Dog dont like feathers

[charger]

A little Golden I have is being started late (3 years old) but man oh man can he retrieve. In a flash he was watching my hands,marking the fetch,just unreal. But hold on, feathers uh uh.. Wont put em in his mouth. No matter what kind of feathers. Even found a farmer that was keeping some domesticated mallards over winter. Bought a couple,and tried using the wings off them. Wont touch em not even by force. They have a slight farm smell,but if I trained with pigeons they dont carry perfume, and if you look at where some ducks are retrieved from. I've tried other types of clean feathers attatched to his dummy. Retrieving always goes well till I put feathers in the picture..Any ideas

 

[Bwana John]

I might suggest using just a wing that is attached to a favorite toy by wrapping with lots of string to keep the feathers down until he gets used to the feel and smell.

Do not use a dove to train with for a long time, they have to be the worst for loose feathers in the mouth.

I had a little lab who was just about the best dog there was for duck hunting, but would not bring back doves after the first time. She would just look at you and make a funny noise with her mouth. She wouldnt touch geese either, she would just run up to them, stop, look back, and give me this look like "you really screwed up this time, we better get out of here before homeland security finds out about this"

 

[Kingcreek]

I had a great retriever that would retrieve almost anything, anywhere- but the first time he picked up a dove, he spit it out and never would pick up another.
try putting a cloth wrap or sock over a wing-wrapped dummy until he gets used to it.

 

[charger]

Sounds like its just a matter of slow and steady...So I'll try what you've said about getting him used to it bit at a time. Thanks guys

 

[TaxPhd]

Actually, slow and steady probably won't work. You might try using a frozen quail. dogs that don't like feathers will often go for it if frozen. However, you will likely have to force break the dog to retrieve. Seek assistance from someone knowledgeable, you don't want to try it on your own with no experience.



Scott

 

[HSMITH]

I agree with Scott, find a GOOD trainer and force break the dog to retrieve birds. It isn't as bad as it sounds, though it is mildly unpleasant for dog and owner at first. The upside is he will do what you want AND the fun will be back in it for him in no time at all.

 

[Rpriestlyjr]

I had a lab that would do the same thing.
Retrieve everything, but never a bird. She'd swim circles around ducks and wait until I got out there to get it.
Never lost one.
She was a damn good dog.