Bird Hunting
Hey guys, So I been training my GSP to hunt birds. I live in New England and we got hammered with snow this year. So I taught her basic commands and fetch inside. Well now I been introducing her to the fields/woods almost everyday. She loves it, I plant wings and scent cover bumpers and she seeks them out. But I noticed now she seems bored with fetch. I toss her wings, bumpers, stuff animals, and even shoes. She'll run to the object, bite it and then usually run away. Sometimes she still fetch and I praise the hell out of her, but it is too inconsistent. She is 5 months old, very active, and a good listener. I am guessing she is bored with fetch. I want her first year to be fun and for her to devolope her natural skills before I make her a "polished dog." But, I am running out of ideas, anybody else ever have this issue and if so what did you do?
Okay, go back to working inside. Kitchen is a good place. Put some dog treats somewhere handy but up out of sight where they won't be a distraction. Use a tennis ball. Dogs love them and they bounce. That's exciting and helps keep their attention. Get right down on the floor and work with the dog. They love that. Toss the ball a little ways and let the pup run after it immediately. Go right with her and make a big deal out of it when she catches the ball (roll her on the floor, scratch her belly, tease her with the ball, give her a treat, etc.). Get her real worked up and start gradually pitching the ball further away. Then make her sit and wait a minute before fetching. You get the picture. I think you probably went outside a bit too early. Too many distractions out there. Keep it going in the house for a while longer where there's no other distractions and it's close quarters. Just her and you. Try this and get back to me with the results.
Bottomline is you can overdo fetching. You need to quit when it is still exciting for the dog. I want to make my dog obey "heal", and not sprint off when you throw the whatever. They can learn to mark it down while they sit...then retrieve it if you want a waterfowl dog.
Thanks guys,
Both of your tips really helped. The tennis ball was great idea and I only throw the ball to her a couple times, this way she eager for more fun time.
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Okay, go back to working inside. Kitchen is a good place. Put some dog treats somewhere handy but up out of sight where they won't be a distraction. Use a tennis ball. Dogs love them and they bounce. That's exciting and helps keep their attention. Get right down on the floor and work with the dog. They love that. Toss the ball a little ways and let the pup run after it immediately. Go right with her and make a big deal out of it when she catches the ball (roll her on the floor, scratch her belly, tease her with the ball, give her a treat, etc.). Get her real worked up and start gradually pitching the ball further away. Then make her sit and wait a minute before fetching. You get the picture. I think you probably went outside a bit too early. Too many distractions out there. Keep it going in the house for a while longer where there's no other distractions and it's close quarters. Just her and you. Try this and get back to me with the results.
Bottomline is you can overdo fetching. You need to quit when it is still exciting for the dog. I want to make my dog obey "heal", and not sprint off when you throw the whatever. They can learn to mark it down while they sit...then retrieve it if you want a waterfowl dog.
Thanks guys,
Both of your tips really helped. The tennis ball was great idea and I only throw the ball to her a couple times, this way she eager for more fun time.
Post a Reply