Gundog Training Forum

With all my dogs when training I always spend a good minute or so praising the dog by stroking around the chin and upper neck area while it still has the retrieve in it's mouth. This relaxes the dog and makes it comfortable to bring whatever it has close into you (sat on my feet). It also encourages the dog to release the prize to you.

If a dog proves to be particularly reluctant whilst I'm praising it I'll slip my thumb into the dogs mouth behind the dummy and tickle its gums/tongue at the back of it's mouth. This usually gets the dog to release it.

IMO more important than the dog giving the prize over is the dog being comfortable to bring it in close (sat on my feet). As long as it's not dispalying unwanted behaviour, ie, chewing, growling, theres nothing to worry about.
Regards,
Lee

better getting a respected pro to see it, could mean a few things. Have you ever done hold and release drills? similar to FF but without any of the pain/discomfort

I was just going to suggest a hold/release drill. I do it using titbits as the reward - you just have to waive it under their nose at first until they get the hang of it. I even practice doing it with bones. My young dog brought one of her old bones to me this morning & 'presented' it of her own volition, so I swapped it for a titbit & gave it her straight back. I also play games of 'swap' in the yard, tossing a tennis ball & swapping it for another thrown ball as soon as the dog brings it to hand. These are just tossed a couple of yards into a corner so the dog has fun chasing the ball bouncing off the walls. I also use balls a lot for retrieving & will give them straight back to the dog after it has delivered to hand, so the dog never worries about being 'robbed'. If you do this type of thing from them being pups then they never worry about you taking stuff off them.

Naj

Thank you all very much, I've just booked a block of five lessons with a local trialer/trainer