Improving your gundog’s delivery to hand is crucial for a reliable retrieve, and it begins with building the right habits early on. Whether you’re working with a retriever, spaniel, or HPR breed, consistency, patience, and the right techniques will help ensure success. Ay Byron Gundogs, here in the Cotswolds, we have seen lots of different issues. So here are some tips on how to get started.
1. Start with a Solid Foundation
Before even working on retrieves, focus on your dog’s recall. If they won’t reliably return to you, it’s unlikely they’ll deliver anything directly into your hand. Work on creating a strong bond where your dog views returning to you as rewarding, whether that’s through food, touch or praise. Establish this early in puppyhood to avoid common issues such as “keep-away” games, where your dog views you chasing them as fun.
2. Teach a Strong Hold
One of the most effective ways to improve delivery is by teaching your dog to hold an item properly until you command them to release it. The use of an indicator word (such as good or yes) or a clicker can be particularly useful here. Start by shaping the behaviour through small steps—first encouraging your dog to touch the dummy, then hold it, and finally deliver it into your hand. Use a clicker or a marker word to reinforce these behaviours, but never reward with food as this can encourage spitting.
3. Use Variety in Your Training
Dogs often get over-excited by certain dummies or game birds, which can lead to problems like playing keep-away or dropping the item too early. To counteract this, introduce a variety of objects during training, including those with different textures, such as fur or feathers. By normalising novelty, your gundog will be less inclined to get overly excited about a specific object, improving their focus on delivering to hand.
4. Avoid Unintentional Reinforcement
Be mindful of what you are reinforcing during training sessions. Sometimes, handlers unintentionally reward bad habits by allowing the dog another retrieve even after a sloppy or incomplete delivery. Instead, only reward clean deliveries, either with touch, praise, or by allowing the dog to perform another retrieve.
5. Stay Calm and Positive
Your dog can pick up on your body language and emotions, so it’s important to remain calm and encouraging during training. A frustrated or stern demeanour can cause your dog to become anxious, which often leads to sloppy retrieves or avoidance behaviours like dropping the dummy prematurely. Smiling, staying relaxed, and keeping your body language open (e.g., avoiding crossed arms or tense posture) can help your dog stay focused and confident.
6. Force-Free Fetch Methods
If you find your dog consistently struggling with delivery to hand, a force-free approach may help. This method focuses on positive reinforcement to build a reliable retrieve chain without causing stress or confusion. By breaking down the steps of the retrieve—such as holding, carrying, and releasing—and reinforcing each one with rewards, you can gradually build a reliable delivery. This method is particularly useful for dogs that have developed bad habits over time.
7. Address Group Pressure
If you often work your gundog in a group, be aware that group dynamics can add stress for both you and your dog. This can lead to unwanted behaviours like refusal to return or veering away from you during the retrieve. If you notice this, try training in a less crowded environment to build confidence, and gradually reintroduce group settings once the dog is delivering reliable.
With the right mix of positive reinforcement, calm handling, and varied training, you can significantly improve your gundog’s delivery to hand, ensuring they are reliable and effective in the field.
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