February/March 2004 Now in our thirteenth year. www.Bdarn.com

It may be that your young pointer is not a natural retriever. You may decide that you can live with this, perhaps hoping that things will improve as she matures. If she doesn't retrieve by the second or third season, the chances will be slim. Most hunters want a dog that finds and retrieves the birds for them, and if you plan to compete in events with your dog, she must retrieve. What can you do?
The common term used for a dog that has been trained to retrieve is "Force-broke." We prefer to call it the trained retrieve, because it can, and should be, a humane process of teaching your pointer to retrieve, hold, and release a bird on command. Even a dog that is a natural retriever will have days where he may do a sloppy job ­ maybe it's hot and dry and he decides to drop the bird halfway back to you. Teaching the trained retrieve will ensure that your dog will always retrieve reliably.
Because we want our young dog to be hunting with enthusiasm and have positive experiences, we don't teach the trained retrieve to a dog until he's been hunted at least one or two seasons. Don't forget ­ he may surprise you and start retrieving on his own. We let him be a puppy ­ because he is ­ until about a year and a half to two years of age. Then he will be mentally ready for the challenge of the trained retrieve and is often quicker to catch on.
We'll cover the trained retrieve in detail in future columns. Meanwhile, relax and have fun with your young pointer this first season!
Bob and Jody Iler hail from Green Valley Kennels of Dubuque, IA

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