JB and I were walking around BassPro yesterday and came across the shock collars. He said, ya know what, Keke bought shock collars for her dogs to keep them from fighting. Long story short, Keke is sending them for me to use through the hunt.
I was working Scooby last night and again, when I hide the retriever dummy in the ivy, he finds it but does not fetch it every time. He'll take it in the bushes and will hide sometimes. Then it becomes a game of catch me. Thrashing he has become counter productive for this issue. Ignoring him has proven effective. I need to address him at the time he first disobeys the fetch command. A shock would work in this case. The bird dog book covers the ignoring technique. Duke seemed to have been more well behaved but a dove could have landed on his head and he would have ignored it. Scooby is very close to being ready. I just need to tweak a few things and hopefully the shock collar will do this nicely. I bet it will only take minimal adjustments as he is pretty smart...just stubborn. Getting a cap gun on the way home today. The book suggests shooting a cap gun while they eat as it associated noise with something good. The book also has a great technique for the actual shotgun experience. I'll add it to the next blog if the old dog wants to use it for Bubba.
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Well, I finally feel like I am ready for the hunt. I am now 'Bootifide'. My new $89 LL Bean thinsulated waterproof boots just showed up. They fit perfectly. I will wear them while I continue to work on the dog trailer. The camo pattern on the boots will be the paint pattern for the trailer. If you need an inexpensive but very easy to wear boot, the pair I received is the pair that is listed on the blogspot. They are awesome.
I've found that dog treats work really well with Bubba to get him to fetch the bird and to drop it on command. Actually, I've never had a problem with getting him to fetch the bird, but dropping it was another matter. It didn't take him long to figure out that he couldn't get the treat in his mouth without dropping the bird. Now he drops on command with or without a treat. Of course, if past experience is any guide, the first time he gets a hot, freshly shot bird in his mouth he'll not want to give it up. I've found that it's sometimes a good idea to let a young dog hold the first few birds for a bit before taking them from him. Maybe if Scooby gets the idea he'll get a treat when he brings the bird back it'll be easier to get him to retrieve.
good idea...I'll give that a try tonight.
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