Tips for training a lurcher pup

[foxhunter2011 1]

Any of ye lads have any tips on training a pup to retrieve ? Cause I never trained a pup before and want to train this one to retrieve . any tips would be greatly appreciated .

[BEARINATOR 2,926]

I normally get in between the pup and it's bed then throw a toy away from it's bed so it will pick it up and head for it's bed with it [typical pup reaction], then when it gets there I will take the toy and give it loads of praise.

Get a watch of purdeys progress mate as there is some good tips on it, I've a spare copy if you can't get 1

[3 Turns 326]

PLAYING / PRAISE AND PATIENCE WORKS EVERY TIME

[tsteve9999 456]

The best advice I was ever given is never lose your temper, if you find you are knock the training on the head straight away.

[paulus 26]

easier if you take it out with an experienced dog a case of puppy see, puppy do

[Acuspell 329]

The training of whatever action or skill MUST BE enjoyable for the pup. If it likes what it does (because it is fun) and it gets loads of praise for doing it, it will continue to do it. It is an association thing. If it associates GOOD THINGS with retrieving (loads of praise and a little tit bit sometimes) it will associate retrieving with getting praise and a little treat.

 

If it does something WRONG, do not force the issue. Do something else straight away to take its mind off it. Otherwise you can reinforce the WRONG association and the pup remember the scolding more than the praise. PATIENCE - it will take you 2 years to get it fully retrieve trained. It will take you 3 weeks to get started and bringing things for you....but that is not retrieve trained. that is just the basics. When you can send it back 400 yards to fetch one of your gloves you drop as you walk. Then it is well on the way to being fully retrieve trained. You do this by sending a bit at a time and gradually increasing the distance. The same as getting a dog to sit where you put it, and stay there until you return. At first they won't want to let you get out of sight (you are the pack leader). You have to increase their confidence a bit at a time.

 

Do not try and do too much too soon. You will overload the pup and confuse it. Imaging you learning to drive. You did it over time, not in 1 week. There was a lot to take in: the highway code, using the clutch, the gears, steering, looking in your mirror, indicating, how to take roundabouts. You can't do it all at once - NEITHER CAN A PUP!

[foxhunter2011 1]

sound lads all tips appericated