My pup is a little cracker and has all the attributes that suggest she'll be a good retriever / gundog - but she carries or eats absolutely anything including stones. I can't correct her picking items up as this will spoil any prospect of her being a good gun dog - but stones! She is so eager to please that she will pick up the very first thing she can get her chops round as soon as she's outside - animal, vegatable or mineral. I have a small trainng dummy that she is happy to carry constantly but is that good either as to train her later she'll need to surrender it as it's not a toy as such (pheasants & ducks are not toys). She is only young (16 wks) so serious training is some way off but I know of dogs who have seccumbed to eating stones and have ended up being "emptied" at the vets! I should have called her "Dyson" as she's just as good as the houshold machine to which I refer. Otherwis an absolute cracker
Re: Labrador or goat I forgot to add that I have no problems getting her to deposit whatever she's picked up to hand at all, she's like a seasoned pro at that, but she won't walk a pace unless she has something in her mouth. I know it would be far worse if it were the opposite way around. Any suggestions gratefully received
Re: Labrador or goat I wouldnt worry too much about it, my Sam was the very devil for picking the stone up off my gravel paths, to the point that we had begun to consider having them paved over, he was about the same age as your pup too but he grew out of it, its good that she does give back , thats a really good sign .
Re: Labrador or goat Thanks kate I was just worrying that shed start rattling when she runs. Anything she does wrong will be my fault as she's got such a natural inclination to learn. Thanks
Re: Labrador or goat Hi, and welcome to the Forum! Yes, Labs are terrible for picking things up and eating the most gross rubbish... You Need to keep an eye on the stone eating, but as Kate said mostly they grow out of it.
Re: Labrador or goat I have just realised that my 10 month old has stopped picking up stones (though he is still pruning the Hydrangea!). He was always retrieving stones, well pebbles, from the garden, but thankfully never swallowed one, I think they do grow out of it. I have bought a lot of soft toys from charity shops and he carries them around a lot. Stacia
Re: Labrador or goat I am constantly pulling stones etc out of my pups mouth, he's 15 weeks. I am impressed your pup drops them for you willingly as mine does not and would love to run off with me chasing him. I hadn't even thought of it impacting the retrieve instinct - I don't intend to work my dog but would still like him to retrieve willingly. How do you get your pup to give up the stones?? Swap for higher value food / toys?
Re: Labrador or goat Hello stacia and Sersi Reasuring to know I won't have to buy a ton of chippings or the drive and that she won't sink with the balast. Sersi, I have trained a couple of dogs and the best way I have found to get a pup to release whatever it is carrying is "never" play tug of war. Try to get the pup to come to you with whatever it's carrying (whether it's an intended toy or a dead hedghog) and if you can crouch and offer one hand under the object while giving a good "pat" with the other - give whatever ommand you want to use. I use "leave". As soon as the dog drops the object either to hand or on the ground - lots of praise. I am not and never will be anything like an expert but you really must not play tug-o-war. If your dog does bring something back but refuses to give it up, turn your back and walk away. He/she will most likely head you off (trip you up) after a few times and drop the object close in front of you collect it with lots of praise and throw it a short distance and encourage a retrieve with whatever word you choose. Perseverance is the key. Good luck
Re: Labrador or goat Ahhhh, my husband does love a game of tug-of-war with the pup :-[. Very gently of course but it is one of the easiest and most obvious ways to play with them I suppose, and pup loves it. Mmmmm, may have to try get him to throw the toys and encourage a retrieve rather than the tuggy games. I don't know, I just thought I'd need to train a dog, seems like the husband and children training is just as important (although harder, hubbie doesn't respond so well to a "good boy" and a pat on the head ;D).
