Dog getting to far ahead???

[Grandee]

I have a 3 1/2 yr old lab I got this year. When we are hunting and the birds start running she will chase them down

no matter how far until they get up. I have a shock collar on her, but doesn't phase when she starts chasing. Any suggestions on what to do to keep her from chasing??? Thanks

[JDM]

Check cord. It's a pain, but she will get the idea in a short amount of time.

Also - can you turn up the juice on the collar? You should be correcting the dog for not following the here command, not for running to far ahead.

There are times when as a hunter, you need to speed up to stay with the dog. Not all the time, but some of the time...

[nine-tiner]

agree with the check cord method, and sometimes a guy has to "giddy-up" and go to...guys with labs especially need to have the "track shoes on" from time to time..corn fields are the worst for this....don't want to shock the dog at the wrong time, it may think you are punishing it for going after the bird

[Grandee]

Thanks for the suggestions men! I'll give it a try.

[rundrave]

If your worried about ranging to far, get a really long check cord 30-50ft and go out in an open area. (but not the field). The reason I say that is that I want the dog to know while were in the field we hunt not train. You want the dog to keep focus of where you are, but that should still not distract it from hunting.

If you hunt with the dog on check card, you are teaching it to only hunt with in the limits of the check cord 30ft, or 50ft etc. In some situations that might be what you want. But in applying to an actual hunt, if it is only you and your dog, you would want to follow the dog, not dictate where the dog will be going.

I only use a check cord for obedience work. When we are in the field we are there to hunt and only to hunt, not to work on obedience.

Start walking in one direction until your dog gets its nose down or not paying attention to you. Make a 90degree turn and go in that direction for 15-20yards but dont say a word the entire time. Repeat this basically making a big square. Giving a big jerk on the check cord if the dog isnt following you. Your dog will figure it out soon enough that he can hunt on his own but it needs to stay close.

Repeat this proces 4 or 5 times for a couple days

The dog will figure it out.

[Farmboy1]

Check cord. Let the dog drag 50-75 feet of rope while hunting. If they start to range, call him back, he doesn't come, tip him over with the cord. They get the idea quick. But please make sure to verify the collar fits correctly, and make sure he is not hurting himself. I would do it in thin cover until he gets it.

After they are back to you, immediately work to the area he was headed. Let him know you control the speed, but you will get to the birds TOGETHER. After a couple times, when he gets birdy, he will check with you to see where you are before getting on them.

I disagree with the sometime you need to run after labs comment. A dog that works for itself is not doing its job. We are a team, and you are only as good as the weakest link. I prefer to be the weakest link

[nine-tiner]

I was the weakest link last weekend the way I shot. I should clarify by running its a few yards to make up distance, not full length of a field.

[Farmboy1]

Sorry, after a reread I came off sounding like a real dink.

And there is a big difference in running 5 yds and guys running 100 yds.