Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!doug.cae.wisc.edu!osnome.che.wisc.edu!hunting
From: eburns@ADS.COM (Edward Burns)
Newsgroups: rec.hunting
Subject: Re: gundog training
Keywords: gundog
Message-ID: <1991Jun21.063954.12055@doug.cae.wisc.edu>
Date: 21 Jun 91 11:39:54 GMT
References: <1991Jun20.043646.27739@doug.cae.wisc.edu>
Organization: Advanced Decision Systems, Mt. View, CA (415) 960-7300
Lines: 33
Approved: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu
Originator: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu

In article <1991Jun20.043646.27739@doug.cae.wisc.edu> dschranz@violet.waterloo.edu (David W. Schranz) writes:
>I am having problems 
>teaching them to "fetch up" ie. they drop the dumming 
>just before they get to me or they drop it to shake
>as they get out of the water.

My wife and I had this problem with our Chesapeake for a while too.
I'm sure there are many opinions on how to cure it, but here's what
worked for us.

On land, just place the dummy in the dog's mouth and hold it there 
for a few seconds while repeating the command "HOLD".  We didn't
make it stern, just a slow, clear command.  They might struggle, so
you'll probably have to hold the dummy there at first.  After just
a few seconds, command "RELEASE", and take the dummy.  Let them know
they just did a good thing with lots of encouragement or a treat, if
that's what you use.  When they start to catch on, lengthen the time
they are to hold it for you.

In water, position yourself right in front of the dog when its coming
out and start repeating "HOLD".  As soon as it comes on land, and 
before it has a chance to drop the dummy, reach down and hold it in
until the dog is sitting.  Command "RELEASE" and take the dummy away.
Again, lengthen the time between sitting and taking the dummy as soon
as they start to do it right.  They'll soon learn that shaking isn't 
the first thing they should do when they come out of the water.

Have you tried real birds yet?  They might no be so quick to drop
a pigeon or duck if you can get them.  In fact, with real birds,
our dog understands "HOLD" *real* well.  It's the "RELEASE" we have
trouble with :-).

Good luck.

Ed