Growling

[Lazar]

Thanks everybody gives me a lot to go on I just need to starting showing him there's fun time as well as training time think I mite knock the training on the head for a bit.

[munstyman]

I think the Op clarified the growl here:

Playing up I mean he growled again he lays down mouthing the dummy and shaking it as I went to take the dummy that's when he growled

A play growl usually accompanied by ragging an object is generally about attracting your or other dogs attention vocally.
In the OP case , they indicate that the growl was more in timing of the approach to take the retrieve from the dog, which would indicate a defensive or possession growl. I assume that is how the trainer saw it, and hence the correction approach.
If the `playing up' was originally caused either by frustration of watching others work, or by confusion during the directional training exercise, it is fairly common for a dog to `take it out ' on an inanimate object in its mouth, and while in that state of mind it can fairly easily slip into a defensive posture, even if the intention is not there. ( How often do you see pups play fighting `ending in tears' )
If the handler is getting uptight it is fairly easy for a dog to read the approach as aggressive even if that intent is not there ( although to be perfectly honest , you more often than not want to marmalade their furry arse ) So its easy to see how things can quickly get out of hand, and that old adage of `we have a failure to communicate' can quickly take both the dog and us down the wrong path.
This is why I advocate NOT going to the dog, you must always manipulate the situation to make the dog come to you
In this situation I would just take a step back from `formalising' the retrieve, showing more pleasure to his achievement when he returns stuff to hand. Work on the `giving up' rather than `taking '. And put the growling thing out of your mind, I'm sure it was just one of those `failure to communicate' things

[Lazar]

Tonight I was throwing a tennis ball down the garden he went for it and was looking for me I sat on a bench by the house and he would come back and drop it ready to be thrown again, thanks again Munstyman.

[Springfield Pointers]

I think the Op clarified the growl here:

Playing up I mean he growled again he lays down mouthing the dummy and shaking it as I went to take the dummy that's when he growled

A play growl usually accompanied by ragging an object is generally about attracting your or other dogs attention vocally.
In the OP case , they indicate that the growl was more in timing of the approach to take the retrieve from the dog, which would indicate a defensive or possession growl. I assume that is how the trainer saw it, and hence the correction approach.
If the `playing up' was originally caused either by frustration of watching others work, or by confusion during the directional training exercise, it is fairly common for a dog to `take it out ' on an inanimate object in its mouth, and while in that state of mind it can fairly easily slip into a defensive posture, even if the intention is not there. ( How often do you see pups play fighting `ending in tears' )
If the handler is getting uptight it is fairly easy for a dog to read the approach as aggressive even if that intent is not there ( although to be perfectly honest , you more often than not want to marmalade their furry arse ) So its easy to see how things can quickly get out of hand, and that old adage of `we have a failure to communicate' can quickly take both the dog and us down the wrong path.
This is why I advocate NOT going to the dog, you must always manipulate the situation to make the dog come to you
In this situation I would just take a step back from `formalising' the retrieve, showing more pleasure to his achievement when he returns stuff to hand. Work on the `giving up' rather than `taking '. And put the growling thing out of your mind, I'm sure it was just one of those `failure to communicate' things

Great post Munsty. Great advice.

[Naj]

As a matter of interest, does he ever growl at you at any other time?

[Lazar]

Sorry for not getting back earlier no he doesn't its only when trying to get the retrieve back. Took him out on Friday hunted really well I was dead relaxed through a tennis ball out he stayed away I walked off and he ran in front of me and dropped the ball tried again further on same again I walked off he came running back to me no ball sent him to find it he did bought it straight back to hand, this is this best bit sent him into some woods and he came out with a dead rabbit and drop it I walked off and he came with me. I'm hoping he will start to trust me soon I'm going to take my time and keep going back to basic's.

[ips]

Progress then, well done

[munstyman]

Well done for not `compromising' on the dog dropping in front, you would be surprised at how many would have picked up that ball, and inadvertently played into the paws of the dogs `new game'.
Many forget we are the ones with the end game in mind, the dog is just doing what suits it `right now'. All training and `games' are a route to the end game, so the more deviation you allow the dog to make along the scenic route the less time you will have to enjoy the destination.
Sounds like you have things in hand though, again well done