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 Too Old to Force Fetch?
#6271451
04/22/16 05:46 PM
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 513
kman2017
OP
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 513 |
I just got a 6 year old lab off of this site. By far the best tempered lab I have ever seen. He has had some training and I have been working with him to reinforce what he has learned. He tears after anything I throw in the water and I have him doing marked doubles in the water. He holds until released, doesn't flinch a bit when shot over, and has all of his obedience down for the most part. However, when I am working with him on land he sometimes will just run up to the dummy and then just run around past it. This doesn't happen too often but do not want it to get out of hand. I'm not sure if the throws that I am doing for him are just to easy or what the deal is, but I believe force fetching would help this issue. So we come to my question: is he too old to be force fetched? You can see a picture of him below. He is just a hair under 90 pounds. 
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Re: Too Old to Force Fetch?
[Re: kman2017]
#6271479
04/22/16 06:05 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 91,416
bill oxner
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 91,416 |
Great looking lab. Give it a try and tell us.
Quail hunting is like walking into, and out of a beautiful painting all day long. Gene Hill ![[Linked Image]](https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/usergals/2017/07/full-3669-105539-full_16668_105507_image.jpg)
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Re: Too Old to Force Fetch?
[Re: kman2017]
#6271657
04/22/16 08:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,243
Judd
#1 Creedmoor Fan
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#1 Creedmoor Fan
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,243 |
I would let him be a dog for a while and not inject that trauma into the situation until you know he's stabilized into his new environment and family. Make everything fun.
I'd also guess that if you get him on live birds the reaction would be completely different. I personally wouldn't attempt it until he's more settled in and you know exactly what he is in real world hunting situations.
That coming from a big supporter of FF but also realizing you got a 6 year old dog. See what he all about before you worry with making him a polished dog.
Also - use a ton of praise at this point...when he doesn't pick it up then go get him to pick it up and when he does brag and act stupid about him doing good for you. Here is a key piece...don't play with him until he's tired...stop playing with the bumpers when he still wants more. Make sure bumpers are "work" and balls/Frisbees/toys are "fun"...he'll figure out the bumpers are business and the other stuff is for fun. They are smart and congrats...he's a beautiful dog...enjoy him.
That is my opinion and worth exactly what you paid for it.
Don't let your ears hear what your eyes didn't see, and don't let your mouth say what your heart doesn't feel
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Re: Too Old to Force Fetch?
[Re: kman2017]
#6271841
04/22/16 10:58 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 487
Birdhunter61
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 487 |
I don't think it would be fair to the dog. It would be like asking a 50 yr old trust fund baby to get a real job.
Robby
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Re: Too Old to Force Fetch?
[Re: Judd]
#6271910
04/22/16 11:45 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 91,416
bill oxner
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 91,416 |
I would let him be a dog for a while and not inject that trauma into the situation until you know he's stabilized into his new environment and family. Make everything fun.
I'd also guess that if you get him on live birds the reaction would be completely different. I personally wouldn't attempt it until he's more settled in and you know exactly what he is in real world hunting situations.
That coming from a big supporter of FF but also realizing you got a 6 year old dog. See what he all about before you worry with making him a polished dog.
Also - use a ton of praise at this point...when he doesn't pick it up then go get him to pick it up and when he does brag and act stupid about him doing good for you. Here is a key piece...don't play with him until he's tired...stop playing with the bumpers when he still wants more. Make sure bumpers are "work" and balls/Frisbees/toys are "fun"...he'll figure out the bumpers are business and the other stuff is for fun. They are smart and congrats...he's a beautiful dog...enjoy him.
That is my opinion and worth exactly what you paid for it. Bingo.
Quail hunting is like walking into, and out of a beautiful painting all day long. Gene Hill
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Re: Too Old to Force Fetch?
[Re: kman2017]
#6272729
04/23/16 10:04 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,673
kbobbjr
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,673 |
I FF a 6 year old dog last year. It's not uncommon for dogs to retrieve on water vs land as they don't have anything to distract them (usually).
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Re: Too Old to Force Fetch?
[Re: kman2017]
#6272731
04/23/16 10:05 PM
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 513
kman2017
OP
Tracker
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 513 |
Thanks for the responses!
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Re: Too Old to Force Fetch?
[Re: kman2017]
#6298150
05/14/16 12:51 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 122
LReichardt
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 122 |
I'd teach him to force hold first, that way he gets the idea it's not all a game. He sounds ready to start working with bumper wings, dead birds, and then live birds on land followed by live birds in water. He needs to go one step at a time to understand the difference between playing, training, and hunting. Be patient, he may not now what the heck you want the first time you throw a live bird. Expect him to just check it out a bit at first. I'd definitely start firing a cap gun during your throws as well, so he can associate the bumper falling with the round going off. Teaching an older dog to stay can be a fit as well. Be easy on the corrections with that, better to start with leash pole, then ecollar. If he's got drive, you can teach him.
Last edited by LReichardt; 05/14/16 12:53 AM.
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Re: Too Old to Force Fetch?
[Re: kman2017]
#6298660
05/14/16 09:25 PM
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 513
kman2017
OP
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 513 |
He was somewhat trained when I got him. I just think force fetching would clean up some things a bit. He isn't gun shy at all and holds to release. He would be fine as is for duck hunting for the most part. I know he loves birds because o live on a private lake and every time we walk he wants to tear after them. The things that force fetch would clear up for me would be his occasional no retrieve on land and his delivery to hand.
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Re: Too Old to Force Fetch?
[Re: kman2017]
#6299764
05/16/16 03:09 AM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 332
Sweese
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 332 |
He is not too old for FF/Conditioned Retrieve. How naturally is he with birds (clipped wing or dead)?
What are you wanting to achieve with him?
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Re: Too Old to Force Fetch?
[Re: kman2017]
#6299850
05/16/16 10:31 AM
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 513
kman2017
OP
Tracker
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 513 |
I live on a lake that has Muscovy ducks and he sure tries to tear after them when I walk him. So I'd say very natural. I am just wanting to use him for hunting.
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Re: Too Old to Force Fetch?
[Re: kman2017]
#6299865
05/16/16 11:38 AM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 332
Sweese
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 332 |
Got it. Most labs and other gun dog breeds naturally retrieve birds better than bumpers. God made bird not bumpers. I would definitely get him on some birds this next hunting season, or go buy some now, to see how he is with birds.
Personally, I would take any gun dog through conditioned retrieve, assuming you want the dog to deliver to hand, hold on to cripples, learn blind retrieve, off season drills, etc. However, the conditioned retrieve(FF) is not needed, and most are fine with their dog bringing the bird back close to them, or dropping it at their feet, etc..
Once you get a chance to hunt this next season, and get him on your birds you can make a decision at that time. Have fun.
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Re: Too Old to Force Fetch?
[Re: kman2017]
#6318831
06/01/16 07:58 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,689
slow944
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,689 |
If you just got him off the THF recently was he a rehome? He may still be checking you out to see if your going to keep him.. I think he'll do fine once he knows he has a solid home with your family.
I Have A 45 And A Shovel. Don't Mess With Texas!
According To "Kierchof's Law" Murphy Was An Optimist!
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Re: Too Old to Force Fetch?
[Re: kman2017]
#6318982
06/01/16 10:03 PM
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 513
kman2017
OP
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 513 |
I started the process about two weeks ago. Still on force hold so we'll see how he does going forward.
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