So I really know nothing about training a dog to retrieve, building desire, holds, etc. I am not training Finn to hunt, but I would really like him to retrieve balls and dummies as a way to work him and play/exercise. Finn (5.5 months now) really does not find much interest in toys when outdoors, he will chase a ball maybe once or twice before he's on to something else in the grass. Retrieving on land is not even a thing for him. However, I noticed that he seems to love water retrieves. He will swim out, get the ball, and bring it back and drop it like a natural. I'm afraid of overdoing it or killing his "desire" as I keep seeing mentioned here and there. So I have only been doing a max of 5 or 6 at a time. Any tips on nurturing this instinct? I did a few things, like giving him some treats after the retrieve, throwing him a party when he does it, etc. Do you think it will translate to land retrieves at some point?
Use his water retrieves to build desire. Next time, make him do his two or three retrieves from the water, reward heavily, and call it quits before he calls it quits. Go on to something else for a few minutes, get him excited over the ball or dummy again and do another water retrieve. Reward heavily. Don't let him dictate when he's over it. Always pull the plug before he's finished. Even if you only get two go's at it. It's fine. Eventually he's gonna get the picture. "I retrieve, I get paid". And then it will begin to translate to land retrieves as well I hope that makes sense
Awesome! Thanks. Prior to getting a lab I had never heard of all of this....I just assumed you could play fetch with a dog until he was tired or over it, but he'd come right back at it the next day. I'll stick to your plan for now. Maybe look into getting a retrieve training book
My girl is generally not interested in retrieving unless she is sent out following the firing of a dummy launcher. Apparently it's not a proper retrieve or blind search unless we have the crack of the launcher . Retrieving from water is acceptable at any time though
I kind of discovered this instinct by accident when he randomly swam out to get a tennis ball that happened to be floating in the water, apparently abandoned by another dog. I couldn't believe he did that, as I don't think anyone had thrown it recently. Then we went to a lake with a few friends and he retrieved a few pine cones we threw out into the water. A few days later I tried the ball and he loves it! I had just about given up on throwing the ball for him on land as he really would only chase it once or twice then lose interest....if he even chased it at all.
Ahh don't worry! With Benson I was convinced we had a non-retriever! At 5.5 months he was seemingly interested only in chewing and destroying anything within reach. Outside, in the big wide world, he was like a butterfly, hardly focusing on anything for more than a few seconds. Water was very exciting, and yes, retrieving in water was double the fun! He still does adore retrieving in water, although he usually has a mad bumtucking hollie after! @Somatic has given some sound advice, take it slow, a few retrieves, reward and gradually build desire. Personally I prefer not to encourage chasing tennis balls and the like at such a young age, as the "stop, start" activity does put a lot of strain on young, growing joints and muscles. Try checking in games instead out on a walk, and maybe start working on a clicker retrieve at home
I found this with my latest puppy at about the same age - she was very easily distracted by scent on the ground but would retrieve from water quite happily. On land, I let her have a good sniff over the area I was going to use, before trying a retrieve there and so she was less distracted. As she matured, ground scent was less new and exciting and she now retrieves quite happily on land. What is he like in your garden or in a fairly boring environment? He sounds like he's really keen, but just a distracted puppy/teen. As people have said - go with the water retrieves he likes - reward well - keep it fun - perhaps try in very boring areas and wait for him to mature a bit.
@Beanwood - yep, we've actually been doing exactly that simply because he just won't chase a ball! Hahaha. So I guess it's good in a way. I just do recall for treats at the park as the main activity. Today we did 3 or 4 fetches into the bay. I wanted to do even less than yesterday so he stays excited about it. The last one was in deeper water. I am going to order him a bumper online that's a bit easier to grab than the ball....he's having trouble getting it in his mouth....bit like bobbing for apples. @FoxyLady - yep, he's just super distracted all the time! We don't have a yard/garden of our own to play in, unfortunately, and I try to limit playing in the house to tug because of my slick hardwood floors he might as well be on an ice rink. So I think it's too dangerous for him. So, I feel bad that he doesn't pay attention to toys outside as much because I worry that he doesn't get enough play. But he gets enough playdates with his doggie best friends to stay occupied I think.
I personally don't like land retrieves. To hard on the body when they're younger, but all the water is frozen here. Lol. I also take it easy in hard snow. Pretty easy to snap a leg in frozen footprint. Duggan goes hard and is very powerful so I'd be easy for him to do but that's just me being a paranoid daddy.
