I've been touching on multiple retrieves(2) with my 2yr black lab. I've read that to begin this its easier and best to throw in opposite direction so that they have to completely turn to focus on the 2nd toss, I've also read that it's good to have them retrieve the last one thrown first. My question is is that there are times that after the 1st retriev I'll send him to the 2nd and he'll run a little ways and forget what or where he was going, unless he sees it and then he'll charge.

Is there a trick or a method to use to work on his memory or is it just repetition and more work?

Jason

what color is the object/bumper you are throwing?

Throw one bumper one direction for 4-6 times with the exact same line. Then after she has that one, throw one the other direction and send her to that one. Then when she gets back and gives you the bumper on command you can release her to the memory bird that she has been doing. He/she will get it keep working on them.

It amazes me how I can work on something and work on something and think she isn't ever going to get this and then all of a sudden it is like a switch went off and she understands exactly what/why I am wanting. Then from there on out I don't ever have to mess with that again...just brush up on occasion and go on. I have my first lab and if you can't tell I am amazed at how they learn and figure stuff out.

I'll throw orange bumpers and canvas colored bumpers as well as dokken duck and a dokken dove.

Judd, this is my 1st lab as well and got him when he was 1.5yrs old and had never hunted but he has come a long way in my book haha we both have i guess you could say. thanks for the advice.

They cant see orange... I had the same problem... see if you get different results with different items.

I was having a problem with my dog running past the second bumper I called the trainer and she told me they cant see orange so then my next logical question was WTH do they make orange bumpers???

the answer was for blind retrieves.

I think nogeese is on to something....

Get some white/black or just white bumpers. Orange is the hardest color for them to see and most people use those in the later stages of training, when working on blinds and such.

jrg - I got really lucky and found a started dog that is a little sweetheart and just wants to make me happy. She will do anything I ask of her.

A buddy of mine recommended (because I just want a duck dog not a field trial dog) Chris Akin Duck Dog Basic's and it has been an awesome step by step instruction...$20 and worth 10x that.

You beat me to it...someone came in my office while I was typing and slowed me down Good catch no geese!

its the same for women... that is why the home depot credit card is orange

Gee nogeese... I think you oughta buy that trainer a beer! Glad to see it's been helpful - again! lol..

OK now... you DEFINITELY better buy that trainer a beer!!!!

Yeah, that is true. Why? Just makes sense. Your dog has that bird marked, get that one first, your dog will have more success with that strategy.

Yeah, I think so. Nothing wrong with throwing multiple marks and letting dog do what they were breed to do, let them hunt it up and find that memory bird. The more they do, they better they will get. Not only marking the birds, but also using their nose.

Thanks guys i'll implement this more into my training routine. As for the color changes i'm gonna look at holding off on the orange until he shows improvement and give him a chance to put 1 and 1 together then start adding some blinds in there from time to time.

Again thanks for the input.

Thats a good one

I think they can see orange.
It seems to be a shade that tends to blend well with the background. It seems to be harder for them to see it in some enviroments. Not a good choice for a bumper on a young dog. I use them for doing blinds in the dark -- forces them to use their nose!

Off topic, I know... but love the pic on your sig, Steel Shot. My kids accuse me of being partial to black. I dunno....