I am trying to work on his hold then retrieving. I feel I am being a bit hard on his mistakes and not helping the cause. First he plays fetch all day long in the house but one I get him in the field or even the yard he doesn't want to retrieve. And second I'm working on his holding a dummy in his mouth. I feel he holds because of fear. I have a very stern voice and I think its affecting his training. I have tried to reduce my level of voice and be more positive but I'm not for sure if I'm doing it right. Here's a video of a hold.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s_mk4Ujf4E&feature=youtu.be

Any suggestions?

FF

That dog is totally afraid of you and is not enjoying it at all. You need to back up and make it enjoyable for the dog and then get back to the hold. You can force them through the training, but you will never have as good of a dog as one that enjoyed the training.

I agree with Stinkbelly

How old???

Angie

2 1/2 years

dogs are either an introvert or an extrovert IMO. maybe you need to go back to some basic yard training for a bit...like the heel command, sitting.... give him a break....then i would start the force fetch training. turn fetching into a job instead of a game...don't put to much pressure on the pup and always end on a good note....even if it's a heel back to the pickup

Most folks overdue their training when starting a pup...My Dad's
rule w/ " Kill birds over them, they'll train themselves"..reward
success and ignore failure...You do not want to correct a shy pup
to the point of making the animal not perform..it's supposed to be fun..even if you are frustrated...Your dog may take a little longer to train, but it will require a lot of patience on your part, and the ability to overlook his screwups...and pups have plenty..Dad couldn't hunt his Proctor Pointers with other dogs,
because they'd kill a dog that didn't honor their point or growled at them...and Doc wgtd 96lbs and Rock 86..so they were large
and mean..Most dogs now days do not get that big and have better
attitudes...Don

Don't talk to him...dogs can't talk.

Use a gentle hand and demeanor and show him what you want him to do. Dog's can't learn when they are scared or hurting.

Stinkbelly's philosophy has credenence. Don't rush him...when you train you can't go too slow.

Also suggest you look into some educational materials. I like the Dave Walker method for training. It's very simple and to the point. Plus, Dave speaks Brittany.

Thank you all for the advise. He is good on his basics even with hand basics. I will look into everyone's advise and move forward for him. If you think of any more info you need to share please do and I'll keep you posted of the progress.

I would like to report back on my dogs progress. I introduced to him some dead doves and he loves them. I have made noticeable progress and want to share with you.

http://youtu.be/uclPevZg4v0

Pretty good stuff.

Nice progress! I have had britts all my life and the main thing about them is they are willing to please and typically sensative so some professional trainers don't wanna mess with them. What are you planning on hunting with your dog? I ask b/c typically a pointing dog you wouldn't want whoa and sit. Good lucking dog you have there. I am totally in agreement with Stink! The last 5 or 6 dogs we have gotten we totally used the put them in birds and try not to screw it up technique. Good thing about well bred dogs are that they have everything you need in their blood and all you have to do is give them the chance by getting them in birds.

I plan on hunting quail and dove with him. He has to be a house dog too. I don't live in the country where he has free roam. I live in a community that we take walks and runs all the time. We interact with people and cars all the time and need him to be able to sit and whoa for his Safty.

I have had indoor dogs that hunt and I think that's the beauty of a britt as they are great family dogs. Just shed too much. lol Dog safety is certainly important so I can understand working on that. I have always considered whoa as a don't move on your point command and stay as a you better sit right there and don't move command. Teaching whoa has always been first in my book as my dogs have always been pointing dogs so sit really wasn't the biggest command but if a dog is going to be used as much for retrieving then sit and stay would be just as important. Main thing is I saw much progress in your video. Britts are wonderful dogs but certainly require a softer touch and voice than most and that's what makes them such great family dogs!