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Question about 10mo brittany #6519867 10/31/16 05:18 PM
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TexasUplander Offline OP
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My brittany pup was coming along quite well this summer even though he has primarily been a ranch dog and pet. For a while i think he thought he was a cow dog! He has always been free to roam which i never did with my other dogs. They were kenneled, training, or hunting, and they were very good hunting dogs IMO. I have 2 questions. This pup was doing extremely well fetching a tennis ball with quail wings taped to it. He would bust brush to "hunt dead" with no issue. No he will retrieve in the yard, but doesnt want to retrieve in the tall grass or brush. I took him out yesterday evening for a hour and shot 5 birds over him. He WOULDNT retrieve ANY of them! he would go up to them, sniff them, and move on. He has a tremendous desire to hunt but i dont know what to do from this point. Suggestions?
Secondly, how many of you are able to have a true hunting dog that is also a family dog and allowed to roam? Is it even possible? Thanks for the time and help!!!

Last edited by Chuckw; 10/31/16 05:18 PM.
Re: Question about 10mo brittany [Re: TexasUplander] #6519936 10/31/16 05:49 PM
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Simple answer; force fetch

My hunting dogs have always been pets year round along with being hunting dogs during the bird season.

Re: Question about 10mo brittany [Re: Texasphez] #6520156 10/31/16 08:06 PM
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Originally Posted By: Texasphez
Simple answer; force fetch

My hunting dogs have always been pets year round along with being hunting dogs during the bird season.


Can you expand on "force fetch" please. I am not familiar.

Re: Question about 10mo brittany [Re: Texasphez] #6520193 10/31/16 08:31 PM
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Originally Posted By: Texasphez
Simple answer; force fetch

My hunting dogs have always been pets year round along with being hunting dogs during the bird season.


But, not pointers I hope.



Quail hunting is like walking into, and out of a beautiful painting all day long. Gene Hill


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Re: Question about 10mo brittany [Re: TexasUplander] #6520820 11/01/16 02:01 AM
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Force fetch is the process of applying pressure on the dog to train him to retrieve. Can be a long process and takes some commitment on your part, but the outcome is the behavior that you desire. When I did it for the first time I found a video series on you tube that I followed after reading about it on another forum. Standing stone kennels, I believe was who did the videos( thank you Houghtonic).

Re: Question about 10mo brittany [Re: bill oxner] #6520844 11/01/16 02:12 AM
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But, not pointers I hope.



No not pointers. Just a pudelpointer, and I never let them in the house!

Re: Question about 10mo brittany [Re: TexasUplander] #6521767 11/01/16 05:54 PM
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I did a little research on the "force fetch". I think thats what i need to do. I played with the pup for a while yesterday evening and he was retrieving the frozen quail vigorously every time so i thought i would try to shoot some more for him. Shot two and he did went to them but wouldnt retrieve again. I just dont understand why he doesnt want to put the fresh dead birds in his mouth.

Re: Question about 10mo brittany [Re: TexasUplander] #6522551 11/02/16 12:55 AM
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I usually pass on this...BUT can't pass this one up LOL Do yourself a huge favor and throw some happy birds for the darn dog NOT in cover but short grass and NO commands just get the dog interested..JEESH

Re: Question about 10mo brittany [Re: TexasUplander] #6522677 11/02/16 01:58 AM
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Is he finding game and pointing well? You can do "force fetch", which is also called "the conditioned retrieve", but it can be frustrating for a first timer with a dog that is not natural retriever. If your dog is doing everything else fine then I too would recommend FF. There are lots of videos out there as well as help on this forum. Additionally, you could seek out a pro.

One quick thought regarding "ranch dog". Sometimes keeping a dog kenneled or not allowing them to roam will create a bit more playful energy. That can sometimes help with the retrieving. Since he is running around all day, grabbing anything he wants, he may not be finding much fun in your retrieving games.


Regards,

Jay
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www.jayschwisow.com

Re: Question about 10mo brittany [Re: Sweese] #6522803 11/02/16 03:12 AM
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Originally Posted By: Sweese

One quick thought regarding "ranch dog". Sometimes keeping a dog kenneled or not allowing them to roam will create a bit more playful energy. That can sometimes help with the retrieving. Since he is running around all day, grabbing anything he wants, he may not be finding much fun in your retrieving games.
Ditto


Bobby Barnett

Re: Question about 10mo brittany [Re: trainer21] #6524036 11/02/16 09:19 PM
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Originally Posted By: trainer21
I usually pass on this...BUT can't pass this one up LOL Do yourself a huge favor and throw some happy birds for the darn dog NOT in cover but short grass and NO commands just get the dog interested..JEESH


Your reading comprehension is lacking. In the evenings I have been throwing hin several "happy" birds which is a quail carcass i keep in the freezer. He retrieves to hand EVERY time without issue. Then i take him hunting until dark. He is finding birds VERY well and holding points FAIRLY well, but he still refuses to fetch a fresh killed bird and really doesnt show much interest in them at all. He just wants to move on to the next covey!

Re: Question about 10mo brittany [Re: TexasUplander] #6524271 11/02/16 11:47 PM
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Shot birds are NOT HAPPY BIRDS if he is NOT picking them up...but you obviously know more than me...Happy birds are NOT the same situation he is FAILING IN..and I may be missing something but I did not see the word happy birds or throws in any of what you said..you do not know what a happy bird is!!!! If I were you I would learn about training from someone in your area before you go further...Hint hint use a fresh killed bird as a happy bird or a frekn live bird good lord

Last edited by trainer21; 11/02/16 11:59 PM.
Re: Question about 10mo brittany [Re: TexasUplander] #6524359 11/03/16 12:28 AM
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What the hell is a happy bird?

Re: Question about 10mo brittany [Re: TexasUplander] #6524507 11/03/16 01:26 AM
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LOL

Re: Question about 10mo brittany [Re: TexasUplander] #6524604 11/03/16 02:14 AM
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Happy bumper, happy bird = fun retrieve, rewarding retrieve, etc.


Originally Posted By: Fooshman
I'll take a Black Female every time.

Re: Question about 10mo brittany [Re: scalebuster] #6524635 11/03/16 02:28 AM
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Originally Posted By: scalebuster
What the hell is a happy bird?
One that I shot at. elmer


Bobby Barnett

Re: Question about 10mo brittany [Re: TexasUplander] #6524667 11/03/16 02:40 AM
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Absolutely force fetch that Brit. Go watch some videos or read up on it and get that pup on a training table. Work the dog about 3 times a day. Don't give up and stay patient. In two to three weeks that dog will be retrieving ON COMMAND.

Re: Question about 10mo brittany [Re: The Point] #6528981 11/06/16 06:05 PM
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Good chance he will come around as season progresses. I WOULD NOT force fetch during regular season--some dogs will quit hunting during the process. Play fact a lot but quit after several throws. You always want the dog wanting more. Natural fetchers will sometimes get bored with the game if you keep it up too long.

Last edited by Mundo; 11/06/16 06:06 PM.
Re: Question about 10mo brittany [Re: TexasUplander] #6540753 11/13/16 01:13 AM
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Two choices shoot him or call me.


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Lying is lying. Don't bitch about one doing it and condone another. That's called hypocrisy.
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Re: Question about 10mo brittany [Re: TexasUplander] #6554635 11/22/16 07:13 PM
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Maybe skip the frozen bird and see if he will retrieve the hunted birds in the evening?


Originally Posted by bill oxner
I just turned it on . I was looking bird dogs in the butt this morning.


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