Gundog Training Forum

I have a rabbit skin dummy that I bought recently and my labrador loves it. When I have it in my pocket she’s eager and I can get her attention easily.

I have been working on her steadiness when throwing it out for a retrieves or sending her for a memory retrieve.

I have also used it as a reward for recalling quickly, when I use it as a reward should I let her run after it immediately or can I have her sit and wait till I release her? I’m concerned making her wait for it will no longer make it a reward. I don’t reward her with a retrieve every time incase she loses interest in the dummy, she hasn’t shown any signs of losing interest yet though. I’m thinking buying a variety of different ones could help as well.

You watch the dog and see the reaction in the different things you do.That said, in the beginning I would reward quick in order to tie the two. Later, you can introduce steadiness. All going well, mix things up, keep the dog guessing.

Does she like a ball ?
I use that as a run in reward, she knows she can run in on a ball but not a dummie or bird

Yeah she likes balls as well. I’ll switch the dummy for a ball for rewards and see how she goes.

I have always allowed run ins to balls and used it as a reward for many things, she absolutely understands the difference between ball and dummies. I think it may be confusing to allow run ins with the same thing you later want steadiness with ie dummies

ips wrote: ↑Tue Oct 23, 2018 7:45 pm I have always allowed run ins to balls and used it as a reward for many things, she absolutely understands the difference between ball and dummies. I think it may be confusing to allow run ins with the same thing you later want steadiness with ie dummies

Like all things, you train for it. A ball can be a cue 'to go' and so is 'get out' before the throw. Sometimes a dog is told 'ok' and can get on the couch, other times, it is off limits. If you have a cripple (runner), then you use the same cue to send asap, other times waiting is in order.

I have always used quick fun retrieves as a reward and to break tension if a dog seems to be getting downcast in a training session. However Iwith my last pup I have been using techniques I learned watching a very well respected American Retriever trainer Bill Hillman. He is reputed to have great success with very positive (by American field trial standards) methods. He uses something he calls “the game” where he plays a bit of keepaway with the dummy in his hand and playful tone and posture. He then gives the dog the dummy. My dog loves this and it takes less time than a fun retrieve and keeps more control. He has lots on u-tube if you do a a search.

Here is a dog rewarding itself with a retrieve.


https://www.facebook.com/LADbible/video ... 231636338/

newf wrote: ↑Sun Oct 28, 2018 5:45 pm Here is a dog rewarding itself with a retrieve.

https://www.facebook.com/622682323/post ... 062112324/

This just links me to someone named Monica .

My dog has started to play keep away with the dummy now so I’ve only been giving her retrieves where she can’t run away, in an enclosed area on our walks.

She runs back to me but doesent want to give me the dummy. She chews it and tries to play games with it, sometime she releases it first time and I give her plenty of praise but 80% of the time she won’t. Any advice on what to do when they are doing this?

Put a line on her. Pull her in for a spell and take the dummy and praise. After a few times, dispense with pulling in, give firm jerk and relax line. This will punish her for not coming in and allow her to decide what is the best course of playing retrieve.