At what age do you start to get a sense in puppy's? 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 7 weeks, later???? When do you typically see that first bit of interest?

Zeke was 9 weeks when I got him and he liked it and by the time he was 11 weeks he loved it.

I guess the question is, when you have a 7 week old and he shows little interest, can that desire increase and what causes it? Is it simply as their eyesight improves? Their brain continues to develop or other factors?

Discuss please.

From what i've seen they have a "switch" that will click anywhere from 4 months to a year old.

I you're talking initial drive. you can see it as early as just a couple weeks old. But yes the more their senses develop the more they will "get it". By 9-10 weeks you should more than likely be able to easily get a couple of short retrieves from him. But they do go through phases where they will test your/their dominance etc. Also imo weeks 14-20 are probably the most important in training, as the brain really begins to develop. You don't want to miss a single opportunity in that window of the learing stage.

Thanks for the input. This pup comes from really good stock. The sire is HRCH and the Dam is HRCH with UH. And several GRHRCH, AFC/FC, NFC. NAFC...dogs in the bloodline on both sides.

But, at 7 weeks, he just doesn't seem to get it yet. About 70% of the time, he will trot to the object, sniff it and come back without ever picking it up.

He was exposed to dead pigeon and wounded pigeon at the breeders. I've tried a duck wing and he is more of a sniffer at this point. I am sure he will get it with the bloodline he has, just comparing him too much to my last one I suppose.

I wouldnt worry at all if the pup is only 7 weeks. Just make sure you are only giving him a couple retrieves a session or even a day and just start building up his drive. Also make sure you arent trying to steady the pup yet, let him start running after the bumper whenever he wants.

What causes it? Quality breeding, or lack of.

Yes it can be increase but there should be something there at 9 weeks. If you try to make ice cream out of crap your going to end up with crappy ice cream

I hear ya, but it ain't the breeding in this case. Between 124 dogs on the Sire and Dam's side, there are 68 titled dogs. The parents and 75% of the grandparent are titled in that bunch.

I know it is possible to get a bum pup though with any breeding isn't it?

Good. Maybe at 7 weeks I am just expecting too much. I am a natural worry wort

What is the pup doing before you try to get him to retrieve? If the pup has been playing all day with your other dog and or kids all day that will have a large effect on the dogs drive to retrieve. I would crate him for an hour before you take him out to retrieve. Plus make sure there aren't other distractions like kids or your other dog.

Good point. That may be part of it. I've been trying to keep him active as much as possible so the little turd will sleep at night He's whooped by the time it's bed time.

Does he really, really want it before you throw it?
If not don't throw it.
Try to find a way to get him excited about the puppy bumper.

my two cents...at 7 weeks of age you shouldn't have given him enough retrieves to come up with a # like 70% If he doesn't want to do it, don't make him. If he does retrieve something, praise him like crazy and quit right there; it'll make him want it more the next time. Make sure it's a fun object, too. A rag with a knot in it works well.

His retrieve drive can definitely turn on a little later, but if you push it too much now you're going to do way more damage than good.

Cockerfan, thanks for the input. I know how to train a dog. Its not that I dont know how totrain one, it's that he isn't showing really any interest in picking it up at all


As for the 70% of the time, 90% of all percentage statistics are made up

I've thrown it maybe 10 times at most for the 36 hours he's been here. He's picked it up only a couple times.

Sorry, wasn't trying to imply anything I'm just speaking from experience. My first Cocker didn't care much for retrieving until she hit about 10 months of age, then the switch flipped and it wasn't a problem. I remember it was a very strong temptation for me to keep trying to get her to retrieve, when in retrospect I'd probably have been better off just putting it away for a while. I kept telling myself that "maybe this time she'll do it".

Good luck with the dog...I wouldn't give up hope just yet

I wanted to highlight that part before I got misunderstood IMO that time period is very important as far as obedience goes. OB and teaching the dog "how to learn" are going to be more important than retrieving. Especially with the bloodline your dog has Jason

He's fine...Suede was doing weird stuff when she was that young and is a retrieving maniac...just be patient...I worried way to much in the beginning...once he does do that first retrieve go crazy make sure he knows he did something great....let us know when he does it! I bet it will be within the next few weeks