It may be time for a pro trainer who can force break your GSP to retrieve.I would get reccomendations from gun dog poeple in your area.
Retrieving shot birds
I have a GSP thats a year and 4 months old who I can get to retrieve almost anything in the yard (TV remotes, BBQ brushes, etc) and she loves to retrieve. Add a bird and its as if she cant stand the taste or something. She will barely pick it up and bring it to me. This is a frozen bird with alot of the feathers gone.
She also likes to munch on the birds. I took her out pheasant hunting yesterday and she wouldnt even try to retreive it for me.
She would stand there ripping feathers off. If I got her to just hold the bird in her mouth she would bite down hard on it and munch it.
I'm starting to think I should look into some pro help here.
Anyone suggest anything?
She also likes to munch on the birds. I took her out pheasant hunting yesterday and she wouldnt even try to retreive it for me.
She would stand there ripping feathers off. If I got her to just hold the bird in her mouth she would bite down hard on it and munch it.
I'm starting to think I should look into some pro help here.
Anyone suggest anything?
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I will second Greyghost's suggestion to seek professional help with this issue. I had a GSP and I know very well the problem you are having. You can spend a lot of money and time trying to correct it yourself and may end up with a worse situation than when you started. Good luck. I hope it works out well for you AND the dog.
my dog loves to fetch birds but does not like birds that have been frozen, he'll pick-up dead birds from god knows where and its anyones guess how long the have been dead yet he won't touch a frozen bird.let her chase a live pigeon (wing-clipped)
and then toss a dead one but make a big deal when she fetches the dead one.use a fresh dead bird and not one that has even been in the fridge.no pigeons,no problem.go to a preserve and some bobwhite quail and then bring a few dead ones home DO NOT PUT THEM IN THE COOLER.almost all dogs don't like frozen birds my lab puppy won't touch a frozen bird either.its no biggie
and then toss a dead one but make a big deal when she fetches the dead one.use a fresh dead bird and not one that has even been in the fridge.no pigeons,no problem.go to a preserve and some bobwhite quail and then bring a few dead ones home DO NOT PUT THEM IN THE COOLER.almost all dogs don't like frozen birds my lab puppy won't touch a frozen bird either.its no biggie
Hi,
Good advice, force fetching is about all you can do now. He sounds like he don't like the taste of feathers in his mouth. That's why he pulls the feathers off. Heck, I don't like'em either
.
Hardmouth is a seperate issue, and can be caused either by being stressed about retieving during training, or most often genetic related. This too can be "cured" most of the time. A word of warning - Force Fetching a dog will most probably aggravate hardmouth! So leave that for last to tackle.
Find a good Pro, one you feel comfortable with. Not all trainers are meant for every dog. If you can, find one close by so you can visit. There is much to be learned by watching and asking questions from someone who really knows the ropes!
I wish you and your dog the best luck with this!
Dale
Good advice, force fetching is about all you can do now. He sounds like he don't like the taste of feathers in his mouth. That's why he pulls the feathers off. Heck, I don't like'em either
.Hardmouth is a seperate issue, and can be caused either by being stressed about retieving during training, or most often genetic related. This too can be "cured" most of the time. A word of warning - Force Fetching a dog will most probably aggravate hardmouth! So leave that for last to tackle.
Find a good Pro, one you feel comfortable with. Not all trainers are meant for every dog. If you can, find one close by so you can visit. There is much to be learned by watching and asking questions from someone who really knows the ropes!
I wish you and your dog the best luck with this!
Dale
G
What about letting your pup mouth and play with severed, dried wings from dead pheasants, quail, etc? I'd rather deal with a little hard-mouth than a dog that doesn't like to retrieve.
Way I got my two Brittany's to point and instincts to kick-in was dangle a quail wing on the end of a fishing pole. Dog first tried to pounce and chew on the wing, but once they're tired, begin pointing like they're supposed to. The feathers usually helped to excite and entice them. FWIW.
Way I got my two Brittany's to point and instincts to kick-in was dangle a quail wing on the end of a fishing pole. Dog first tried to pounce and chew on the wing, but once they're tired, begin pointing like they're supposed to. The feathers usually helped to excite and entice them. FWIW.
i have had similar problems with myspringer. he would get the bird and rip the feathers out and play with the dead bird. eventually he would bring them to me. the problem is your fighting the natural instincts of a dog. in order to eat a bird they have to make sure its dead. i finally just settled down a little bit and took it with a grain of salt. as long as they he is bringing me the bird i'm ok. if it makes him feel better to roughem up a little bit i can deal with that. gonna have to get the feathers off anyway.
on the other hand if your thinking about field trials and stuff it aint gonna fly. i know guys that have corrected hard mouth by wrapping a hair brush around all the dummies it taught the dog to not bite down so hard. my springer usually retrives by the head anyway. not pretty but what are you going to do!
on the other hand if your thinking about field trials and stuff it aint gonna fly. i know guys that have corrected hard mouth by wrapping a hair brush around all the dummies it taught the dog to not bite down so hard. my springer usually retrives by the head anyway. not pretty but what are you going to do!
