Force Fetch

Force fetch or "formal retrieve" as it is referred to is when we train the dogs to retrieve, deliver to hand, hold till we take it, and create a response in the dog that when they drop a bumper, bird, shed they will pick it back up without being asked but have the training to pick up on command.
This process looks different from trainer to trainer. Some people can get it done in a month, some take three months, I've seen extreme cases of longer. I've done one of my own dogs (an English pointer) in one week before but we have lots of prep work in other training that it created a quick result. Depending on the trainer, common methods are the ear pinch, toe hitch, e collar stimuli, and some methods in between or combinations of it.
Force fetch process is more than just training a dog to retrieve. It teaches a dog a deep understanding of accountability for their actions. Creates reliability in a dog, and it can be very intensive for some dogs. Just like people, some dogs like to be told what to do and some definitely don't. This can certainly shorten or extend training.
The biggest things I notice on a dog that goes through the process quickly is a forward thinking positive minded dog that has had structure, has been told no in its lifetime, and the owner had expectations of the dog. Dogs that struggle with this often have had little to no training, a poor working attitude and so on.

So what does the process look like?

We start the dog on basic obedience no matter what the owner as done prior. We create a relationship with the dog and get to know what kind of dog we have to work with. I will then follow up with proper e collar conditioning. I evaluate their natural retrieve.
I then start with glove work getting the dog to accept the glove in their mouth. Then we start by having the dog hold a dowel in their mouth nicely. Nothing fancy. I spend a lot of time here to fix chomping, chewing, loose or sloppy mouth.
We start applying pressure to teach the dog to grab the dowel. We do this through many sessions till the dog wants to grab the dowel with no pressure at all. I like them to be excited and over willing to do so before moving forward.
We now will have the dog conditioned to the e collar to grab the dowel. To me the quicker the dog responds to low stimulation on the collar the better it goes.
Every dog varies at this step, but I like to then have them start walking with the dowel. I do a variation depending on what is comfortable for the dog. Once the dog does this well we start getting the dog to walk and grab and then walk and pick up.
Then we start sending the pup on the retrieve and start putting it all together. We go back through any holes (chomping, chewing, loose mouth, sloppy grab) if they were to pop up. We apply this training while adding place boards, or blind.
We then go to yard drills.
This process isn't a one size fits all process. I mix and match steps sometimes depending on what a dog takes to learn.

How long will this take? Cost?

I run a three month program. Obedience, collar conditioning, force fetch, and application to basic yard drills to finish off the process.
$900 a month
Sessions are short and multiple a day. We do what the dog best responds to.

Why would I need this for hunting?

For shed hunting, this is a great way to get a dog who is nuke warm on sheds strong at grabbing and retrieving them. If they bump brush bringing one back and they drop it, they will pick it back up instead of leaving it. This is common in puppies.
For dogs that don't retrieve we can create it!
For bird work this helps fix retrieve issues like spitting, dropping, crunching game, and more!
Its helpful to encourage a softer dog to grab a bigger bird or goose if need be.
Helps make a weak retriever strong.
Great tool when doing advanced drills for waterfowl/upland work.