Retrieving Boredom

myweimlouie · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:55 pm Post subject: Retrieving Boredom

Hello All,

I am new to this forum and have a quick question. I just bought my 2 year old Weim and he has been trained really well and can retrieve however after 2-3 throws he gets bored or decides he doesn't want to do it anymore.
Sometimes he will just go to it, look at it and then come back without the object.

Are there any tricks I can use to make it more fun for him?

Thanks

h20fwlkillr · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:51 am Post subject:

Has this dog been hunted? If so, balls and sticks lose their fun quite quickly compared to retrieving game. If not, it may just be he doesn't have the retrieval desire.

DanniGirl · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 2:36 am Post subject:

When he doesn't retrieve do you continue throwing the ball?
If so...don't. Stop immediately.
If not, you're teaching him he doesn't have to retrieve and you're making more work for yourself. Try ending the game when he's having fun...perhaps only on the second throw.
Try throwing the object in a hallway so he has no choice but to come back to you...instead of finding interest in something else.
When he's coming back with the object, act like he's the best dog in the world with lots of phrase and excitement.
Also, tennis balls tend to create mouthing problems...so it's wise to invest in a few retrieving dummies.

One more thing, how is his temperament?

myweimlouie · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 9:30 am Post subject:

The guy I bought him from used him for upland game, I have not yet gotten him out in the field so that could be part of it.

He is very calm, and non aggressive.

I thought about getting retrieval dummies and some game scent to see if he will go for that.

I think I might just need to get out in the field with him to get the big picture.

anne · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:05 pm Post subject:

It would be a good idea to get the full picture of what is going on. Also decide how important it is to have a flawless retrieve. You can always force break him to retrieve if you are working seriously with him. This can be done in less harsh ways or the traditional way. (I personally do not force break my dogs.)

h20fwlkillr · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:09 pm Post subject:

myweimlouie · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 1:59 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all of the help and advise!

Glad to get to know everyone and get good ideas for my weim

This forum is awesome.

-Brandon

myweimlouie · Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 4:32 pm Post subject: UPDATE:

Update:

I bought a soft bumper from Sportsman's Warehouse here in town and some Pheasant scent.

As soon as I opened the bottle he caught a whiff and when bonkers, started rolling around on the ground etc...

I put a bit on the bumper and tossed and he retrieved it at least 10 times if not more.

Looks like I found what he wants, next up smelly ducks. Cool

-Brandon

h20fwlkillr · Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 12:47 am Post subject: Re: UPDATE:

myweimlouie · Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 9:26 am Post subject:

My uncle and I go duck hunting quite a bit but this is the first time for me and my own dog.

Usually someone we go with has a dog.

h20fwlkillr · Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 12:43 pm Post subject:

Cool, It's always nice to meet another weim owner that duck hunts!

DanniGirl · Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 12:52 pm Post subject:

myweimlouie · Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 2:12 pm Post subject:

Good luck to all of you was well. If we get anything I'll let you know and I'll post some pics.

Hopefully he is cool with the cold water Smile

if not we'll have to work on it.

Cheers,

Brandon

h20fwlkillr · Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 1:26 am Post subject:

I'm going to spend this weekend popping some pen raised mallards to get my dogs brushed up for the season opener on Nov 3. It seems they never remember their blind manners.