Home Forums Birds & Dogs Hunting Dogs Force Fetch question

And THAT is exactly how its done!

We do the hallway confined fetch every day....and sometimes go outside...As long as I don't screw up, I think I can skip the force fetch...

I will never not force fetch a dog again. It makes so-so dogs good and good dogs outstanding. Those who think it’s cruel or hurtful to the dog obviously have never done it, if they have didn’t do it correctly or the trainer didn’t do it correctly. There’s many ways around the barn so to speak but for reliable results I would bank on it.

I forcefetched this dog at 6 months. He passed his HZP hunt test at 8 months. That includes a 330 yard rabbit retrieve and a 220 yard duck retrieve. Since then he truly loves retrieving everything from coyotes on down. He tends to be highly obedient on heel, come, sit, stay, down, kennel, etc. Good to have control on 82 pounds of drahthaar and force fetch is a great foundation for that.

Yup force fetch is a sham.

Good to see you Kurt.. how’s Harvey doin’?

Pics don't tell the whole tale...These Birds didn't walk over for pics...


















ets, etc, etc...

Etc, etc, etc....

Hey Matt, Harv is doing good. Him and Bane are best buddies. Looking forward to fall. Drew a bighorn tag so losing some early bird season to that but hoping to get out a bunch this fall after that.

Aggie is looking great, love the field pics.

That’s about as cute a pocket dog can get. And she’s a performer too it looks like.

Over 65 years of bird hunting and i don't know how many dogs, I have never force fetch trained a dog, if you have to force a dog to work you have the wrong dog for the job, Rio7

Thank you!!!!

My sentiments exactly.I don't train gun dogs...I trained other dogs to do lots of work related things. Fetching a variety of things to hand was a high priority in a lot of them.

That IS a cute little gun dog!

Best retriever I have ever had was not force fetched. She is almost 16 now, and is as naturallly polished as ever. She’ll hup to deliver, and will inexplicably deliver a dry mourning dove almost every time, her mouth is so soft. Scout never has had an e-collar on in her life. Never needed it.

Her great niece, Jet, is my newest Springer; she’s just over a year old and has an absolutely stellar field trial pedigree. Rambunctious as all get out, but just a little bit dishonest.

My intent is to train her like Scout, but, let’s just say I am keeping my options open.

Here's Scout:








And here is Scout with Jet, when Jet was 4 months old:

Merlot is a male and he’s one heck of a fun dog to hunt with. He is everything that he appears to be! I smile every time I think about him working cover.

Harry,

Thanks for the video of Higgy. I see he’s coming along well.

I appreciate all the great responses, I really do. I am leaning towards not going through with the force fetch. I will say that the variance in responses, between the Fire and other sources, is pretty broad. The most compelling argument for force fetching that I have been given is that it will make my Lab more business like in his work. Right now he is a complete goof ball when retrieving. He is a VERY enthusiastic retriever. I’m serious, he is a real clown. He is a blast to watch work, but I can see it being a distraction in the field. Still, I think I will can the force fetch idea.

Thanks again to everyone!

The best dog i have ever seen in the field, no matter what we were hunting, Dove Quail Sharptail Ducks, Track Wounded Deer, loved to Coyote hunt. Great Damn Dog. Rio7