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Thanks a bunch for the Dahls' article and all the other comments. That article has the kind of information I was specifically looking for.

I would still welcome any other info, opinions, or...

Is there a general difference in temperament between the retriever breeds (labs, flat coats, goldens, chessies) which would effect training for basic obedience, hunting & testing? Are some breeds...

I help teach a puppy class at my training club.

While the link below is NOT our club, this guy shows more or less the same technique we use to get almost all of the puppies in our classes started...

If you feel like spending a lot of time there, you could also get hold of the sponsoring club and offer to help-out (as a newbie).

I have learned a lot by volunteering to help. You get to know the...

I think that's a great idea. It sounds like she may be going due to too much excitement? If so, leaving her crated until she settles down should help.

A friend had a similar problem with a 4 year...

Is he solid on recall when not retrieving? If not, I would work on that first.

My dog used to do that when she first started in water.

After she dropped the bumper to shake, I would tell her to "fetch" and then "heel" (if she did not automatically heel after picking it back...

I think the quick release snap is WELL worth the extra money.
It makes getting the collar on and off easier for the handler.
Without it, you need to take the collar on and off the dog by taking...

Wow! Those are really great! I think you ought to frame a few of them (8x10-ish) for your walls or desk!

At 10 mos, it's possible the fence jumping is due to bordom and not separation anxiety? (Some dogs out-grow this or will stop if they have more to do - like training and exercise)
Either way, if the...

Thanks a bunch!

I think pot luck picnic lunches are a good idea. It's an opportunity for new trainers to better get to know each other and club members. PLUS - when everyone is well nourished, tempers don't flare as...

If your wife has the time and interest, she could take the dog to an obedience class (or possibly an intro agility class or rally class). The class instructor(s) should help fine tune the way your...

I try to use a clicker anytime I think my dog is confused while learning something new. This goes for agility, obedience, and retrieving. I seem to be able to get that clicker signal across to the...

I like this idea!

You might actually WANT him to find your cell phone someday.
My lab has found my missing gloves and I'm currently teaching her to find my car keys.

I'm a newbie, so take this for what it's worth.....

I'm training low force (I got my lab from a shelter - she has issues & I'm afraid of the e-collar w/o having a live pro or very experienced...

I'm a newbie but...
I know of a number of dogs that picked-up their first bird out of water (instead of the ground). Not a mark --- just a bird floating in water. Maybe it has to do with the dog not...

Congrats!

Love the decoy story (too bad there was no video)

I'm a newbie to this forum and I'm also a newbie to hunt training. Furthermore, I got my lab from a shelter (although she looks like a field dog in appearance my guess is that she is a puppy mill dog...

If I were looking for a lab breeder in MS, I would certainly contact these people:
Wildrose Kennels. They also train.

I agree with the opinion about the "sit" repetition BUT....

In general I like Fowl Dawgs a lot --- I am a beginner as far as hunt/field and I'm working with my first lab. (I have trained A LOT of...

I work as a commercial artist. So I do not own any artwork that I create at work. And I'm not overly protective of the fine art or the photographs that I create as hobbies.

But what you are...

John:

Thanks for posting the links to the videos
I'll certainly check them out
Cheers!

I read this post as a joke too --- and a pretty cute one!

But seriously, My dog is CRAZY gun-shy. So much so, that it ruins her retrieving all together and I've given-up any hopes at even a W.C....

Very cute!