Jeramie Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 My golden retreiver turned 1 in July. Im not working with as much as I want but she is still doing well. I was told (on here) to force fetch her. I wasnt sure what that was so I bought a training DVD and learned about it. She is doing good with the force fetch. Im using all sorts of things from Sticks, dowl rod, and even small ducks. She will hold for about 45 seconds and I have to push up on her bottom jaw and say "Hold." She will. I can then say release and she will let it go in my hand. However, she has a serious hangup with size. She wont carry back anything heavy. She herself weighs about 70 lbs so it seems like a no brainer to me. I can take a wing off of a duck and toss it. She will bring it back without question. I can take her canvas bumper and toss it with or without a wing tied to it, again, she will bring it back no issues. I can toss a tennis ball.... same thing. She is even doing good about holding when I tell her to stay. I started pointing to the object and saying, "Fetch it up." and she will break her neck to get to it so that is even working. However, when it comes to weight its a no go. If its heavy she will not carry it back! I bought a Doken Dead Fowl Trainer (mallard) and she refused to bring it to me. However, our corgi will drag it back in a heartbeat (she is 1 too). I took a small duck I shot this weekend and tossed it and told her to fetch... not going to happen. She runs to it, smells it, looks at me like im crazy, and then heels. You can cut the wing off of the duck and throw it and she will break her neck to find it and bring it back... just not the duck.. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3seasons Posted December 2, 2011 Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 Sounds like she is doing real good. Go back to the hold portion of training. Use the duck or Doken duck while doing this or make a dowl with 2x4 blocks on each end giving it weight. Work her into it. Hold means HOLD nothing less. Fetch means FETCH nothing less. The force and hold portion of the training can be the hardest but sounds like she is almost there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 are you actually forcing now--using ear pinch. If not you need to go to ear pinch and eventually a collar to "force" the fetch. Not uncommon at all for dogs not to want to hold the larger object. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted December 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 I’m not pinching. The video I have has the leash looped around a toe and he pulls on it. I haven’t tried that yet as she holds when told. However, it may be the problem now that you mention it. I have a cheap Petsafe big dog trainer collar. I bought cheap until I saw if it worked for me. Do you think you can actually force the dog to fetch the larger objects? I know by name, force fetch, you can but at the same time I don’t want to shy her away completely by taking the fun out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 yes--a properly force fetched dog should pick up anything it is told. Whether it is a goose, duck, or the morning paper. You are not force fetching if you are not adding the force. Skip the toe pinch unless you really need it. Go with the ear pinch and after the ear pinch then you can transition into the collar and then do walking fetch with the collar. If you need details let me know and we can chat on the phone! todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted December 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 Ill try to call you later Todd... thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3seasons Posted December 13, 2011 Report Share Posted December 13, 2011 yes--a properly force fetched dog should pick up anything it is told. Whether it is a goose, duck, or the morning paper. You are not force fetching if you are not adding the force. Skip the toe pinch unless you really need it. Go with the ear pinch and after the ear pinch then you can transition into the collar and then do walking fetch with the collar. If you need details let me know and we can chat on the phone! todd I agree 100% with Todd. The ear or toe pinch seems harsh but it really isn't. Most learn quick to turn off the pressure. You wont loose any desire or drive if done correctly. My two pups are nutts over fetching anything and i mean anything. Yesterday a buddy of mine dropped his glove after getting out of the blind, I said fetch and Coal grabbed it as fast as you could blink. Once your pup figures out that holding or fetching will turn the pressure off she will grab whatever you tell her to. Stick with it and dont get discouraged. It will all come together Coal in ND last week Lady in ND last week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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