I’ve got a 12 week old Boykin and am starting to consider looking into trainers. Based off research I’ve done, I’ve discovered 2 factors for training a good retrieving Boykin a) they’re traditionally soft and b) force fetch can have negative psychological impacts on your dog. Given this combination, what would be advised? I don’t want to have a dog that hates retrieving but at the same time want to make sure i have a dog that retrieves. I guess it doesn’t help that he has a bit of a stubborn streak to him. Anyone have any tips or pointers, much less experienced trainers in Texas?

Your Boykin won’t retrieve naturally?

By force fetch, I’m not talking about retrieving. I’m talking about the process of getting your dog to hold and hand over birds properly. He retrieves pretty well for 12 weeks. I’m just making it fun for now, but i want to be ready to get him into a good trainer early so that at 7-8 months he can go and then be ready for hunting next year.

I wouldn’t force fetch til after second season for a gun dog. Trialers do it earlier.

I don't understand the negative affect force fetch training any dog, all of my dogs are force fetch trained as soon as they get their permanent teeth.
Force fetch shows a dog who is Alpha. Forrest

FF has zero negative effects if done properly.....


From now until he's 7-8 months old focus on positive experiences out in the field, at home and in public.

Obedience training in the house and yard.

Find a trainer that has worked with Boykins and send them around 7-8 months old.

If you send them a pup that has basic obedience such as sit, here, heel, like birds and loves to retrieve they should be extremely pleased.


.....and I wouldn't hunt a dog that hasn't been FFed.

Trained and hunted spaniels for nearly 25 years. Have never had to teach a force fetch. These dogs are pliable and want to serve. Not saying it's not possible but have never had an issue.

Just so we understand. FF is not used to get a dog to retrieve.

FIeld trial retrievers are some of the highest powered most insane retrievers on the planet and every single one that is competitive is FFed.

It's not about making a dog retrieve who doesn't want to. It's about teaching a dog how to learn and is the foundation for more advanced training.

As someone who has amateur trained 1 Boykin to an HRCH/Master Hunter Retriever and currently working on my second Boykin that is 11 months old (we are thru Basics/swimby, and are currently in Land Pattern Blinds/Water Tune Up), I'll echo everything BradyBuck has said.

For trainers with Boykin experience for Retriever work, I dont think there is another Pro in Texas that has ran more Boykins/had more success in Retriever Hunt Tests than Tim Cramer at Top Notch Retrievers in Giddings, TX. I would start there. He has several Boykins in his kennel right now, maybe even over half of his kennel is Boykins currently but dont quote me on that.

Send me a PM with your phone number, Id be happy to talk training/Boykins/etc.

-Josh