Tc2663
Rank: Just A Pup
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2026 5:15 pm

Getting dog to be more determined and not rely on trainer

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Hello everyone, first post on this forum. I’m on my second waterfowl dog and I’m having the same problem I was having with my first one. Wondering how I should handle it. They seem to do great with retrieves that they see go down and can mark easily. I have had both dogs do 200+ yard retrieves! If the retrieve is in brush or a blind retrieve they seem to give up rather quickly and look to me to find it for them. Now the second dog seems to be doing better than my first one did, but if she has no clue where it is, she searches for a MAYBE 30 seconds then starts headed back toward me. After she does that it’s hard for me to get her to really even try to find it again, it’s normally a very short effort. Giving the hunt whistle helps but after just a very short while they give up. Any suggestions to get more drive in finding the hard to find retrieves? To trust me that it’s actually out there and that THEY need to find it not me?
Tc2663
Rank: Just A Pup
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2026 5:15 pm

Re: Getting dog to be more determined and not rely on trainer

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As a side note they do take direction pretty well. Tho the further the distance they seem to struggle, but I’m working on that.

I also have some live pheasants and frozen ducks at my disposal, was wondering if using those would help.

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