Water retreiving issues
#184911 - 03/09/2008 02:32 PM |
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My 3 year old lab will retrieve very well on land, and bring the bumper back to me every time. He loves to swim, and I often through bumpers for him to retreive in the water. The problem I'm having is that when we are doing retreiving in the water he refuses to bring the bumper to me. He always drops it ten feet away from me. It is not because he doesn't want to play anymore, he is on the edge of obsession with swimming and retreiving in the water. I just can't figure out why he won't bring it to me, and how to get him to bring it to me. Any of you retreiver owners have some ideas?
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Re: Water retreiving issues
[Re: Peter Meaden ]
#184979 - 03/09/2008 09:27 PM |
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Hi Peter;
What type of retrieve did you originally teach him? Lots of ideas for you, but my suggestions will be based on what your foundation training.
Thanks,
Roni
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Re: Water retreiving issues
[Re: Roni Hoff ]
#184987 - 03/09/2008 10:41 PM |
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I initially trained him to retrieve a ball or toy in my yard. I would alternate making him heel before retrieving, and then just throwing it and playing with him. He would always bring it to me though. Most of the time he'll drop it in front of me, however if I say "give" then he will hold it until I take it from him.
Thanks,
Pete
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Re: Water retreiving issues
[Re: Peter Meaden ]
#184989 - 03/09/2008 11:39 PM |
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It ocurred to me that perhaps he is trying to keep the toy to himself, and me getting it just makes him want to get it back. So, when I throw it, it's an opportunity for him to get his toy back, as opposed to being a fun game that we play together. Is that possible? It doesn't seem to be the case in the back yard, occasionaly he'll bring me the toy to try and get me to throw it for him (which I ignore). I thought of using a long line, but he tends to drop the toy if I pull on the lead.
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Re: Water retreiving issues
[Re: Roni Hoff ]
#185379 - 03/11/2008 12:06 PM |
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I'd love to hear your recommendations Roni.
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Re: Water retreiving issues
[Re: Peter Meaden ]
#185474 - 03/11/2008 09:11 PM |
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Hi Peter;
I would go back to land and trade for either food for bringing you the bumper or another bumper if food driver is not high enough. I want the dog to enjoy each and every step of the retreive. I also do not want any conflict between the dog and myself. The object ( whatever that might be, duck, bumper, tug, ball, toy, etc,) is just another way for us to interact. That is why, I can work with people of all disiplines, because it's not about the e collar, or the other tools of the trade, its about the relationship! Good Luck and happy training!!!!!!
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Re: Water retreiving issues
[Re: Roni Hoff ]
#185592 - 03/12/2008 04:34 PM |
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He does not respond to food when retrieving. It is not sufficient to distract him. He does have high food drive, there's just something about the water toy and bringing it to me. Does anyone have any specific suggestions? I will certainly work with motivation and being clear on what is expected of him.
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Re: Water retreiving issues
[Re: Peter Meaden ]
#185665 - 03/12/2008 09:51 PM |
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Hi Peter;
I would start on land first. Work with the bumpers you are going to use in the water. Throw the first one, as the dog reaches for the bumper call his name run backwards shaking the bumper you have in your hand, alomg with saying his retrieve command. If he doesn't pick up the bumper, run towards bumper #1, encourage him t0 pick up, and run backwards. Make #2 come alive (eliciting prey drive)(like a crazy rabbit)As soon as he drops #1 throw # 2 and repeat. Do not demand the give, you are working on his come back to you. I promise this works. When this looks good on land. Go t0 water and introduce but throw short distance and increase incrementaly. Happy Training.
PS I have more suggestions, but I don't want t0 scare you. lolololo
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Re: Water retreiving issues
[Re: Roni Hoff ]
#185806 - 03/13/2008 03:56 PM |
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Thank you Roni, I will work on that and let you know what happens. It sounds good to me!
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Re: Water retreiving issues
[Re: Peter Meaden ]
#185808 - 03/13/2008 04:12 PM |
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I can't tell from your original post but when the dog drops the bumper 10 feet from you, does he still want to play fetch, or does he now want to play chase (or not play at all anymore?)
My Lab/Aussie mix loves to fetch a tennis ball. If she drops it too far away, I tell her "I can't get it!" and she will come back, pick it up, and drop it closer.
I taught her this by not going to get the ball. If she wants to play, she needs to bring it to me. (THis only works if they really want to play). If she doesn't bring the ball directly to me, "yawn, I have better things to do, game over." She figured it out VERY quickly.
Edit: I think Roni's idea is probably better.
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