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    CT
    Posts
    2,598
    Thanked: 3967
    I hear crickets chirping.

    Irishwhistler

  2. #32
    Puppy
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    35
    Thanked: 4
    Ahh. Hmm.

    We did a short session at lunch yesterday during which I threw more "no birds" - I think I read you should throw something around 75% "no birds." So I'm trying to be better about that. Her holding was good.
    Took her to the Grandparents' house for dinner. She was feeling ornery and fetched some cucumbers out of the garden.

    Cut the wings off my duck last night. I've got them sitting with the ends in a bowl of salt in the garage to help dry them out. Bought another canvas bumper at the local Farm & Fleet to attach the wings to. The two employees at the checkout couldn't figure out what it was or what I would use it for. I told them what I was going to do to it. I don't think they knew what to think of me after that.
    Showed the duck body to Hailey last night after I had taken the wings off. She sniffed it a little, but was rather unsure...which surprised me. Usually she's out finding dead things. I didn't push it at her. Just let her look and then put it back in the refrigerator.

    I've decided I'm an awesome wife. Dead ducks in my freezer and my fridge and here I am handling them too. I've helped process deer, but it's been a long time since I've handled dead things that still look like cute animals and not just hunks of meat, lol.

  3. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to a.curtin2011 For This Useful Post:

    Coalman (08-12-2014), pinseeker (08-12-2014)

  4. #33
    House Broken EvanG's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    57
    Thanked: 8
    I appreciate your efforts, and that you're trying a disciplined approach. Lacking an actual program I see a real need for information to guide your efforts. I'll try to make a few connections here, as well as suggesting some better terminology.

    When a retriever watches an object (bumper or bird) fall, and is required to sit until sent by the handler, that skill is called "Steadiness". A truly steady dog does not stand or move forward in any way until the handler sends him. The standard command for sending a dog on a "mark" (aka "marked retrieve"), which is a fall the dog sees, is his or her name. The sequence would typically go - object is thrown, or falls like a shot game bird, then the handler sends the dog by saying its name. The dog is to go, fetch, and promptly return to the handler to sit and deliver the object as commanded. Obviously, there several obedience tasks/commands that are previously trained and assembled in a uniform sequence in order for retrieving to be organized and predictable.

    As in all sports and pursuits, there is a standard jargon, even differentiating fieldwork from other types of retriever work. In my first book, Smartwork for Retrievers volume one;Basics and Transition, there is a glossary of terms to assist the newer trainer in becoming familiar with the language of our sport. Here is a link to a good one. Glossary of Retriever Training Terms

    As to your 75% no bird practice, this is just one more reason why you should choose a real modern! sequential proven training program and follow it. That practice is called "denial", and it can suffocate the retrieve desire in some dogs. Avoid doing any training based on formulas and percentages. Learn to read your dog. One of the commonest phrases I use in my seminars is "Train the dog you're training." If you attempt to use any training technique by a set percentage for all dogs your success rate will plummet. Denial isn't a good technique anyway, but 75% with one dog may work out, while even denying 10% of another dog's retrieves may quickly discourage him from retrieving altogether!

    There is much to learn in order to successfully train a working retriever, which is why it's so rewarding! All skills should be built on a foundation of formal Basics. There are only a few truly top notch programs for retriever fieldwork, and all of them follow that same proven behavioral pattern. The better ones have all continued to streamline and upgrade techniques over time. It's not really hard to pick a good program. Just check them out and see what they actually produce for the people using them.

    Testimonials---Endorsements

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xEiZFkUSO58

    EvanG

  5. #34
    Puppy
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    35
    Thanked: 4
    I am as horrible about keeping a dog training diary as I am any other type of diary. We live.
    Been focusing on general obedience and generally having fun.
    I have taught fetch w/o the use of FF. I used the same method the competitive obedience people use and it has worked very well for us. Hailey will pick up any odd thing I ask her to and the transition to duck wings went very smoothly. Been using the Mallard Dokken duck dummy which she is crazy about for some reason. Time to thaw out a duck.
    The hunter I've been working with has informed me I need to start being firmer as we've entered the "I can't hear you" phase of adolescence and while Hailey eventually does what she's told she's saying "wait a minute, I'll get to it when I'm ready." So we have very recently added an e-collar and have just started conditioning.

    Hailey's sire has been sent to Danny Farmer for professional handling. I'll be interested to see how he progresses.

  6. #35
    Puppy michael m's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Clarence NY
    Posts
    37
    Thanked: 7
    Quote Originally Posted by a.curtin2011 View Post
    Been focusing on general obedience and generally having fun.
    I have taught fetch w/o the use of FF..
    Glad to learn that you are focused on general obedience, as it is the foundation on which you will build your retriever. I am also very pleased to read that you are keeping it fun and that Forced Fetch was not necessary for this dog. Instinct and genetics to retrieve are still in the breed and I like that you took that stess out of the training relationship because you didn't see the need to use that technique with this individual dog.
    Best of success to you as you continue to train your dog. Keep us posted.
    Michael M.Hidden Content

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to michael m For This Useful Post:

    Sue (10-03-2014)

 



Not a Member of the Labrador Retriever Chat Forums Yet?
Register for Free and Share Your Labrador Retriever Photos

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •