Training Our Labrador | Hold Conditioning Rosie: Day #18

#holdconditioning #gundog #labrador
If you know me, you'll know that I've had working gundogs throughout my life. When my kids came along my wife and I decided that we wouldn't get another dog until the boys were old enough to treat one with respect. In April 2021 we got Rosie!
In the 6 years we were without a dog I have forgotten so much. As a result I started treat training Rosie and it got me so far but she developed some bad habits along the way. Now she is almost a year old and has a good solid set of manners and foundation training but I think it's time that we start to focus on gundog training.
Join me on day 18 of following @dogbonehunter program of hold conditioning. This is a method of training our labrador to hold onto an object and avoid her spitting it out on retrieves.
Boy what a difference! I’ve been experimenting with leaving Rosie longer to settle before attempting holds and it appears to be making a big difference in the amount Rosie is taking in mentally. The past 3 days have been steady progress and we’re starting to get a still head position and no chomping and chucking her head back. The only thing we need to work on with Rosie before moving on is claiming the dowel with her foot. If anything Rosie was a little too relaxed today during each hold and she kept trying to lay down. All in all a solid performance today!