Encouraging a lab to pick up..........

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Beans1

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HI All

Little bit of advise needed from anyone who trains/works working dogs.

I have a 4yr old working Lab who I regularly beat with, always very well behaved, works very well, not gun shy etc. I have taken my time with him to make sure he is confident in what he is doing, around the guns etc, always making sure I am in control, so as not to upset anyone! :-)

So what is the best way to encourage him to pick up? I know this is in his blood so he 'should' pick up naturally but he seems a bit unsure, like he thinks he shouldn't almost like he thinks it is something naughty. He is a true 'carrier' though, always wants to hold whatever you have in your hand........ so any advise greatly appreciated, would love to see him picking up!
 
Well that's good, he obviously wants to do it :) Have you tried him with a feather dummy? He might find the texture of feathers in his mouth unpleasant if he's not tried before.

If you haven't introduced one before, I'd put an old pair of tights over the top to begin with (fab tip I got off Ravenwood btw) as this will stop feathers getting stuck in his mouth. Then you can work up to taking the tights off, then move to cold game, and build his confidence up:)
 
Thought I would give you a quick update, day one, worked with plain dummy, retrieving really well, added a few feathers, still retrieving well.... day two, started with dummy with a few feathers again, then moved onto full feather dummy, initially on the first retrieve he showed me where it was but wouldn't pick up, so i held it and he took it gently from me..... after i had done this he retrieved brilliant each time!

Had to post because it made me proud!
 
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