Retriever Puppy Training - What Not to Do

1. Too many retrieves

Nothing is to be gained by repeatedly throwing objects for the pup to retrieve. If you have selected that properly bred pup, the retriever desire is there genetically as is marking, delivery, and birdiness. This is what you paid for when you bought the pup, hopefully. Too many retrieves at early ages just promotes:

Hyperactivity and excitement

Boredom, if overdone

Running about with the object or dropping it in pursuit of more interesting endeavors, both resulting from boredom.

2. Tug-of-war

Tug-of-war is a horror to fix when you later expect nice delivery of your bird. Pull nothing from your pup's mouth or do things which promote hard mouth. I actually saw a film on the market that recommends this-frolicking practice to increase desire! This is a NEVER.

3. Play with and chew on bumpers

Allowing pups to play with and chew on bumpers to increase their desire and regard for the bumper!

4. Free swimming in swimming pools or ponds.

Uncontrolled and unrestricted swimming will produce pups that know no difference when it's time for water work. He may decide to hit the water for a refreshing dip when the moods strikes him….right in the middle of your training session. And how does the handler respond? You can find him running the bank in a frinzy, yelling and peeping the whistle. Now we are teaching the pup something special, "Hey, I'm out here where the boss can't get me… this is great!" I've seen this too many times. Handlers teach the pup too early that he can get beyond their control. I try never to let a pup discover that he is not in some way under my control.

5. Chasing a pup with an object in their mouth.

Never chase a pup for any reason…in play, when he won't come or when he is carrying an object. The pup will soon pick up that bumper or bird and stand there or bound around hoping to solicit a chase from you. This is a bear to correct.

6. Not coming when called.

Settle this early and don't reward running away. Never call to punish. Don't call and then do things the pup doesn't like such as give him a shot, put him in the crate, etc.

Overuse of bribes. Take this example from Wyoming. The pup would not come so tidbits were used to encourage the pup. This is not a problem in limited use at first, but they took the low, easy road and kept up the use of food treats as the reward for coming when called. The dog now only comes when tidbits are offered. No reward, no compliance. Who is training whom? Get the pup to understand two words at a very young age-"No" and "Here."

7. Bolting or running away.

When a pup merely bolts to avoid your desirables, this must be dealt with quickly at an early age. If it persists, when you start to train and the pup decides there are better pursuits elsewhere, you now have a much faster and determined fugitive on your hands.

8. Allowing pups to run free is very much like #7.

When a pup tires of present company and he has been allowed to run free for months before beginning training, he takes to the wind. I have one in training now that often runs away and you never know when he'll take off. He'll make a couple of nice marks and he may over run the next one and return some 45 minutes later. Keep pups under control at all times.

9. Shooting over pups while too young

Most gunshyness is manmade. Forget shooting over pups while they eat to introduce gunfire. How would your kids react to surprise shots while they partake quietly of their cocoa puffs? Gunfire conditioning comes much later and employs a much more logical, progressive format.

10. Other common, ill-advised practices include:

allowing playing with dead birds

putting pup on live birds too early which may scare the pup

letting pup jump out of objects, i.e. boats, porches, pickup beds. This damages more hips and shoulders in the U. S. than genetic problems.

snatching objects from the pup's mouth

punishing pup for carrying valuable objects in this mouth (Nike shoes, etc.)

allowing pup to chase off game at an early age-rabbits, chickens-supposedly to build drive or because it's amusing

rough housing with the kids which can result with the dog being intimidated or injured. When the kids pick up or drag the pup by his legs, the pup's hips could be damaged. Never allow kids to play with pups unsupervised - an unpopular statement, I know… but you do want an easily-trained gundog, don't you?

retrieving sticks, especially in water

throwing pup into water, especially cold water

Here's another Wildrose law of training -- "Don't condition something into your pup that you must train out at a later time." Pups don't forget. The most important element in pre-training socialization is to develop the pup's confidence in you. Good or bad, the pup won't forget. So, my friends, let's make it good!

Article Source: Ducks Unlimited Inc.

Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people. Visit their web site at www.ducks.org to learn more, support their mission or to find more info.

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10 Pitfalls in Retriever Training, Part 2

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