Hi,

I'm working my one year old GSP through the SmartFetch program.

So far we have the following.

In the sit position he confidently holds a dowel, paint roller or training dumbell.
I have him walking with something in his mouth for distances of 200-400 meters.

Is he ready to move on to the next step of teaching him to fetch via the ear pinch method?

Thanks

Alex
 

What is the SmartFetch program? I'll look online and see if anything pops up.

I introduced an ear pinch before I taught Hold.

PS- Just found the book on Gun Dog Supply. Doesn't it say in the book when he introduces the pinch?

Evan is on GunDogForum, you might post there for his response.   But if the dog is doing all that I would think he was very ready to start ear pinch.

The initial purpose of the pinch is to get your dog to say,  "ouch"

When he goes......"ouuuu"  you stick the object in his mouth.   The mili-instant the object is in the mouth you as fast as possible let off the pinch.   This typically doesn't take very long for the dog to learn, < Object in mouth, pain go away>.  Soon they begin to reach for it, or anticipate the pinch.  You add in the verbal cue and slowly increase the distance the dog much reach....eventually laying it on the ground, then tossing....and on and on, etc, etc.