Do retrievers need to retrieve?

This is a place to gain some understanding of dog behavior and to assist people in training their dogs and dealing with common behavior problems, regardless of the method(s) used. This can cover the spectrum from non-aversive to traditional methods of dog training. There are many ways to train a dog. Please avoid aggressive responses, and counter ideas and opinions with which you don't agree with friendly and helpful advice. Please refrain from submitting posts that promote off-topic discussions. Keep in mind that you may be receiving advice from other dog owners and lovers... not professionals. If you have a major problem, always seek the advice of a trainer or behaviorist!

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Trigger

*Blackdog*

Barked: Fri Apr 13, '12 1:49pm PST


	Conservation isn't simply about "killing things" Ginger. Thankfully most of the general population knows this. It is a pretty basic concept. Edited by author Sun Apr 15, '12 9:36am PST

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Trigger

*Blackdog*

Barked: Fri Apr 13, '12 2:25pm PST


	Hunting does involve harvest, but that's not ALL it is. Hunters don't go out gunning down whatever moves. There is expansive and expensive study on all wildlife populations and their affect on their environments. Hunters themselves contribute MORE to conserving habitat and SAVING and PRESERVING species than any other group in the United States. That has NOTHING to do with a dog hunting, so why you brought it in is beyond me, unless your intent was to offend the living **** out of every hunter on this board. A bird dog doesn't need a hunter to make an actual harvest to run through the exact same retrieval process helping them to feel fulfilled in exactly the same way they would if they were bringing back a live bird.

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Zephyr

1213425

Barked: Fri Apr 13, '12 4:16pm PST


	"That has NOTHING to do with a dog hunting, so why you brought it in is beyond me, unless your intent was, to offend the living **** out of every hunter/person on this board." Fixed it for you. Edited by author Fri Apr 13, '12 4:36pm PST

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dog-sitter in- charge.

Barked: Fri Apr 13, '12 4:19pm PST


	I don't know of many (or any) laws in the USA that allow hunting with dogs that are supposed to kill game other than rodents and rabbits.. And I never knew killing animals as a traditional function of any of the Retriever breeds. Edited by author Fri Apr 13, '12 4:26pm PST

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Dahlia

Gone, But Not- Forgotten.

Barked: Fri Apr 13, '12 4:23pm PST


	"A lot of dogs can satisfy hunting needs with toys and/or zip lines and tease toys if you're not into killing things." Killing things? That statement almost makes hunters sound like serial killers. 1. Like Trigger said, it helps thin the population & aids in conservation. 2. All the hunters I know eat the animals they hunt. 3. Dogs are carnivores by nature & hunting satisfies their basic instincts. By training a dog to retrieve gives it impulse control. Back to the real topic: Do they NEED to retrieve? No. Some retrievers develop the need or enjoyment later in life. Some start as pups & never stop. If your dog shows interest, great! If not, I am sure he will still have a fulfilling life.

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Tanuk, CGC

Sherpa Tanuk of- Everest

Barked: Sat Apr 14, '12 7:32pm PST


	Depends on the retriever. I know some labs that honestly live with the wrong family, because they NEED to be working. Then there are others that probably would roll their eyes at you if you tried to pry them off the front porch/couch. Chessies however are a whole different ballgame. They without a doubt, NEED a purpose. And they will harass you endlessly until you let them fulfill that purpose. If you start young, you can choose that purpose for them though and make life a bit easier for everyone involved. Of the ones I know, most do water retrieval or dock diving, and one actually does frisbee. All of them will literally do whatever their chosen job is until they drop, and if you don't let them do it they're total bears to be around. So I would encourage Finn to choose a constructive hobby.

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Farley

Farlekiin the- Dragonborn

Barked: Sat Apr 14, '12 8:34pm PST


	Tanuk- much like Boomer the Chessie on CM.. this dog was literally screaming for a job to do. Boomer the CBR

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Jackson Tan

Lad about town

Barked: Sat Apr 14, '12 9:54pm PST


	He DID have a job, Farls ... wearing the clown suit. I think dock diving would be a great idea for Finn, I remember seeing Chessies doing it on Letterman and they were just LOVIN it.

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"Selli"

The Muddy- Princess

Barked: Sun Apr 15, '12 3:19pm PST


	Although the main job of a retriever is to "retrieve" birds or sometimes rabbits, some will kill the bird or rodent if the prey is wounded but not dead when they get to it. Sometimes they will retrieve the injured animal without killing it. My Selli is a well-bred girl who is not birdy. She likes the idea that Goldens were also used on rabbits since she LOVES chasing bunnies. She has no interest in dead things but she will carry live bunnies around in her mouth. The most interesting thing though is how she waits for my direction when we are out in the field and she doesn't know which way the bunny has run. So I don't think retrievers (or at least Golden, Labs and Flat-Coats need to be trained to go bird hunting, but I think allowing them long stretches unleashed in open fields on a regular basis is necessary to their happiness.