Lab Training: Force Fetch and Hand Casting

[RiverRat00]

Need to teach the above mentioned to my 9 mo lab.

Can I get any ideas as where to start, I have read several books but they don't go into details about the force fetching!!

Also how does one train to stop a dog with whistle at a distance?


Want to hunt doves and ducks with this dog, thanks for your help...

[Muddy Bud]

Teach your dog the sit command. Walk with him at your side stop, blow your whistle once firmly and have him sit every tim you stop. Keep him on a leash till he starts responding. Repeat over and over till he starts sitting on his own at the whistle. Then you can start sending him on short retrieves and whistle he should stop every time you blow it. Not a over nite thing you have to be willing to put time in to it. Took my lab about a month after working with him every day for an hour.

[Maxlab]

When you taught him to sit you should have also been using the whistle at the same time. Very easy to do. For force fetch I would use a professional trainer. If done wrong you can ruin a dog. Also remember not all dogs handle pressure the same so be carefull when force fetching.

[cantexduck]

Smart works.

[New2bows]

Smart works.

Evan Graham's smartworks is the best video on force fetch

[Playa]

Smart works.

X3

[RiverRat00]

Really

Evan Graham's smartworks is the best video on force fetch

I have heard this about that guy!! Do u by any chance have the DVd?

My dog sits on whistle but not when he's out fetching

[EastTx]

I have heard this about that guy!! Do u by any chance have the DVd?

My dog sits on whistle but not when he's out fetching

If the dog is ignoring your whistle command stop letting him retrieve. Go back and reinforce sit/whistle means sit! 9 times out of 10 a dog that will ignore a whistle is a dog that breaks a lot while hunting. As far as casting it can be started with a drill called force to pile but only after you have completed force fetch. I would suggest following a program with your pup and as others mentioned Smartworks is a very good one and also the one I follow with my dogs.

[Maxlab]

I have heard this about that guy!! Do u by any chance have the DVd?

My dog sits on whistle but not when he's out fetching

When you blow the whistle when he is going on a retrieve and does not stop hit him with the E-Collar. Don't fry him but he should have a level where he responds to it. This will give him correction when he ignores the whistle. Do not use the E-Collar if he is not collar conditioned.

[bloodtrail18]

I find stopping the dog coming in a little easier than when going out for a retrieve. Have your dog sit. Then walk away a few steps and call him to you. When he gets half way hold up your arms while blowing a sit whistle followed rby a verbal sit command. If he doesn't sit when u raise up take him back to here he was when u gave he command ad sit him. One he has this down try stopping him going out. It should be a little easier now that he has the idea.

[Swampa]

I would send him to a good trainer for force fetch. The whistle should already be in use.

[New2bows]

you can find the video at any of the online training stores or at his website. I gave my copy away several yrs ago

[Storm]

For force fetch do the following get a leather collar adjust it to where your fits under it palm up (this is for lack of better word your control hand) the dog is allways at sit when FF flip the near side ear up and hold it there with your thumb. For the first week use no pressure to the ear but say hold and open up the moth and roll a bumper into his mouth he may try to spit it out you just have to teach him to hold it, he will figure it out. The second week hold the bumper to his mouth and say hold and give a small pinch and release to the ear this part they pick up fast. You will notice that he will start getting faster when you do this so now you can change the word to Fetch and then say hold when it is in his mouth. Your not finished by a long shot you now have to teach fetch from his muzzle to the ground in increasing distances. this is the best I can explain it to you without being there to help you out . If he has problems figuring something out go back to a previous lesson and refresh on that depending on his drive and desire Force Fetch may take 6 - 8 weeks to complete.

[RiverRat00]

So far very good responses and ideas.

[Berretta Man]

When you taught him to sit you should have also been using the whistle at the same time. Very easy to do. For force fetch I would use a professional trainer. If done wrong you can ruin a dog. Also remember not all dogs handle pressure the same so be carefull when force fetching.

Very good advice here.