How to Deal with Difficult Introductions? 

Author: Dave Goodison

Date: April 29, 2010

Each of us understands how introductions can often be an awkward business. Remember the time when you were not introduced at a gathering or a party, remember how it felt standing there with a group of people as the conversation was healthy and you were not part of it because you were not introduced. Not only is it good etiquette to introduce people correctly, it is just the right thing to do; it’s that simple.

In the life of a puppy introductions are no less important, in fact, it could be argued that introductions to new experiences are the most important experiences that a puppy will ever have. This can be explained easily if we recall how many times friends or acquaintances tell us about dogs they have, did have, or know of, that are gun shy. As with many behaviors in a dog’s life puppies are not born gun shy, again, this is a matter of introductions. I can recall many conversations with dog owners where they tell me the dog is great in all aspects of training except for a particular requirement such as entering water or responding to gun shot. Why is this so common? The reason for this is dog owners sometimes do not pay enough attention to introductions. Many water dog owners will want their dog to excel in the water only to initiate their puppy to deep water just after the ice has melted. 

In this article we will discuss a number of key introductions, and how to manage them. The recommendations contained in this article are guidelines and it is expected that you modify and develop techniques yourself as your dog develops. As a general rule, introductions to any new experience, especially for puppies, should be controlled, managed and graduated from simple to complex. This rule is true for water, heavy cover, rivers, handling, single or double retrieves or any activity. The secret here is to make the lesson as black and white as possible and eliminate opportunities for the dog to make mistakes in the beginning. For example, when introducing a dog to retrieving use white dummies in short cover for short distance retrieves, it is almost impossible for him to fail. After he gets the idea increase distance first, then change dummy color to orange, then introduce longer cover at shorter distances, then introduce more complex factors such as rivers, cover etc. Always consider complexities and control their application to lessons.

Introduction to Retrieving:

Let’s begin with a look at introducing a retriever to retrieving, wow, this sounds almost like a no brainer doesn’t it? It sounds simple, and perhaps it is, however, if handled incorrectly the consequences can be dire. The reason we are writing about introducing to retrieving first is because we want the dog excited about retrieving; we can then associate other behaviors such as water work and shot to the act of retrieving. Generally I find that if a retriever loves to retrieve and has high desire, other things come easy and mistakes in training can be overcome more readily. 

To begin with let’s assume the retriever is a puppy because this is the most critical time in a dog’s life. The act of retrieving is broken down into two main parts, running to the fallen game, and bringing it back. Many people have little or no issue teaching their retrievers to run out and find game or dummies, however, bringing it back can be another matter. Some dogs I have seen should not be named retrievers because they never bring anything back, they should be named finders, and perhaps they should be named “find and run away from that guy.” Joking aside, when puppies are introduced to retrieving the return portion should not be dismissed.

Here is what I do with every puppy and I have never had any issues with the return portion of a retrieve and have always enjoyed hard hitting retrievers that enjoy their work, this introduction can begin early in a puppy’s life. When you bring your puppy home let him get used to his surroundings for two to three days before proceeding with any retrieving, then choose a corridor or hallway where you can introduce the puppy to retrieving (you could put together a basic corridor using wood in the basement). Place yourself and the puppy at the open end of the hallway and get ready to throw the dummy down the hallway toward the dead end of the hallway, it may also be a good idea to place the puppy house or kennel behind you so that the puppy would have to run past you to get to his “safe” house. Generally I keep on hand a selection of small items to use as dummies, my favorite being a small black and white checkered cloth ball. The cloth ball is easy for the puppy to hold and because it is black and white it is attractive to the puppy as it rolls and flashes its way down the hallway.  

Begin by teasing the puppy with the dummy and make sure to get him excited as much as possible, sit on the ground with the puppy as you do this, the object of the exercise is to get him excited about the dummy. As he is trying to get the dummy from your hand throw the dummy down the hallway making sure he sees it at all times. The puppy should run down the hallway, pick up the dummy, and return to you. Because you have him confined in a hallway he cannot go left or right but must return to you. Stay sitting as he returns and he may try to get around you, gently grab him and make a fuss of him while gently removing the dummy from his mouth. Lots of praise here, no reprimand, all play!

