I have a 3+y/o yellow lab. He's great at retrieving bumbers, balls, sticks, dokken training duck....Anything I would throw for him.
I've gave him birds after hunts and he's always anxious to grab them. I've made him sit and hold a few of them in his mouth. I've went as far as thorwing one across the yard and had him go get it. He'll get it then bring it back but wants to play with it.
Most of you have seen that he does dock dogs and will mark a bumper with no problem. Any color at that.

Is it possible that he has a good enough drive to hunt? I think if he sees the bird fall or sees it on the water flapping he'll go and retrieve it. What I'm worried about is his biting down too hard. While holding the birds I've given him, he'll kinda naw a little. How do I break him from biting down too hard?
I've heard freeze a whole bird and make him bite on it. Any thoughts?

I've heard of taking chicken wire and wrapping it around a bumper. When he puts too much pressure the wire will irritate his gums and train him to use a soft mouth

Ive heard of pine cones...not the green ones. Like i said I have heard!

Hello , I'm new to the site . I've trained many hunting retrievers , even run hunt tests and title dogs to Master hunter (AKC) and Hunting Retriever Champion (UKC) . If what you've said is true , your dog has the drive to be a good hunting buddy . I would recommend that you have your pup go though a Force Fetch program . Since you never have done this , find a local retriever club . There would be folks who would help you . You can watch those training DVD's on FF , but they don't show you the small things and how to read a dog . True , you may say my dog is already retrieving , but trust me , once your pup has been thru it . You will have a dog that will never refuse and always retrieved to hand with a soft mouth . If you don't want to do it yourself , take him to a pro . But always get ref's and talk too pass clients before turning your dog over , you have good pros as well as bad . Good luck

Is it too late for those things mentioned? He is almost 3.5y/o.

No it's not to late just might take a little more time.. Freeze a canvas dummy also works..

So I watched a few videos on youtube about force fetch. Blaze wants to take the bumper. He'll hold for a bit with no problem. However, he starts to bite down on the bumper.

I know he's not going to be great, but I think he can do it. I just don't want him chomping down on the ducks.

I guess I'll have to get a canvas bumper and soak it with water then freeze it and do the force fetch training?

Chad , I answer your PM . Didn't have this info at the time . Here's some of the club's in south Louisiana that might be close too you . Cajun HRC (www.cajunhrc.com) , Ponchartrain HRC , Bayou HRC , Amite River HRC (www.arhrc.org) , and Lake Charles Retriever Club (www.lakecharlesretrieverclub.com ) . Sure one of these clubs could help , within the clubs you will find that a lot of the guys have small training groups of 3 too 5 guys . That's what you want . Good luck

AKA. He's never been formally trained for hunting. Thought I would but never went through with it. And didn't/don't have the $$$$ to get him trained.

Went hunt today and came back with some birds. When he smells them he goes bizzerk. I took a teal and had him hold it like I've done before. He holds it great then when I tell hom drop he drops it. Then he wants it back so bad his jaws start chattering. It was so funny. I even threw it across the yard with him sitting and told him fetch and he went fetch it. Brought it almost all the way back. He dropped it and starting playing with it then.

I'll see if I can hook up with someone to help me out.

i am not a trainer by far , but i thought i would share what my trainer showed me when mine acts up.
1 train with them the moment they act out , put them up in a crate or a kennel they can see out of.
2 work another dog , for about 15 min or so , then take ur dog out and work them , repeat as needed.
the reason this works is labs are very social dogs , kind of like a lot of guys on here LOL .
won't take long before they get it .
it works on mine .
just my 2 cts
mac

I used a wooden dowel about a foot long for FF so she wouldn't have any animosity towards a bumper and to keep her from chewing on it.

You can use a bumper. Just correct the dog when it displays the unwanted action (chewing)


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It is doable. I just sent one home a month ago that was 5 y/o and wouldn't chase a ball when she showed up.. Here's what her owner says about her.. http://www.bourbonbaychesapeakes.com/cl ... onials.php

Find help if you can and just take your time attitude is everything! I wouldn't suggest jumping straight into FF. Work on some simple concepts, socializing and get through FORMAL obedience first. Once you get through that Hold and FF should be easier as you'll at least have a dog that somewhat understands pressure and has a little work ethic. Good luck!

Standard Deck Scrub Brush, 10" use this for bumper he will learn not to bite down on it.