need a little advice in training?

mississippi_duc_htr · Postby **mississippi_duc_htr** » Wed Jul 17, 2002 6:53 am

A friend of mine has a half chessie and half lab. His problem is the dog does great marks corrects himself on command does doubles triples and is a great working dog, but if your working him and you fire a gun he will refuse too get the dummy's or ducks he's through for the day. the guy told me that he will enter the water a foot or so and thats it, wont go get the dummy's. he was a year old in June. Any suggestions? He really loves the dog and he's great I dont know what to tell him on this problem. He had ducks shot down in front of him last year but didnt make any retrieves.Refuse to enter the water after gunfire. [img]images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]

[ July 19, 2002: Message edited by: mississippi_duc_htr ]

Duck Nawteek · Postby **Duck Nawteek** » Wed Jul 17, 2002 9:01 am

Sounds like he made need to get forced fetched. If he has been forced then he may be needing to be force to the water. Talk to a trainer about that. [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]

mallard man · Postby **mallard man** » Wed Jul 17, 2002 9:23 am

Sounds to me like he may want to start looking for a new dog but that is kinda harsh we had a quail dog that was kinda like that and never could get it out of his system he had a great blood line and we also had the sister to the dog she was great but finally he just became a pet but takeing him back to the trainer and try force training might work good luck to your buddy.And i did not mean to sound ugly about finding a new dog but sounds to me like he has a major problem if the dog freezes up after gun fire. [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Don Miller · Postby **Don Miller** » Wed Jul 17, 2002 10:00 am

If your friends dog is less than 18 months old and is really fired up about retrieving, I would say that some expert help could get him turned around. If the dog is older than 2 years and is not excited and slow trots or walks to the retrieve, I would tell your friend to be in the market for another dog and retire the one he has as a good pet.

mallard man · Postby **mallard man** » Wed Jul 17, 2002 12:43 pm

I would have to agree with Don Miller on that one if the dog is still young and willing go for it put the money into him and make him the dog that you want, but if not needs to move on and make the ole pup a good pet.Good Luck to your friend! [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

mississippi_duc_htr · Postby **mississippi_duc_htr** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 1:03 am

Thanks for the advice fellas. I told him to come onboard.I informed him that there's always somthing or someone who will give him sound advice or @ least their opinion on any questions he might have concerning ducks,dogs, boats,guns blinds, regs., dates,and so on, and so on, and so on...................,hehehehehe it would take too long too name off the whole list. Cause we cover so much ground [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] in the words of one of my favorite ppl, Paul Harvey, "GOOD DAY" [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Bobby Williams · Postby **Bobby Williams** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 5:32 am

mississippi_duc_hr try to get someone to help and get some live pigions get a cap pistol, 22 blank, or something of a small cal. Clip the pigions wings so he can't fly and throw it out for the dog to retrieve. Once the dogs has gotten to the bird shoot the cap pistol, or what ever you have. You must keep the dog fired up and excited. Tell your firend to shot around the dog while he is eating. Throw a bumper in the water and when the dogs retrieves shoot as he is returning. It will take a lot of patience and hard work but if the dog is truly a retriever he might get out of that shyness. [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Bobby Williams · Postby **Bobby Williams** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 6:26 am

One more thing if he doesn't get out of this shyness tell him to keep the dog as a pet and get him a puppy. Oh he might try letting his dog watch another dog retrieve when someone else shoot. There are a lot of thing he can try before giving up.

goosebruce · Postby **goosebruce** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 5:44 pm

The obvious answer is to get another dog. Not trying to hurt anyones feeling's, but a mixed breed dog that is gun and water shy isn't excatly the ideal training candiate. I will say, this is the best answer no matter what develops from him trying to correct this, but sometimes the best answer isn't a possibilty.

So....if your SERIOUS bout trying to fix this (against better advice), there is no magic trick that is going to do it. You need to get into this dogs head, and his past, to find out WHAT happened to make him scared of the water, and guns. Odds are, the length of time it will take to correct this, and the work that will have to be done, seriously, will not be worth it (this dog wouldn't pick up birds shot in front of him, there is nothing more exciting than that). But if you are to proceed, find out what happened. My guess, dog had a bad experience with water and guns, like having his ass whipped with a gun, or a gun shot over his head for his first exposure to guns while in the water, or maybe even sprayed with shot while in water. Dogs (working dogs) normally love the water, and being gun shy is something caused, not genetic. A pro isn't a likely answer, cause any reputable pro would advise what you've already been told. Figure on months and lots of work to get this dog to even go, let alone love it. FF is a ness step, but forced the dog into the water will never make him love it, and if he doesnt love it, he shouldnt be asked to do it. travis

Bobby Williams · Postby **Bobby Williams** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 6:47 pm

Travis I once had a half english setter and half britten spanial that was one of the best quail dogs you will ever walk behind. He was what you would call a drop now he breed a pointer bird dog of mine and I kept one of the pups,guess you would call him a drip,he also was a fine bird dog. Now why can't a half chessie and half lab be a good duck dog??????? they both retrieve. they both can swim,why travis why???
You had better get your premium in to CAHRC if you ain't going to run come and judge. [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

goosebruce · Postby **goosebruce** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 9:24 pm

Didn't say he cuddn't be a good en cause he was half breed. Said he'd have a tuff time cause he wont go in the water, and won't go around shots. Duck dogs do need to get wet from time to time, and guns kinda go wif the territory.

Aint got no problem with him being a half bred, cept that means half of him is chessie! bwhahahahaha.

You still looky for judges? I could probably round up a loose one or two for that weekend, trying to find someone to ride wif me anywho. travis

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