Retrieving Advice

Hey guys,

I have been working with my Black Lab puppy who is about 16 weeks old now. We are working on all the basic obedience and making good progress. However, his retrieving is lacking. I will throw an object and he will bring it back once or chase it and not pick it up. I know they say use a long lead and pull him back which has worked a couple times but some times he looks at the lead as a chew toy and focuses on it instead. The odd time he will do a few retrieves and then loose interest. Is this normal for this age? Any advice? I know they say stop when he looses interest but just want to make sure I am going the right direction.

Thanks,

At this age you should only be doing max 3 retrieves especially when he isn't very interested. A long line can help, if he isn't picking up the bumper and you reel him in without it he will start picking it up so he doesn't loose it. Most of all you need to make it fun for him. You need to get him excited about the bumper and not worry about obedience yet just let him go get it. Also they should be short retrieves in no cover.
deb

Is possible to do this in a closed up hallway. So the pup only way back is to you with the bumper- so you don't need a long line? Or I know a guy that used snow fence and make a so called "hallway" outside. It worked for me when my pup was younger and when took him outside- I didn't need the long line. The reaction to retrieve back was imprinted. And I would keep the retrieve minimal- like two to three times a day. Make the pup wanting more when your done.


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3 words.......Go....Stop.....Come

These are the underpinnings of retriever training, go as sent, stop when told to and come when called. I use these to put a frame work around your question about lack of interest. The hallway is a suggestion to create beginning habits of come or come back to you but that does not address your current question/concern.

Try to really excite him with a bumper and use verbal support like hey, hey, hey before you throw. Keep throws simple, short and do not tire the pup out or there goes your interest. You might consider getting some pigeon wings to add to the excitement. Never leave dummies lying around to play with, after use they go away.

You'll have to tell us about his breeding. Does he have field trial/hunt test dogs in the pedigree? Did you see the sire and dam? Were they working dogs?

The answer to these questions can also point to answers for lack of retrieving instinct.

Cheers.

My advice would be to stop focusing on retrieving so much. At that age giving him 1 or 2 retrieves twice a week is plenty. It will also leave him wanting more and build the drive you're looking for providing he has the breeding. Common mistake people make with gun dogs that retrieve is overdoing it and boring the puppy with retrieving or creating bigger problems. He's a retriever, he was bred for it. He doesn't need to do it a hundred times a day to be reminded of it. Cut down on the retrieves and focus on the important stuff like socialization, manners and obedience. It'll be okay :)

Don't forget to rub his tummy.

Or let him lick your face !

Thanks for the advice guys I will try some of these methods. Both the dam and sire are great hunting dogs and I have hunted over both of them. He will have the natural instincts I just need to be more patient I guess. I will keep you guys updated as we progress.

Thanks!