releasing the retrieve

[ryno]

hi all, i've been a member for a good while ,but tend not to post mostly just observe and obsorve your most exellent knowledge. anyway the new cocker bitch i'm training is a little reluctant to release the retrieve! i've tried gently taking her head backwards but she still resists.shes been really easy thus far and really wants to please. p.s.this has only just started and i cant think of anything that may have triggered it. thankyou very much in advance of any advice yours in sport ryan

[lee-kinsman]

What have you tried so far to encourage her to release the retrieve?

[ryno]

to be honest i never praise my dogs until the retrieve is presented and in my hands. also i dont want to encourage a drop on floor scenario. so nothing really . any ideas?

[pontbeck]

Offer her another dummy as a swop for the one she's carrying

Bill

[Rascal]

Are you in too much of a rush to take the dummy? Try fussing her physically till she relaxes and almost forgets she's got it then gently take it on your release command....Then immediately throw it again so she realises that the sooner she gives you it then she gets to chase and get it again..

Rascal

[Andrew]

Ryno your description is a little ambiguous. the dog obviously does release at some point, how do you achieve that?

If you do have to force the release do you do it by rolling the dummy within the dogs mouth?

[Springfield Pointers]

Is this with game?

[ryno]

Thanks for the help so far , she releases but only when she's ready with the command "dead". She hasn't retrieved any game yet although she has worked and flushed in a pen! Thanks ryan

[Rascal]

My apologies I thought this was a pup we were talking about. Why don't you get a trainer to give the pair of you the once over as someone that can see it would be better placed to advise.

Rascal

[Allyson]

Rascal's advice is good as sometimes what is actually happening is not what the owner think is happening and an observer can often identify key points which the handler has missed.

In any event NEVER get into a competition with a dog over a retrieve.

Any attempt to will just encourage a dog to clamp down harder, pull etc in opposition.