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I have a new pup and this will be my second time to train a dog myself(still very new to this), I have never force fetched a dog and need a little help, what is the best time to start one(age?) and what are the best methods, I know different ppl have different ways of doin things I just wanna go about it the right way, any tips would be greatly appreciated, thanks

Age would be whenever all the puppy teeth are gone, after that you can start the first steps of force fetch with the hold command. I prefer the ear Pinch method, just because I never researched any other methods so it's the only one I know. There are lots of materials to read, look into some Evan graham videos or books. This step is the groundwork for all other training so take your time, don't move on until the current step is solid! Good luck and have fun with it!

Go buy the videos "Duck Dog Basics" with Chris Akin, and "Fowl Dawgs 1" with Rick Stawski...both are great videos and show you very effective ways to train from the beginning with basic commands (heel, sit/stay, here), intro to water, intro to gunfire, hold, force fetch, intro to doubles, etc. Both are great videos and explain everything in great detail. I would recommend both and after finishing that, I would buy the whole set of "Fowl Dawgs 1,2,3 and 4" and "Duck Dog Basics 2." Hope this helps, and by the way, the ear pinch method works great.

thanks for the info guys.. im pickin my pup up on saturday and im pretty excited about it

BucksandDucks wrote:Age would be whenever all the puppy teeth are gone,

That usually occurs around 6 months. But don't just start because the new teeth are in. Check your pup's gums. After teething they will sometimes remain sore for a week or more. Sometimes not, so check your pup. Also, be sure your obedience is stellar before starting.

BucksandDucks wrote:...after that you can start the first steps of force fetch with the hold command. I prefer the ear Pinch method, just because I never researched any other methods so it's the only one I know. There are lots of materials to read, look into some Evan graham videos or books.

There is a book strictly devoted to FF titled "SmartFetch", and a DVD of the same name.

BucksandDucks wrote:This step is the groundwork for all other training so take your time, don't move on until the current step is solid! Good luck and have fun with it!

That is correct. FF is the engine that drives all field skills, so be thorough, and get the most detailed instruction available.

Start now with a quality puppy program to set up all the formal training to come.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bywrx4O9FeY&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd72kl9lZlc&feature=plcp

Let me know anytime I can be of help.

EvanG

+1 on chris advice(bucks and ducks) and mr evan advice Smartworks book in my opinion is the best book to follow when coming to training. My dog is 8 and i still today go back and read chapter after chapter when it comes to training. Probably the best advice is patience when you get into force training gonna take alot of patience.