by Diane McCann » Sun 02 Apr 2017 5:31 pm
May have water in his ears but probably not, this is a natural thing for dogs to do and is a training issue. Have you separately gone through a 'hold' training program? You need to teach your dog to hold as a separate step to retrieving as you do not want to be negative with your dog once he has gone out and gotten something and brought it back. You need to get him to the point where you can tug on the item in his mouth and he will not let it go until you give him the release command. Once you have done this training you can stand very close to the waters edge and tell your dog 'hold' as he gets out, back up a few steps saying hold, get him to sit with dummy in mouth and then say give or whatever your release command is. As he progresses stand further back to take delivery. Once you have thoroughly taught hold, if he drops the game before delivery put it back in his mouth, tap under his jaw and say hold, then take a step back and have him come in and sit and hold. If you need more help on the separately teaching the hold phase them send me a PM
Diane