Yes, I run her in field trials and hunt tests so she has to retrieve to hand nicely. Doesnt have to be perfect but atleast a 5 out of 10 on retreive as she will make up for the retrieve score in other areas.
Never thought of the hairbrush tho, might give that a try thx.
Never thought of the hairbrush tho, might give that a try thx.
Could've sworn I saw a bird harness with spikes that did the same thing as the brush recommendation.
You can get that quail spiked harness at www.lcsupply.com
However I do strongly reccomend proffessional help.
However I do strongly reccomend proffessional help.
Yeah the spiked bird harness works for hardmouth. I've used a frozen bird wrapped with barbed wire for the same effect. But, if you want a force trained dog then have that done first! Otherwise you will waste the time on the hardmouth.
Force training isn't as hard as it seems - once you've been taught how to do it. It's more time consuming than anything. And is best done in the "off" season. No birds or dummy tossing till you are done! If you've never done it, then have it done professionally. Or at least attend some seminars about it if you can. Done wrong, you can ruin a dog.
A question for you pointer guys, I run my springers in hunt tests. If a judge were to even suspect my dog crunched a bird, they'd be all over it to check. And if the dog did, we'd be done on the spot. Plus, retrieves need to be to hand for all levels except junior. Those must be within a step to pass. What are the rules on retrieving for pointer tests?
Dale
Force training isn't as hard as it seems - once you've been taught how to do it. It's more time consuming than anything. And is best done in the "off" season. No birds or dummy tossing till you are done! If you've never done it, then have it done professionally. Or at least attend some seminars about it if you can. Done wrong, you can ruin a dog.
A question for you pointer guys, I run my springers in hunt tests. If a judge were to even suspect my dog crunched a bird, they'd be all over it to check. And if the dog did, we'd be done on the spot. Plus, retrieves need to be to hand for all levels except junior. Those must be within a step to pass. What are the rules on retrieving for pointer tests?
Dale
Basically the same. The dog loses points for munching on a bird. I'm not sure what the rule is at the FDX level ie. if they munch they fail (I'm to lazy to find my rule book) but the retrieve needs to be to hand for full marks.
I think a forced retrieve is a last resort. Try to use their own instincts to train them if you can. I had a similar problem and I think you might be able to use my solution. My GSP just did not like to retieve birds for me but loved playing ball, etc.
I found a simple solution by accident. I hunted with another gentleman and his dog. The first bird that went down was followed by a dog sprint race to the downed pheasant. My dog won by a whisker and grabbed the bird and proudly brought it back to me while the other dog tried vainly to take it away. I lavished him with praise and he has been an awesome retriever ever since.
Another dog will make yours WANT the bird and WANT to take it someplace SAFE...say like to his master !!!
I found a simple solution by accident. I hunted with another gentleman and his dog. The first bird that went down was followed by a dog sprint race to the downed pheasant. My dog won by a whisker and grabbed the bird and proudly brought it back to me while the other dog tried vainly to take it away. I lavished him with praise and he has been an awesome retriever ever since.
Another dog will make yours WANT the bird and WANT to take it someplace SAFE...say like to his master !!!
Yes, this is the main reason I'm thinking of getting a 2nd GSP. Emma (my female) will help teach the new arrival and then they will teach/compete against each other in the field.
Hi,
Thanks for the explination GSP Lover. Sometimes compitition can help, sometimes not. And occasionally you will end up with two piece birds :shock: !
I often hunt my two Springers together. When a bird is shot, my female will let my male always make the retrieve. It could be a gender thing. But, I know her retrieving drive is not as strong as my male. By herself she is just fine, but together she lets him do the work.
My buddy has two male Sprngers that he seldom can hunt together because when the bird goes down there will be a race and he will end up with that two piece bird. So be careful when running them together.
Dale
Thanks for the explination GSP Lover. Sometimes compitition can help, sometimes not. And occasionally you will end up with two piece birds :shock: !
I often hunt my two Springers together. When a bird is shot, my female will let my male always make the retrieve. It could be a gender thing. But, I know her retrieving drive is not as strong as my male. By herself she is just fine, but together she lets him do the work.
My buddy has two male Sprngers that he seldom can hunt together because when the bird goes down there will be a race and he will end up with that two piece bird. So be careful when running them together.
