subject: The Perfect Hunting Dog [print this page] There will be days in your hunting career with your dog when the air is frigid, the water is almost ice and theres a stiff north wind blowing just to keep things interesting. Those are the days that many ordinary retrievers have second thoughts about diving into freezing water to make a retrieve. But, in developing a well-trained dog, you want a retriever that will go into the water every time you give the command to retrieve.
Even though your dog may already love to retrieve, the force-retrieve method, also referred to as the conditioned retrieve, force-fetching and force-breaking, will give you the control you need to teach your retriever to retrieve every time. To see this visually, watch the Water Dog and Top Dog DVDs.
The force-retrieve training does just what the name implies: it forces the dog to make a retrieve. Done properly, its not inhumane or especially difficult but it does put pressure on the dog. So its important that you not begin the force retrieve until you know your dog is mature enough emotionally to take the pressure. You also must make certain that your dog has all of his adult teeth before teaching the force retrieve. If the dog has tender gums from teething, the force-retrieve will be too painful to the dogs gums. You do not want to associate pain with the act of retrieving.
To teach the force-retrieve, you want to get Pup up off the ground and onto a force-fetch table.
A dog feels in control on the ground, where his instincts tell him he can escape the pressure. You want to take away the feeling that he can escape. Having the dog on the force-fetch table puts you in control. Remember the rule: never give a dog a command that cant enforce. The leash gives you the power to enforce commands on the ground. The table gives you the power to enforce the force-retrieve off the ground.
Well continue this important lesson of force-retrieving in future articles. If youd like to see it in its entirety, the DVDs Water Dog and Game Dog will show you in detail.
To order, go to your favorite, major outdoor retailer or order online on Family Dogs website. There is free shipping special running right now, through October so dont delay!
Happy Hunting!
by: MidNCmedia
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