Force fetch training is known by several names: The forced retrieve, the trained retrieve, force breaking, etc. Different trainers use different methods to accomplish this goal. Some involve some limited pain such as an ear pinch; while others are strictly and praise and reward based.

As the name implies, you are teaching a dog to do something he is not naturally or instinctively predisposed to do. Essentially, the idea is to force your dog to pick up an object in his mouth, carry it firmly but gently, deliver the object to your hand, and hold it in his mouth until you take it. It’s more about controlling how the retrieve is completed rather than just retrieving in of itself.

Whatever you call it, and whatever method you use, it is essential to every training drill where ask the dog to pick up a bumper, hold it, and bring it directly back without dropping it or running off in another direction. It is essential to every hunt where ask the dog to pick up a bird, hold it, and bring it directly back without dropping it or running off in another direction. For every drill or hunting actuality that requires the dog to hold a bumper or bird in his mouth even for just 5 seconds – never mind the time it takes him to traverse a field and jump over creeks while holding the bird – force fetch training will help him and you be successful.

Most trainers/hunters teach it in some form. Some owners don’t like the sound of it. Most novices don’t understand it.

I have owned dogs that were not force fetch trained and others that were force fetch trained. My dogs that were not force fetched were often sloppy. They dropped birds long before bringing them back to my home delivery circle thereby losing some. One of my big bruiser labs refused to pick up geese (go figure) and on more than one occasion he would not pick up and deliver a goose on the opposite side of a creek or river. Dogs not force fetched often mouth birds excessively ruining a potential taxidermy mount, or rendering the bird inedible. On and on.

What I do know, is that my dogs that were force fetch trained made training and hunting much easier, more efficient and thereby so much more enjoyable.

My next, and all future dogs of mine, will be force fetch trained.

What I will not do is force fetch train a dog completely on my own, and I do not recommend it to you. Force fetch training falls into the category of introducing a dog to the gun and ecollar conditioning – things that you just cannot get wrong so you need professional guidance. If you made the decision to bring your dog to a pro for full time training, or to use a Pro Coach like I do, your job is made easier. Let them do it. If you don’t have a relationship with a pro on any level, I suggest you establish one for at least each of the aforementioned issues.