Break in the action...

[Labradorks]

This may be the stupidest question you have ever heard but I need to know the answer, lol! I know the "long dead ducks" are used multiple times and kept frozen in between uses. Does the freezing/thawing/freezing/thawing and sitting out in the Summer heat while training not cause an issue for the dogs? Can they not get sick? I know I have removed some very disgusting items from the mouths of multiple dogs but this sounds even more extreme than a dead bird, dead frog, cat poop, etc. I would be scrubbing myself with bleach if my dog snuck a kiss after holding a long dead duck in its mouth, lol!

I don't use skanky ducks, personally. Once I went to a picnic test and your fingers could go through the ducks. It was also hot out that day and the flies were awful. Most dogs had problems with it and I definitely had a problem with it! I want training to be fun and positive so I generally don't ask my dog to pick something up that is basically old roadkill. He will, but it takes the joy out of it and the reason I do this with him is because he loves it. I'm certainly not doing this for me! I will use fresh dead over and over until it's pretty beaten up. And I will freeze them and then use them partially frozen for awhile. It's a personal preference, so if I go to a picnic test, I always ask about it before I sign up. My trainer either uses a fresh duck or pigeon or we use one that was previously shot that day, depending on what we are doing. The other trainer mostly uses bumpers. Recent hunt tests use a mix of bumpers, live birds (usually pigeons) and fresh kills.

[Anna Scott]

Don`t think the dogs really mind what shape the birds are in as long as they get to retrieve. I remember one time we were using bumpers to training and my old girl brought me back a duck that had to have been in the water for over a week. It was really gross but she sure was proud. At $12.75 per duck we use them as long as they will hold up. You mention hunt tests using bumpers. What tests are these and are they licenced tests. A number of years ago one organization tried to go to the use of Dokkens in their tests. It almost put them under.

[Coalman]

MaxxandEmma, it is good that you ask questions because it shows you care about the whole package. Some things in life are just not for some of us. But being informed lets us all make better decisions and speak knowledgably about different subjects.

Really enjoying this thread because I am learning.

[TuMicks]

I found out that a lot of time, the question I wanted to ask, turned out to be one other people wanted the answer to but were afraid they'd appear dumb. Everyone in my training group already knows I'm the one who who is most clueless. I only picked up field training (after about a 25 year hiatus) 7 years ago and in that time have encountered very few retriever people who are genuine butts.

[Maxx&Emma]

Thank you all, mostly for not making me feel stupid and also for answering my questions! I honestly don't mind "appearing" clueless and will be the first to admit I am, lol! BTW, Maxx&Emma are my dogs, I am Tammy! Thanks again for all the info you have shared with me. Please keep the stories coming, I am really enjoying everything you all share.