iDoHunting.com: FF and won't open

Are you using a table and is the dog used to it? If not take a few sessions and just have the dog get used to being on the table. Let her walk up and down but don't let her jump off.
After she is ok with the table, you can start with hold training. You will notice in my article on training the hold, I start off with slight ear pressure.In your case Here is what you want to do first. With you index finger, push lightly on the corner of the dogs mouth. As she opens her mouth, slip 2 fingers behind the canine and teeth and place your thumb under her chin. The dog will head shake and try to spit your fingers. If she succeeds spitting your fingers just repeat the first step. Do this a few times until she starts accepting your fingers. This is a way of getting her used to having you in control of her mouth. Now that you got her mouth open have her hold your finger in her mouth for a short time.If she spits them wich she will, put slight pressure on with an ear pinch. She now will start solving the problem , she has slight discomfort until your fingers are back in her mouth. Timing is critical, as soon as you fingers are back in her mouth-release the pressure.Her rection now will probably to chew down. When she does, lightly grab the scruff of her neck and pull back gently. This should stop the chewing. Once she is holding your fingers for a short time, give your release command and let the dog give your fingers up.
Now you can start with the hold command. A new command for her so we are going to start with slight pressure on the ear followed by the "hold" command. After a few sessions of this give the hold command only, no pressure. If the dog does not comply then pressure is added. remember timing, as soon as the dog has the item in its mouth release the pressure. The dog now realizes the hold and pressure mean the same thing.
When this goes well and the dog is complying, I have it hold the glove without my fingers in it. from here you can move on to dowels, and bumpers and other items to hold.\
The main thing on your part is to be very calm about all this, it is easy to get mad and then the training is shot. if things are not going well, stop and try again later. Also very important when things are done right make sure you lay on the praise! This goes along ways.
Give this method a try. It seems like alot but you will have your dog holding in less time then it took me to write this.

Let us know how it goes and we can help you out with the next steps. Once you get the hold part of the trained retrieve taught the rest is a piece of cake

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Photo #1 the dog has accepted the hand and is holding until given the release command. Notice that the left hand is not on the ear as I am praising the dog. Photo#2 is the ear pinch.Fold the ear back and apply pressure. You may have to start with using the thumbnail and fingernail.

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Don Hanson, www.hjioutdoors.net
Minn Kota Promotional Team
In-Depthangling Pro-Staff