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pixie bee

MH
Posts:4449

08/24/2011 12:00 PM
Can I nitt-pick? Good - thanks - stay =whoa fetch=go,get something,bring it to me and wait until I command release (come) here=very important aspect of the fetch command back=fetch if he is very good at these you would not be having issues He has poor mouth habits, it needs to be cleaned up. It sounds to me as tho he does not understand the pressure of the ear pinch. Are you sure he has been force fetched?

"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7839

08/24/2011 12:06 PM
Thanks for the video. I took a look at it. So as way of a disclaimer I use FF on my dogs for two things: the obedience ring where they retrieve a dumb bell much like the one in the video , and for field work. I start by teaching my dogs to hold objects. I do NOT use an ear pinch at that point. I start by opening their mouth and having them hold my fingers. I have my dog sitting on the floor (I don't use a table or bench), open their mouth, put my two fingers in the mouth and say hold. Almost immediately I wiggle my fingers and say drop. The wiggling will cause the dog to let go of the fingers. I repeat this training over a few days several times a day lengthening the time I ask the dog to hold my fingers. I then progress to a glove on my hand, and then different objects like a dowel, dumb bell, bumper, etc. At this point I am not putting pressure on the dog just asking to hold and drop. Once the dog understands hold, and they may even be offering to take the object (most do) it is time to up the ante a little and ask them to hold the item and walk them around. All the time I give a ton of praise for holding the object when asked and dropping when asked. Once your dog understands the hold and drop commands, then it is time to start the FF training. Take the ear between your fingers and also have your dog on a leash so he can't escapte. Move the object you are asking them to hold in front of their nose. Ask them to take it and hold. They may actually reach for the object without you doing anything. If they do, praise and up the ante again by moving the object further away. If they ever refuse to take the object employ the ear pinch and keep the pressure on as you help them take the object. Immediately release the pinch when they take the object and praise them. Gradually work further and further away until you have the object on the floor. Work in small increments and stop on a positive note. Do not progress to the next distance until your dog is taking the object willing at the current distance. Keep this up until the object is on the floor and the dog offers to pick up the object when you give the take it or fetch command without an ear pinch. Now you can start toss the object a little ways away and again if the dog refuses, employ the ear pinch. Some dogs are easy and some dogs are harder, some will yelp, some say nothing, some act like you are treating the horribly, etc. Know that it is a phase and they quickly get over it and become happy reliable retrievers when done. Others have variations on this method, some use a toe hitch, some use an ecollar. I like the ear pinch the best and it works well for me. I am sure I will get corrections if I got anything wrong and others will chime in with their recommendations. I personally did not like the video as it just assumed too much in the process without laying the foundation for teaching hold, etc.

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7839

08/24/2011 12:16 PM
On another note, I notice you said trained in Houston. Do you live in the Houston area? If so, do you belong to the Gulf Coast Shorthair Club? What about NAVDHA? There are folks in both clubs in the Houston area that would be excellent resources for helping you work through the issues with your pup. I would strongly recommend you join one or both clubs. If you want more info on either or both, let me know and I will dig up the info and send to you.

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

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