Labrador problems

zeevalentino

Hi All
Was out earlier with my 2 1/2 year old lab and boy was it frustrating.
Now I understand its mostly my own fault but I am unsure how to fix it, here goes.

I went for an evening flight, got to the water, I let her off for a run then called her back and she sat down beside me [lovely].
A few snipe few in and I had to stop her from breaking for them even though I did not fire a shot. A few ducks came in and I decided I would let them in and keep her beside me just as an exercise. 3 ducks and I fired but there was no stopping her this time even though I missed. It must be noted that when I call her back she comes back but not before she checks. Then I decided it was time to pull out the lead. I sat her down next to me with the gun on the ground and her on the lead. We both watched ducks fly past at close range for a few mins and a few landed in the water near us, she went a bit mad whining but I thought she was getting it.
So I shot the next duck while she was on the lead, She went absolutely crazy trying to get going but I held her. Then I let her off to fetch but more ducks flew in at the same time and she went for them instead again without me firing.
After this there was no stopping her running after ducks as they were coming in.
Hope your still awake. lol
I am going to work on this but am afraid if I go about it the wrong way it will get worse.

She has retrieved successfully last season but I was not too hard on her as I was happy she was retrieving. She is a very well mannered dog and good worker otherwise. This was only my 3rd time out this season due to work commitments.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

shoot to kill

1. I had the same problem with my spaniel. Get the dog to sit in your yard away from distractions. Make her sit for up to a half hour with out her moving an inch. Walk all about but if she moves gently place her back in the same place.

2. Bring out dummys and through them about the place not to close at first and gently bring them closer. Same as above if she moves just take her back to the same place.

3. The test!! The tennis ball. I had the above to perfection and as soon as the tennis ball came out she just couldn't sit!! Start bouncing the ball around the yard. Keep getting closer till eventually you'll be able to bounce it over her head and she'll only look where it's going. Get someone to help you. Bounce the ball to them just passing the dogs side. After that take her to the field. Use a Dummy launcher/ shotgun and tennis ball anything really.

15 mins at a time twice a day if you have the time and it's a 2 week + project and well worth the effort.

Oh and the next time not go to your flight pond don't take the gun!! Give me a shout I'll take mine!! Ha ha

Spannerman7

She's hunting on her terms, as STK said, it must be drilled that only when you say retrieve she can go, when out in the field she should drop to her ass on a shot being fired and look to you for direction. Set it up that she might only get one in three retrieves, on dummies or pheasant, the others are your retrieves and it's at your discretion that she may be given one of your retrieves.

You can solve this with dummies, it will take a bit of work but don't overdo a session so she can still enjoy it, end every work session with a fun thing for her, ie. tennis ball etc.
Hope that helps.
I've three labs, all they want to do is please, she thinks she's doing the right thing and is a bit over keen.

zeevalentino

Thanks for the reply guys.
The thing is she is rock steady on dummies or a tennis ball, she won't move no matter what you throw around her, beside her or even under her nose, but as soon as it becomes "live" its a different story.
I will have to sit her down in the one spot for 15mins at a time as I don't think she would do that.
Would a shock collar help, eg; if she took off and I was to call her back and give her a shock at the same time and let her know that she was bold. I understand this collar could be counterproductive is used incorrectly.
I also thought if I tied her to a post while I am shooting for a night or 2 and do not let her retrieve at all [[pick up the ducks myself] and gradually let her retrieve at random.

TriggerPL

Bring her and some dummy's to a lake with your gun , make her sit , trow dummy and fire shot while in the air , then send her for retrieve ,

Simulate what ur trying to do. Bring help if needs be .

Do about 15 mins evey two days , and there no need for sitting the dog for hours, 5 mins or so , but after shot wait about a min before sending him , and extend the time a bit each time