Force Fetching Intro

This video will show the very start of how to force fetch a retriever.  I know that you have heard me mention this concept several times over the past few months, but now you will get to see it in action.  For the people who may not understand this drill, we force fetch a dog so that once competition and field trials begin the dog learns how to fetch on command.  In a hunt test or field trial the dog is required to deliver the bird to the handlers hand.  Many of you have probably seen a dog exit the water and immediately drop the bird at the shoreline.  This command will teach the dog that when I say "Fetch" they will pick the bird back up immediately.  If a dog is not force fetched you have a very high risk of failure to deliver the bird/bumper to the handler in an acceptable manner.  If a dog drops the bird/bumper at the handlers feet and does not complete the retrieve they will be deducted points or failed for that test.  There are many ways to force fetch a dog but this method seems to be my favorite.  One thing that I do not have here is a table that is normally used to set the dog on, so they cannot get out of the pressure very easily.  We usually would attach a leash to the dog and then to a bar or post above the dog so that they cannot lay-down or get away from the drill.  Tuvuk has only done this drill twice and you will see the progress we have made.  It normally takes about 3-5 sessions for the dog to learn how to get away from the pressure, and how this is done is by getting the bumper in his mouth.  Hope you enjoy!!