force fetching

[quakwacker]

About how long will it take a trainer to get a dog force fetched?
I have a 6 month old that I believe is ready. I am also a baseball coach and will be gone until after dark everyday for the next 3 or 4 months and I thought that this would be a perfect time to get it done plus it would keep him up on his obedience as well since I won't have a whole lot of time to work with him.

Also if you know any good trainers for not a whole lot of money in northeast ms that would be great too.

[pntailhntr]

Sounds like you may be trying to force him along a little to quick. I cold be wrong though, but I would think Force Fetching would come around 9-12 months.

[MD11Pilot]

you r wrong, pntail. force can be done once permanent teeth are in...usually around 6-7 month time frame. maturity of the pup and progress in training should be taken into account as well.

[Faithful Retrievers]

6 months is a bit young the earliest I would do it would be 8 months. It is also true that when the adult teeth are in you can begin. As always each dog is different and I would try to guage the maturity of the pup. Is he ready for the stress of FF? Has he been properly CC? If I were you I would look up Jesse Sheppard in Booneville/Tishomingo BFE and talk with him. I have taken a pup to him just for FF and he did a good job. Its not a bad idea whom ever you take him to, go ahead and take him and let them get used to each other before FF. Just my 2 cents.

[akgarris]

I agree. Six months is usually too young. Wait till the pup is ready physically, mentally AND emotionally before you start. Just because their permanent teeth are in doesn't necessarily mean its time to FF. Good luck!

[B3]

I think it depends on the dog. Plenty of dogs are ready to start formal OB and then FF at 6 months. If the dog is less enthusiastic about retrieving I would wait. If he's a ball of fire I'd go ahead.

Make sure obedience is solid first.

Bill