The Brittany Forum

doganjo · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 1:03 pm Post subject:

So what's the secret of getting them OUT of hunting mode - I am having the greatest difficulty with Allez. He's just fixated on finding game.
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Annie

Handle every situation like a dog, if you can't eat it or play with it, just pee on it and walk away

guy · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 3:43 pm Post subject:

guy · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 4:11 pm Post subject:

Jokes apart... It will not happen overnight.

You have to build the 'desire' to retrieve. (or train FF). Avoid simple exercises, dogs are not stupid. Lots of praise, food if it works, little and often; one or at most two retrieves in an early session. Let the dog run in (this helps marking and increases excitement - how many dogs do you see in the park mis marking a tennis ball or frisbee?) Make them use their nose as well as their eyes. Dogs love to run - so drop a retrieve as you walk and send the dog 'back' to it. (starting as a seen but later a blind) The dog will go back for it, the natural desire to be with you or in front of you will bring dog and retrieve back to you. The dog will run the path so it is running a line without realising it. Set teh retrieves up so the dog 'wins' and you win. So don't start by going into the middle of a park with lots of other dogs running about but go somewhere 'bland'. If a field walk teh field first yourself without the dog to move any game off it

The dog has to understand the 'stop' whistle and OBEY it.

The recall needs to work. A retrieve is only a recall with something in teh mouth

The dog needs to hold when it is told.

You have to be the 'authority figure' when it matters. So the dog is not pulling ahead on the lead as you walk - but respecting your role. You choose where and when to hunt. Tell the dog to go and hunt, don't let that be the default activity. One of the downsides of park based training for a dog is its need to leave pee mail all the time. You need to stop this when the dog has been told to do something.
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Guy, Ellie, Topaz, Catja and in memory Barley
Beauty from Structure
www.epagneulbreton.org.uk

guy · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 4:15 pm Post subject:

I would start by making the dog walk to heel carrying a dummy when it goes out for a walk - and if it doesn't, don't go. Every time.
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Guy, Ellie, Topaz, Catja and in memory Barley
Beauty from Structure
www.epagneulbreton.org.uk

doganjo · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 4:22 pm Post subject:

I think I'll give up now. All that should have been done when he was a puppy and I didn't know it then.
_________________
Annie

Handle every situation like a dog, if you can't eat it or play with it, just pee on it and walk away

guy · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 5:38 pm Post subject:

don't give up - Topaz wouldn't retrieve at one, Santiago's dog at three or four?

You will just have to take 'puppy steps' One step at atime.

Retrieve before going hunting - every time. They soon learn what to do to get what they want. Laughing

I can assure you the feeling you get when they do finally get it is VERY special.
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Guy, Ellie, Topaz, Catja and in memory Barley
Beauty from Structure
www.epagneulbreton.org.uk

Tricky micky · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 5:58 pm Post subject:

It really is quite simple really Anne. You go where there is no scent at all to start with probably on a long line or a flexe-lead with treats if need be. Then slowly go from there. But you must be able to stop him in the sit position on the whistle again on lead first. Then keep him CLOSE no more than20-30 yards to start with. You won't go far wrong if you do these basics first then SLOWLY build on it.

doganjo · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 6:17 pm Post subject:

What annoys me most is that he was doing all this when I was up North - 100 yard stops and sit to whistle, stop to shot (still does that but can't take starting pistol around with me), long hidden and memory retrieves on dummies and on cold game, marking to fall. I don't know what has happened. I don't have my own field any more and have found it very difficult to find anywhere to take him that is safe - ie if he runs off hunting he doesn't go in front of a car.
_________________
Annie

Handle every situation like a dog, if you can't eat it or play with it, just pee on it and walk away

Tricky micky · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 7:05 pm Post subject:

Don't Panic Mrs Mannering. You said it ( all in your own field) now you have moved, back to basic's .There is nothing wrong in keeping him short to many let them go to far then find they start getting problem's and wonder why get him fully focused with you before you go any further. I had big problems with hunting - mode but not anymore, she would love to go hunting but as she is having puppies in 3- weeks time I don't think so!
Good luck
Mick

Victoria · Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 3:18 am Post subject: