retriever who doesnt retrieve?
- Thread starter andrewxlt
- Start date
L
If he doesn't want to fetch he doesn't want to fetch. Not all retrievers retrieve. Maybe it wasn't bred into him as much as it is in other lines/breeds. Maybe it isn't fun for him.
My 2 Labs (2 y.o. and 4 1/2 mo. old) love to fetch, but not at the drop of a hat when you might necessarily want to. If you wake them up, they don't want to play right away. If they just ate they usually don't want to play. 90% of the time they do, but you have to have the right toy sometimes.(sometimes they will fetch a football but not a tennis ball...why? I dunno. Their preference.)Most of the time we play outside and will bring the game inside. Sometimes we will be playing fetch inside and they start playing with each other (wrestling or playing with the fetch toy).
It's not like something is "wrong" with your dog. Just find toys he's interested in and games he wants to play....like tug of war. If we aren't playing fetch we're playing tug.
My 2 Labs (2 y.o. and 4 1/2 mo. old) love to fetch, but not at the drop of a hat when you might necessarily want to. If you wake them up, they don't want to play right away. If they just ate they usually don't want to play. 90% of the time they do, but you have to have the right toy sometimes.(sometimes they will fetch a football but not a tennis ball...why? I dunno. Their preference.)Most of the time we play outside and will bring the game inside. Sometimes we will be playing fetch inside and they start playing with each other (wrestling or playing with the fetch toy).
It's not like something is "wrong" with your dog. Just find toys he's interested in and games he wants to play....like tug of war. If we aren't playing fetch we're playing tug.
Basically this is taught during training sessions. You are doing it in " fun" time. Yes... any Golden will go after a toy you've thrown , but having them bring it back is another story . When in a working session.. you'll be taught to have your dog " Stay " at your side as someone else tosses their retrieve. When it lands, you release your dog to " fetch " ... return it to you at a sit...( when you call " come " ) at which you ask for the " release" snd then put your dog back to " heel " position. Basic obedience can help you with this , if you do it a home, but don't confuse the dog. I personally don't like tug of war with goldens unless it's with another dog. They basically have very soft mouths and to me it only adds to aggression ( which isn't in their makeup ) Sorry ... I bred a bunch of whoosies ....
I cant believe I didnt see this thread before!!
I know how to solve the problem
Put a long check cord (long rope around 25-50 feet) When the dog has the fetch toy in its mouth after you throw it..Reel him in fast and greet him with excitement and praise each time he sucessfuly returns it. Start with only 4-5 sucessful retrieves. Stop on a sucessful retrieve leaving him wanting more. Gradually move up to more in a session.
I know how to solve the problem
Put a long check cord (long rope around 25-50 feet) When the dog has the fetch toy in its mouth after you throw it..Reel him in fast and greet him with excitement and praise each time he sucessfuly returns it. Start with only 4-5 sucessful retrieves. Stop on a sucessful retrieve leaving him wanting more. Gradually move up to more in a session.
You should feel lucky sometimes, that he doesn't want to retrieve! My labradoodle...which is a cross of two types of retrievers brings everything back to me!!
I throw things in the garbage can from the kitchen sink and he runs after it, grabs it outta the can and presents me with a filthy paper-towel, or gross old piece of food from the fridge that went bad....Yuck.
I throw things in the garbage can from the kitchen sink and he runs after it, grabs it outta the can and presents me with a filthy paper-towel, or gross old piece of food from the fridge that went bad....Yuck.