Ok, Jake (YML) is 6 mos old, has adult teeth, and deer season is almost over-So--Today he starts wearing a dummy E Collar for three to four weeks and starts FF. He has been working on OB since we got him at 7 weeks and is pretty good on Heeling- excellent on kennel up and Sit- OK on remote sit excellent so far on Here and has been introed to over,back, and live birds-gunfire- boats- dekes, and dux calls-
Now the fun and real work starts-I have, as usual started him with some Wolter's ideas,- moved to Dahl's 10 Min Retriever program and now will use a combo of Dobb's Tri Tronics book and 10 Min Retriever-I've done several labs before but this time I have waited a bit longer for CC and will not actually do it till FF is complete- just getting him used to collar- any thoughts from other folks welcomed as we get into Meat of jake's training. Will also stop Marks and handling till he is done with FF
Been a long time since I've worked with a lab and I'm not sure I understand the term "CC". In the pointer world that indicates a check cord. Labs I did do, not many, I also worked on check cords until they were done. Great believer in them.
I too take a retriever completely through Force Fetch (FF) before starting E-collar conditioning (CC). Putting the dummy collar on well in advance may help you avoid the dog becoming collar wise. Callar wise = dog knowing it's got to behave when the collar is on, does not have to when collar is off. Note the may. Biggest issue in that respect is consistancy. Do not give a command unless you are prepared to enforce it, regardless of what method you use. Dogs are even more adept than children at know when they can blow you off.
On the other hand, I have my dogs run simple marks while FF is ongoing. I have found my dogs eagerly jumping up on the FF table, knowing they will get some fun bumpers after the session is complete. Find it keeps their spirits up during the FF process.
If ya ever get a chance to have a look at Butch Goodwins, Retrievers From The Inside . . . out. It's well worth your time. One of the most complete guides to retriever training I've ever seen and I've seen a lot of them.
Oh and it's a CD. Printable text, diagrams to take to the field if you wish and video clips so you can see what he's talking about.
I have no ties to the video or Butches business in any way shape or form, simply good stuff.
Best of luck, hope he FF with ease.
Just so no one misinterprets my meaning, A steady diet of unlimited fun bumpers (easy marks) in a pup is not good either. I keep marks to about 15 min =/- 5min depending on how the pup is reacting. When they are just little guys,10 to 14 weeks or so, 3 or 4 is often plenty. Their attention span is very short and they want to be off to the next adventure in the matter of a few minutes.