Dale
GSP LOVER,
I have had German Shorthaireds for 30 years. I am a member of two Navhda chapters & an apprentice judge. I work with mine & other pointing breeds (especially Shorthaireds) on a daily basis.
PLEASE...do not Force Retrive your dog if it is that young (4-5 mths). I have tried with some 6-8mth old dogs & rushed into it. I hope you get this message in time before you put that pup on a training table & start the F.F. process.
If you post this same topic in Versatiledogs.com forum...you would have gotten hung by now. I registered with this website just so I could reply to your post. I would love to go into it in more detail via email or phone.
I have a 5 mth G.S. that loves to run around & carry things but you cannot force the issue on birds or anything right now because you may turn them off for a LONG time.
Let her..I hope it is a girl, be a puppy. I in the past, like many others have I have tried to rush a dog along & it really can be detrimental. They (pups) will mature at often diffferent times even in the same litter.
I could talk all night. Hope to hear from you soon.
I have had German Shorthaireds for 30 years. I am a member of two Navhda chapters & an apprentice judge. I work with mine & other pointing breeds (especially Shorthaireds) on a daily basis.
PLEASE...do not Force Retrive your dog if it is that young (4-5 mths). I have tried with some 6-8mth old dogs & rushed into it. I hope you get this message in time before you put that pup on a training table & start the F.F. process.
If you post this same topic in Versatiledogs.com forum...you would have gotten hung by now. I registered with this website just so I could reply to your post. I would love to go into it in more detail via email or phone.
I have a 5 mth G.S. that loves to run around & carry things but you cannot force the issue on birds or anything right now because you may turn them off for a LONG time.
Let her..I hope it is a girl, be a puppy. I in the past, like many others have I have tried to rush a dog along & it really can be detrimental. They (pups) will mature at often diffferent times even in the same litter.
I could talk all night. Hope to hear from you soon.
Where did you get the idea she was 4-5 months? Emmas a year and 4 months old. I would never force train a puppy that young.
I ALSO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH BOTH OF MY DOGS AND WAS ALSO READY TO GIVE UP ALL HOPE AND PAY A PRO TO SOLVE THE RETRIEVAL PROBLEM. THIS WAS SOLVED AFTER TAKING MY TWO DOGS OUT WITH A BRITTANY THAT RETRIEVED. THEY SAW THE DOG GET PRAISE FOR A JOB WELL DONE AND WANTED SOME OF THE ACTION ALSO. I AM STILL WORKING ON RETRIEVAL TO HAND, BUT TO BE HONEST WITH YOU I NEED TO PUT MORE TIME INTO IT IF I EXPECT TO HAVE PERFECT RESULTS. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR TRAINING, DON'T GIVE UP YET!
G
My Bad. .....whew. I thought she was only 4-5 mths. Well in that case I would strongly suggest getting involved with a local Navhda chapter. If you are a hunter it is the best show in town. I also like some AKC clubs but Navhda is geared to train for land & water, hence the Versatile dog.
Try the Navhda website for local contacts & chapters. If you get the chance to attend a training day (which happens about two times per mth.) you will meet some great people & see some nice dog work. I have been in a half dozen clubs over the years & I sware by the Navhda system of training & promoting the Versatile breeds.
Try the Navhda website for local contacts & chapters. If you get the chance to attend a training day (which happens about two times per mth.) you will meet some great people & see some nice dog work. I have been in a half dozen clubs over the years & I sware by the Navhda system of training & promoting the Versatile breeds.
G
I have the same issue with my GSP and Lab. When hunted together, the Lab will honor the GSP points, heel in and then I usually release him to flush. The Lab always completes the retrieve. The GSP wants to start hunting again and doesn't show a real dsire to retrieve or hunt dead.
I became concerned that this may become a long term problem and took the GSP out without the lab last week thinking that we may have to go back to the force fetch table. Hunted alone (and to my surprise and satifaction) the GSP retrieved like there was never a problem, not only on the first bird but every bird down. He even hunted dead when normally I'd have to keep calling him back to hunt dead w the lab.
Anyway, this dog is a lot smarted than I'd have given him credit. I just praised the heck out of him and all went well. I think I will keep taking him out alone every so often.
I became concerned that this may become a long term problem and took the GSP out without the lab last week thinking that we may have to go back to the force fetch table. Hunted alone (and to my surprise and satifaction) the GSP retrieved like there was never a problem, not only on the first bird but every bird down. He even hunted dead when normally I'd have to keep calling him back to hunt dead w the lab.
Anyway, this dog is a lot smarted than I'd have given him credit. I just praised the heck out of him and all went well. I think I will keep taking him out alone every so often.
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