The puppy may not succeed with this at first and do not get frustrated, I have had puppies that almost ignored me for days before getting interested in this exercise. When your puppy retrieves a couple of times then stop, do not wear him down and make sure to stop this exercise while the puppy is excited about retrieving, too much retrieving here will tire the puppy and perhaps turn him off retrieving.

After the puppy gets to like this, take him outside with a check chord and throw dummies in short grass such as a park, make sure to have no distractions such as people or other dogs near the puppy. When the puppy picks up the dummy from the short grass excitedly call his name and run directly away from him, he should aggressively give chase with the dummy in his mouth. As he chases you give him the “Here” command with your whistle and then get right down on the ground to welcome him to you providing him lots of praise.

If your dog is older you may have to use the check chord to ensure his return. To reinforce return (here command) with an older dog use a pond or other water source. The technique here is to have the dog on a check chord, perhaps 50’, and throw the dummy into the water but make sure to throw it less than the reach of the check chord. The dog should enter the water and proceed to the dummy, as he grabs the dummy in his mouth blast the “here” command on the whistle and tug the dog with the check chord. As the dog swims back to you repeatedly blast the “here” command and give him a tug with the chord. Do this a number of times for a couple of weeks and the dog will be more likely to return directly to you on land in the future.

Introduction to gun shot:

The startling rapport of a shot gun ringing in the ears of an unwitting puppy can be shocking to say the least. Instead of expecting to see a duck falling from the sky and having a strong desire to happily retrieve it for his master, if handled improperly your puppy may run the other way and cower beside your truck. It is of the utmost importance to introduce a dog to gunshot in a structured and controlled manner.

To begin with, never introduce puppies directly to shotguns or high powered rifles at close range, this will most likely startle the puppy and perhaps make him gun shy. Puppies should be introduced to the sound of a blank .22 starter pistol or a toy “cap” gun that does not make a loud noise. Often I will discharge a .22 blank pistol while the puppy is eating; just make sure the puppy is about nine weeks or older and also make sure to discharge the blank in a direction away from the dog and make sure to be thirty or forty yards from the dog when doing this for the first time. 

Introducing dogs to the sound of a shotgun is as simple as having a friend discharge a gun while you are with the dog, all the while praising and rewarding the dog. The friend should be at least one hundred yards away from you and should discharge the gun away from you and the dog, down wind is best. As the dog gets used to the noise, and shows no fear, begin throwing short retrieves for the dog and have the gunner move closer. Continue with this pattern and the dog will soon love to hear the gun because it means good things for him. 

If this is handled properly, you will have a dog that associates the sound of a gun with retrieving. This is why we introduce dogs to retrieving early because it makes lessons such as this much easier. 

Introduction to Water:

It may sound intuitive to introduce a water dog to water, but believe me, if done incorrectly you may have your work cut out to improve your dogs performance in water later in life. Introducing puppies to water is an easy task if handled correctly and will pay dividends later in the field. To begin with make sure the water is warm for a puppies initial water entry, it is often recommended by many that 65 degrees F is about the right temperature for such initiations. Begin in shallow water just walking with your puppy and getting him used to the water, pour praise on him and provide lots of petting and encouragement. If he ventures into deeper water and begins to swim stay close to him and praise him liberally. Many dogs will take a little time to get used to the water and they will generally walk about in the shallows, this is not a problem, just do not force water entry on the puppy. If the puppy does not enter deeper water by himself then you should walk into deeper water and encourage the puppy to come to you with lots of praise and excitement. After you have initiated your puppy to water begin throwing dummies from dry land into the shallows so your puppy can retrieve them without having to swim, this is always easier if the puppy is excited about retrieving. As the puppy gains confidence retrieving in the shallows, gradually throw the dummies farther until eventually the puppy has to swim to make the retrieve. You have now successfully introduced your puppy or older dog to water.

The lessons to be learned from the above are critical to training success in all aspects of dog training. Let’s condense:

1.Control and manage introductions to new experiences

2.Begin with simple “black and white” lessons and gradually increase complexity

3.Continue to reward and praise puppy as they expand their experiences

For help with dog training issues visit us at www.canadianwingshooter.com or tune into “The Canadian Wingshooter” on TV and internet.

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Good luck and happy training!