Question

[kateincornwall]

I am hoping to do some gundog training with Reuben , as I did with Sam . I recall that I started the more formal gundog training with Sam when he was around 10 months old , would this be about right or best to start earlier ? Also , what dummy did you use for a pupster/young dog ? Bit previous really as he isn't even here yet and I do think that general training is the firs step, in small doses xx

 

[snowbunny]

With Luna, I didn't use puppy dummies at all. I just played games with her toys, little tug games and retrieving in the hallway without taking the toy away from her, just throwing it out, encouraging her back to sit on my lap and I'd stroke and cuddle her, maybe give it the odd little tug but that was it. In no time, she was shoving her toys into my hand - I got a delivery to hand without even formally training it, and it's stuck all this time. I would occasionally throw a ball for her, but it was mainly just her toys.
When she was ready to start dummy work, I used the 350g slimline ones by WHB, but it looks like they're discontinued, which is a shame.

This was where I was with Squidge at five months: 5 months old, a training journal

 

[snowbunny]

Oh, and here was another post I wrote about what I was doing with her between three and four months: Retrieving games

 

[Cath]

I used a small puppy dummy with all my dogs. I also use the DVD The Drakeshead Way with John Halstead - Basic Retriever Training.
It starts from choosing your puppy until the first year. Its very good. You may be able to pick it up second hand off ebay.

 

[kateincornwall]

Thanks both xxx

 

[Heidrun]

I would start little retrieving games as soon as the pup comes home using soft toys, rolled up socks and my favourite, paint rollers. They are soft and light and cheap and puppies love carrying them. I would do all the things Fiona describes except the tugging on the toy.

 

[Beanwood]

I didn't do much in the early days. I did though work on a reverse clicker retrieves using soft toys. A squirrel was Bramble's first retrieving toy. We made it loads of fun, and combined with behaviour stuff...mat training, settle...hand touch which all helped later on.

 

[MellowYellow]

I also played happy little retrieving games with Merlin from the word go - no pressure, all jollity and lots of fun. I wore the whistle round my neck all the time, and blew the recall whistle every time I was feeding him anything.

 

[kateincornwall]

Thank you, more or less what I did with Sam in the early days but not the whistle , which I will do for every meal or treat x

 

[MellowYellow]

Thank you, more or less what I did with Sam in the early days but not the whistle , which I will do for every meal or treat x

Merlin has excellent recall to the whistle, and I put it down to him associating it with his dinner or nice treats!!! I think it was @Heidrun's suggestion.