How Does a Labrador Retriever Learn to Retrieve?

Retrieving Instinct

Labrador retrievers are a breed with a strong drive and desire to hunt. It has been bred into them for many generations, but learning how to bring that instinct out can often be a challenge.

You should begin evaluating a Labrador's hunting abilities when it is a puppy. A potential hunting prospect will be very focused and show a good deal of interest in chasing and carrying toys and decoys. A good hunting dog will always watch for objects to retrieve and will gladly bring them back with no hesitation. Retrieving skills become more solid with age and experience, so working with a puppy often is important.

Gathering The Required Tools

A number of tools are required to teach a Labrador retriever to retrieve. A sturdy collar and 30-foot lead are important, as are treats and toys. A good dummy is also needed. A dummy is normally a long cylinder shaped piece of plastic or canvas that can be thrown into the water for the dog to bring back. Training a dog with a dummy is vital, as the dummy offers the dog a bright focal point to pick out of the water and bring back.

Many trainers also keep an old bird wing as the Labrador's training progresses. The bird wing teaches the dog the smell and texture of an actual bird, making the transition to retrieving actual fowl much simpler.

Early Training

Labrador retrievers will learn to retrieve best if they are worked from a very young age. Young puppies are easily trainable and very impressionable, and early training will give them a lasting imprint. Begin the training process by throwing the puppy's favorite toy for her. She will gladly chase the toy and pick it up, which is an essential retrieving skill. Continue to work with the pup's toy until she is big enough to carry the dummy. Throw the dummy, encouraging her to chase and pick it up. Call her back to you once she has picked it up so that she associates retrieving with picking up and bringing back an object.

Pups should be trained to retrieve on dry land and in the water, so try tossing the dummy into a shallow pond so she gets used to being in the water as well. Repetition and praise is key to training a good retrieving dog. The puppy must be worked in short sessions and praised every time she performs properly in order to learn correctly. Dogs have a very short attention span, so short, frequent sessions will allow her to learn best.

Advanced Retrieving

Transition the Labrador retriever onto the wing piece once he is firmly retrieving the dummy. The dog may object to carrying the wing at first, as it has a strange texture. Continue praising the dog and offering him a reward when he performs correctly. Eventually the idea of carrying the wing will be familiar to the dog and he will carry it happily.

Introduce the dog to gunshots at this time as well. A good hunting dog needs to be used to the sound of loud gunshots, so working with the dog under fire will make actual fieldwork go smoothly. Have a helper stand a distance away from the dog and fire a gun while you hold and praise the dog. Give the dog a treat when he stands calmly during the gunfire. Encourage the helper to move closer to you and the dog so that eventually you are standing side by side when the gun is fired. Be sure that the dog does not flinch or appear frightened and continue to comfort and praise the dog until he takes no notice of the gun.

Field Training

Working a Labrador retriever in the field is the last step in teaching him how to retrieve. The dog needs to be familiar with hunting in a variety of situations, so working the dog in many locations is vital. Take the dog on short hunting trips in a range of locations and conditions so that she is used to hunting under any situation. Allow the dog to explore the field and become familiar with the territory so that she does not become disoriented. Keep the dog by your side and give the retrieve command once you have shot a bird. The dog will need guidance the first few times she hunts in the field, so show her the bird and encourage her to bring it back. Careful training and repetition is vital to helping a Labrador retriever learn how to retrieve.