Pups first retrieve

E

Erik Mion

Member
The other day after wrestling practice my friend and I wanted to check out some property in the bay where we thought would be good hunting. I was pretty skeptical and didn't think there were going to be any ducks so i figured i'd bring my 8 month old chessie with us (just to give her some exercise).
We just took out guns and walked out on a point into the bay where to our suprise flushed a huge pack of buffelhead, i took one shot and dropped a male, then sent my dog out after the duck. She brought it back and dropped it in my hand then swam out and brought back my spent shell. I was estatic, and she got a buffelhead for dinner.
 
Sounds to me like some great training has taken place. You have allot to be proud of. I think a "treat" is in order for the pup.
Al
 
not a real smart idea, giving the game to the dog--At that age, she may associate it as food, adn, instead of bringing it back, just eat it upon retrieving.
If you don't plan on consuming game yourself, the ethical thing to do is just not shoot it.
Wings, attached to dummies will give her the same feel of feathers.
It is obvious that she needs a lot more contact with thr training aspects when you mentioned her retrieving the spent cartouche. I have known of folks who threw rocks for their dogs, to mark a duck fall--young dog-wrong idea--yep, dog would move the duck aside and put his head under to retrieve rock.Train responsibly now, to avoid problems later.
 
Well said George, the awnser to good gundog training his to think things out of how you are training your dog and try to nip things in the Bud before they start,but I think the main thing is, train yourself before you train your dog, that way you should,nt have any problems.
Take care and God Bless
Eddie and Amber
Its all about Building that Bond.
 
Way to go on your pups first retrieve... I am sure you were quite proud....

I think Buffies are tasty... I would echo the sentiment of not giving my retriever duck....
 
If you choose not to eat it yourself and feed it to the dog. I don't see any problem with that at all. I have been feeding geese, ducks and venison to my Chessies all my lif. I've never seen any bad results, in fact its recomended by my Vet.
 
Duck is actually advertised as being really healthy for dogs. My vet even agreed when I asked her about all of this duck food in the pet stores. Its priced very high in the stores. I don't know about feeding your dog duck that you shot, but my honest opinion is that the dog will have no idea that what it retrieved is what it is eating a day or two later. AND if indeed it did associate that, I would be impressed.
 
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