Every Single Session: Force Fetch Tutorial Videos for JGHV Dog Owners - Day 19

Описание: Learning Objectives:
• Review Forest Drag
• Review Retrieving Over Obstacle (“Fox in the Box”)

Training Session Summary: To start off this training session, I left Liesel crated in the truck while I drug a thawed rabbit 75m into a different part of the woods than what we used yesterday for our introduction to forest drags. After the track was laid, I brought out Liesel to work the track. She did an excellent job diligently tracking the drag. She immediately picked up the rabbit and turned to bring it back to me. She got a little distracted by a scent in a small brush pile and wanted to investigate it rather than bring the rabbit straight back. I had to give her a quick “come” whistle. Then she quickly came back to me and sat nicely to deliver the game. It is definitely true that there are more distractions in the woods than in the fields!

Next, I wanted to review the Retrieve over Obstacle (“Fox in the Box”) one more time. I still had the raccoon thawed from the day before. On Liesel’s first send into the box, you can see that she is a little distracted and does not immediately comply with entering the box. I had to give her a verbal “fetch” command. Then she neatly jumped into the box to complete the retrieve. I sent her a second time just to reinforce the idea that she must comply with my command. When this retrieve was clean, it was time to call it a day.

This is our last video in this video series. While training is never totally finished, today does mark a big milestone in a gundog’s life. Liesel has now completed the basic force fetch program and has a very strong foundation that will allow her to easily finish preparing for the retrieves at her HZP and VGP tests this fall. She is not perfect, but now we have a whole spring and summer to hone her skills and sharpen her up. The biggest difference is that we will transition from doing retrieving training sessions every single day to only once per week. We really want to keep things fun and interesting rather than letting her get bored. I hope that this video series has helped to build up your confidence that you can force fetch your own dog. It really is not a difficult process, and in fact, should be fun and a great way to bond with your dog. I have tried to break down the steps that I work dogs through while force fetching them, in addition to the importance of reading your dog to determine how quickly to progress through those steps. Rather than just videotaping a finished product, I wanted to show a dog making mistakes so folks could see how to make appropriate corrections and provide encouragement. As dog trainers, we should not be disappointed when our dogs make mistakes, but rather grateful for the training opportunity that it provides.

After working your dog along through this video series, your dog should be prepared to complete all of the land retrieves in the HZP and VGP. It is important to remember that Force Fetch training is never really done. At this point, you no longer have to train every day with your dog. In fact, you should not train that often or your dog may become bored. But every few days, or at least once per week, you should continue reviewing the drills you have learned in this video series to keep your dog retrieving in top form. I would recommend you choose one or two drills to focus on for each training session and challenge your dog to be successful in that one drill. You will also want to continue introducing new species of game to retrieve and introduce live/freshly-shot game. And finally, you will need to repeat many of these same concepts at the water as weather allows.


This video is part of a series of videos that I have produced called “Every Single Session: Force Fetch Tutorial Videos for JGHV Dog Owners". You can find the entire Playlist for this video series at    • Every Single Session: Force Fetch Tutorial...  . Other videos regarding raising/training Deutsch Drahthaars and other JGHV breeds can be found on my YouTube channel at    / @prairie-flusstal   or @CortneySchaefer-mn7mc.