Working Retrievers

  Field and Hunt

Retrievers were originally bred to work as hunting retrievers in the field. Our dogs have evolved over the years to be great multi-purpose sporting dogs.  They are accomplished in a variety of tasks.  These dogs can not only hunt and return game to their owner, but they can also bring a dropped remote control.  When I talk about a working retriever, I am not only referring to the tasks ,the dog was bred to do. I mean any and all sports and activities that you can participate in with your dog.

As a sporting dog, retrievers do not herd, don't lure course or participate in earthdog events.  They are going to retrieve.  I am asked all the time how to teach a retriever to retrieve, and it is not something that takes alot of effort.  It is all in how you respond to your dog when he/she brings you things.  If your dog brings you a shoe don't yell, just thank them profusely and be excited that they brought it to you.  When they bring you your dirty underwear from the laundry pile, be ecstatic and happy and tell them they are wonderful.  Retrievers want to please you and, if you are happy when they bring you things, they will continue to bring you things. Now of course you don't want them retrieving your laundry all the time, so you can take those things away and replace them with something they are allowed to have.  When they bring you something they can have, don't take it away every time.  Sometimes you might want to take it and keep it, or give it back right away. Other times, you won't take the item at all.  Generally, when I take a bumper from my dogs it means I will throw it for them again. If they do not return what I have thrown then the game is over and we are done throwing and retrieving.  This is terrible for my four who love to chase that bumper or ball more than anything in the world.  They have learned that if they don't return what I have thrown then it doesn't get thrown again.

Our dogs participate in a variety of activities.  Meghan is retired from showing and is active in obedience.  Connor also works in obedience.  Shalva is active in obedience and is working on hunt and field work.  Cuinn, well, he is just working on being healthy. Kaelyn is still learning manners, all in good time. We are hopeful for Shalva's son Meir as he has alot of drive and spirit.  They all enjoy tracking and chasing down a bumper as I mentioned above.  I firmly believe that a dog should be able to show you that they can do something.  Being a conformation champion is wonderful, but I feel our dogs need to be more than just pretty faces. A couch potato existence is fine sometimes, but these dogs were bred to retrieve and hunt. I believe that is an important skill to retain in our dogs.