CBR Owners?

Sadly I had to say goodbye to my best friend Cuervo. I adopted the 1/2 pit mutt from the spca and trained him myself. He was one of those dogs... the ones you will never forget and hold every other dog you ever own to in comparison. I will miss him greatly..

I never thought I'd be training another pup so soon but if you know me you know I cannot be dogless.

I am bringing home a Bay Dog pup this wknd and am looking forward to training the little sucker. My dog Cuervo was not the average "lab" and I understand that Chessies also do not learn in the same ways as a lab.

My first question as I prepare my training program for you guys is

Did you force fetch your Chessie? How did it go? Ear pinch/toe hitch? No ff?
Just looking for some 1st hand experience and stories.

Thanks

kdub...sorry to hear about Cuervo. I remember when you got him, cool pup.

Good luck and congrats on the CBR...can’t help a lick there.

Thanks Judd. He was my buddy for sure. Appreciate ya

The old saying is "you ask a golden, you tell a lab, and you negotiate with a chessie" or something really close to that.

I would train them the same way you would a lab. And each lab is different, so you have to train them all differently as well.

Good luck. I hear they're a good breed, but the taste must be aquired.

Sorry to hear about Cuervo, havd fun with a new pup.

Thanks Guy



I am learning about the negotiating part right now.

Pictures, we need pictures

good Idea Judd

check out migratory

Great looking pup based on the pics in the bird forum. Who's the breeder?

CBR's are a very hard headed bread, and come with their own sets of quirks(as with any dog). They are still are great breed for retrieving and family pet. I've seen some really good ones, and some not so good ones at hunt tests. They will do the job you ask of them at their own style. I used a book called SmartWorks by Evan Graham to train both of my labs. It was really helpful in training and force fetching them. sorry I don't have any first hand experience in training them. You will have your hands full with training your new pup. He looks like a good one, congrats.

From what I have been reading the "hardheadedness" is more intelligence and a different way of learning. Some people mistake them for being hard headed when really they are soft and can get their feelings hurt.

I found the history interesting while reading "THe Complete Chesapeake Retriever". Labs originates in Britain where they were used as an upland dog and they wanted an easy to control dog 'ie a lab you can run with a whistle and e collar like a remote control while the CBR originated in the US as a dog that would fit the needs of the market gunners retrieving up to 100's of waterfowl daily. I'm not saying that they do not have a different disposition that can be viewed as hard headed but I think what it is is more of a "you do your job and let me do mine" attitude.

I personally got to hunt over Jeff Elders CBR years ago and was impressed by that dog. He found birds we didn't even realize we had killed.

The reason I am asking about FF is that I have read that Chessies can thrive with positive reinforcement and being shown what the handler wants and can shut wdown with too much pressure. I am seeing some different ways of learning in the pup right now although it may just be his disposition. He is a bit apprehensive of things (not afraid) but wants to check things out before barreling in head first if that makes sense. If I give him a minute or let him explore new things first he quickly warms up to them.

I force fetched Cuervo and am able to do it again, probably will, but we will see. I have a new book on the way buy Butch Goodwin that was highly reccomended to me by a friend because Goodwin takes his training from a Chessie Handlers perspective. Should be a good read.

Hickory Creek Chesapeakes in OK
They still have some puppies from his litter btw.
She is legit and provides all the health clearances etc.

Have you looked into Bill Hillmann's videos? He's my favorite trainer going, by far. He focuses heavily on keeping a dog excited and happy, while enforcing rock solid commands. His e-collar conditioning and force fetching is pretty counter-intuitive, but it works.

I wouldn't worry about a pup that alerts on something new. Then wants to check it out, and is okay with it afterwards.
Its the ones that tuck tail, and won't go near it. That would concern me.
This is just pups in general.

Thanks^^

I will check out Bill Hillmann.

Check out Richard Wolters too. I'm using "gun dog" on a black lab/golden mix right now.

Not sure how it will go over with a Chessie but i remember the one my grandfather had, it was a fine dog if not a little head strong. I think they take their job pretty serious but I think you also get out what you put in. Treat them right and they will do what you ask of them.

Good luck with the new one and try not to compare, I know that's hard! It's been 16 months since I lost my big old yellow girl and I miss her every day but the new boy is gonna be a better dog.