Hard mouth
- Thread starter Barlowbob
- Start date
shakey jake
Well-Known Member
ive heardgood reports about ktan but havent done a skin my self
Foxyboy43
Well-Known Member
Hmmm. I have encountered this a few times over my shooting life - sadly it can be very difficult to stop. Ideas run from you running straight in to the dog when it picks up quarry to muzzling the dog so that it cannot bite the quarry both of which mean it doesn’t retrieve which kinda defeats the purpose.
Most of my pals have moved offending dogs on though one still has a lab that majors on snipe - eating them whole!
I hope you get it sorted and will be interested to hear others ideas.
Most of my pals have moved offending dogs on though one still has a lab that majors on snipe - eating them whole!
I hope you get it sorted and will be interested to hear others ideas.
McKenzie
Well-Known Member
I’ve never done this but the old fashioned method was to wrap a dummy with barbed wire then wrap with canvas again. I would think that this would have to be a last resort as I would think you could also put a dog completely off retrieving.
My first pointer was very hard mouthed so I trained it to just point dead birds again & I would then have to pick them myself but at least the bird wasn’t ruined.
The duck dummies with a loose hard head are good at preventing shaking.
My first pointer was very hard mouthed so I trained it to just point dead birds again & I would then have to pick them myself but at least the bird wasn’t ruined.
The duck dummies with a loose hard head are good at preventing shaking.
Rhodesianjess
Well-Known Member
I would presume that your dog isn't a puppy,in which case I don't know how to help you.
However, the "old boys" that I was in contact with when I first started keepering always swore by using a jackdaw for a puppy's first retrieves. Seemingly a jackdaw is very bitter to the dogs taste buds, thus discouraging a pup from chewing or gripping too hard.
I've always used this method,touch wood I've never had a hard mouthed dog, whether that's the reason I truly don't know.
Bear in mind too that puppies are enthusiastic over everything,that includes retrieves,so the odd bird damaged is to be expected. Good luck in your quest to cure it.
However, the "old boys" that I was in contact with when I first started keepering always swore by using a jackdaw for a puppy's first retrieves. Seemingly a jackdaw is very bitter to the dogs taste buds, thus discouraging a pup from chewing or gripping too hard.
I've always used this method,touch wood I've never had a hard mouthed dog, whether that's the reason I truly don't know.
Bear in mind too that puppies are enthusiastic over everything,that includes retrieves,so the odd bird damaged is to be expected. Good luck in your quest to cure it.
Foxyboy43
Well-Known Member
None without side effects…
DG
Phil fox man
Well-Known Member
one of my dogs could be a bit " crunchy" on bird's but will bring eggs and hedgehogs back unharmed.
it doesn't bother me as any dog that will jump into a freezing cold pit and bring a duck out for me is ok by me.
it doesn't bother me as any dog that will jump into a freezing cold pit and bring a duck out for me is ok by me.
I remember a HM Lab, it run rings around all other dogs see it go 1/4 of a mile up a creek to pick up a chipped Teal.
You won't change the dog and if you try it wont work just except how he/she is. My oldest dog is crap on the stop whistle but that was my fault however he will wind a tiny bit of sent and find it.
The younger one is better as 2 years over lock down I spent much more time with him.
She's just coming up to 3yrs good nose and very enthusiastic seems to be birds that are still alive that she does it to. Looks like I will just have to put up with it. Have never sent her for crows as I know if they peck at her she will crush them.
Cheers for the replies
Cheers for the replies
Rhodesianjess
Well-Known Member
Been thinking of a beater I had on an estate many years ago now. His black/white springer dog would kill pheasants like a terrier, really rag them like rats. However the same dog would retrieve a trout without a mark on it,to the extent that old Roger never bothered with a landing net. Go figure.
Anything that relies on aversive training (ie something that is unpleasant for the dog) may result in the dog not wanting to pick up, or even go near the birds. You may have to put up with it.
Or practice at close range and give a reward when it is gentle? You can't do this at distance
Or practice at close range and give a reward when it is gentle? You can't do this at distance
jimmy milnes
Well-Known Member
Yet to see one cured in older dogs as its an ingrained habit, "pups often can damage a bird through enthusiasm obviously" accept it or move it on as a pet and start again..
J.kerslake
Well-Known Member
As annoying as it might be, I don’t think taxidermy is the answer for the poor dog…
Ronin
Distinguished Member
I wish I'd not read that. Has the experienced HPR trainer never heard of animal welfare? I think the trainer should have the dummy and anti climb strips shoved up his jacksie ( with or without the ends nipped off of course.)
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