Rabbit retriever

[happykal]

Tikka will pick up just about anything I ask her to fetch. So I'm pretty sure I could get her to retrieve rabbits. But has any one on the forum tried to train their dog to retrieve rabbits? Whether you have or not what's your take on this?

[Jim]

I have not trained for rabbit retrieval, but my Golden naturally does it with more enthusiasm than she does for birds. It is actually her favorite thing to retrieve when given the chance. I think if your dog has a decent prey drive she will have no problem retrieving a rabbit. You may want to start by keeping her on a leash so she doesn't put you out of range.

[happykal]

I have not trained for rabbit retrieval, but my Golden naturally does it with more enthusiasm than she does for birds. It is actually her favorite thing to retrieve when given the chance. I think if your dog has a decent prey drive she will have no problem retrieving a rabbit. You may want to start by keeping her on a leash so she doesn't put you out of range.

Cool, should be easy then. I figured though if I was rabbit, apposed to grouse, I'd have her as a non-slip retriever. We've mastered that portion of it. I hunt a trail that's runs parallel to a logging road, so when we'd come out at the end of the trail, we'd go hunt the ditch on the opposite side, but because of traffic I'd have her at heel while crossing or walking along the road.

[Labber]

Cool, should be easy then. I figured though if I was rabbit, apposed to grouse, I'd have her as a non-slip retriever. We've mastered that portion of it. I hunt a trail that's runs parallel to a logging road, so when we'd come out at the end of the trail, we'd go hunt the ditch on the opposite side, but because of traffic I'd have her at heel while crossing or walking along the road.
Our gal Jazz, would pick up rabbits. The 1st time I had to tell her to fetch it up. After that no problems.
Usually, a dogs first exposure to woodcock results in a refusal. I usually ear pinch to the bird,(because the dog is already force fetched) and after that they will reliably retrieve them too you.

[BdBHunts]

Usually, a dogs first exposure to woodcock results in a refusal

Whenever my buddy and I hunted a young dog with experienced dogs and a woodcock was shot that bird was placed for the young dog to retrieve to see if there was hesitation.

Once you get the rabbits down pat try for a different kind of fur, like coon or fox.:rockon:

[happykal]

Our gal Jazz, would pick up rabbits. The 1st time I had to tell her to fetch it up. After that no problems. Usually, a dogs first exposure to woodcock results in a refusal. I usually ear pinch to the bird,(because the dog is already force fetched) and after that they will reliably retrieve them too you. I forced trained Tikka last year, hated every minute of it, but I found my state of mind plays more into the force fetch then the earpinch, collar or any form of pressure. For instance the other day I went to force fetch a bumper to show a friend effective training and Tikka lunged at the bumper as soon as the command was given. But yesterday I was working on casting (which she already knows) and she wouldn't go over because I had scolded her when she went over on a BACK command. So the next time I did "OVER" there was hesitation. So I did force to pile which worked for the first time. But the 2nd time I had frustration in my voice and she wouldn't have it. I applied the same amount of pressure as I used before and she refused to fetch. She even refused to open her mouth. Just stared at me. So I did a few fun bumpers to take the edge off, because I could just feel the frustration getting me. I pet her for a bit and started to train again. I won't end a session on a negative, but this time I was in more of a positive place. The expectation wasn't there so the frustration was gone as well. As soon as I said over boom she was there and back at heel waited for me to take the bumper. It's how she's always works. As soon as she knows I'm upset she just wants to be comforted like a child in a way. Guess I do baby her.