How can i train my lab to not be scared of a pit duck blind?
February 6, 2010 by Bowhunter
Filed under Hunting Blinds
Robby S asked:
I've hunted her a dew times now, and as long as we are timber hunting or hunting in brush beside a field she is a geat duck dog, but when i hunt he out of a pit she is awful. She will not willingly get into the pit and when i forcefully put her into the pit (on the dog seat) she gets mad and will not do anything for he rest of the day. Any ideas???
Bowhunting
I've hunted her a dew times now, and as long as we are timber hunting or hunting in brush beside a field she is a geat duck dog, but when i hunt he out of a pit she is awful. She will not willingly get into the pit and when i forcefully put her into the pit (on the dog seat) she gets mad and will not do anything for he rest of the day. Any ideas???
Bowhunting
Garden Ponds
The Duck Blind needs to be a positive place for the dog.
Forcing her in the pit is counter-productive, it will make her resent and **** the pit even more.
Try feeding her in the blind, lots of treats in the blind. Make it a fun spot for her.
Make Beer
Same way you get them used to anything else. Practice, bribery, and avoiding unpleasant events. Don’t force her into the blind. That’s almost guaranteed to make her more reluctant to go into it. Have you tried taking her into other similar spaces? That might give you some clue as to what it is she doesn’t like exactly about the pit blind. If this were my dog, I’d put a leash on, have some really delicious treat in my hand, coax the dog gently one step at a time while dispensing treats after each step, use lots of praise and encouragement, if she starts to act really uncomfortable then stop, make her sit and chill for a few minutes, then keep going. The leash is not to drag her in with but to stop her from being able to run off if she feels uncomfortable. You have to work through this feeling she has. Once she gets inside, she gets tons of praise, more food, and gets to leave the blind soon after. Repeat this process until she’s comfortable there, keeping her in the blind for longer times as she gets more comfortable in it. I know how incredibly frustrating it is when your dog won’t do what seems like such a simple thing, but whatever you do, don’t lose your temper or let your frustration show in your voice or body language. This may have to be the best acting you’ll do in your whole life. All is sweetness and light, no matter how obstinate the dog is being. It would be a shame if an otherwise good hunting dog couldn’t do this.