I am 19 and I'm picking up my first black lab puppy in a couple of weeks. We are going to train her to hunt and run the tests. Any good tips on starting out or good videos to get me headed down the right path? I've seen bill hillmans video and fowl dogs 1 so far.
Starting out young?
jdemink
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I am 19 and I'm picking up my first black lab puppy in a couple of weeks. We are going to train her to hunt and run the tests. Any good tips on starting out or good videos to get me headed down the right path? I've seen bill hillmans video and fowl dogs 1 so far.
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Welcome to the dark side my friend. It's a journey that's a great one.
I really like Bill Hillman and Evan Graham's material. Both are excellent and good puppy programs. I'd also look at a retriever club in your area for some hands on help and good relationships.
I really like Bill Hillman and Evan Graham's material. Both are excellent and good puppy programs. I'd also look at a retriever club in your area for some hands on help and good relationships.
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For the very young pups I use Sound Beginnings by Jackie Mertens
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Best quick advice I can offer is to determine your goals with your pup (looks like you've done that so far), and also how far you want to go with your dog. Will your dog be primarily be a meat dog that runs tests up to seasoned level, or do your goals include a finished and/or master hunter dog that hunts? There is a big difference in how you train and what you allow to go on during hunting season. Bad habits can (or in my case, WILL) be learned during hunting season, but it all depends on your goals with your new buddy. It is not required that you have a finished level or master hunter dog for your dog to hunt with you, but you must be in control during hunting and realize your dogs training and his/her limitations, especially up in michigan where ice may be thin early on and water gets cold. Again, these are general guidelines that are only my opinion; others may have better Advice to offer than I do.
Once you have your goals and know how far you want to go, decide on a program or develop one yourself. Then, I would highly recommend joining your local retriever club. Training with other people and dogs can be an invaluable experience, especially if you are able to find people who have a pup/dog at your level because you can exchange ideas/tips on training ideas that have worked and not worked. After joining the club, keep an open mind and don't lose sight of your goals and program. I love when my buddies and club members offer me advice, and I always accept criticism because almost 100% of dog training is training the trainer. However, some advice that you get from your training partners may not fit your style or program, or dog (just as each person is different, each dog is different). Thank them for the tips and advice regardless.
Also, if you decide to try and personalize a program, write it down on paper and take it to a training day. Have some of the members review it and make suggestions to make sure you're doing things in an appropriate order. Again, thank them for taking the time to dose; most would be very willing to do this for you.
Lastly, don't try to move too fast and build that bond between you and your pup. Other people may have different goals than I did/do with my dogs, but my primary goal is to have a buddy, and for me, training doesnt start until that goal is accomplished. Then comes the training for hunting and hunt tests. There's nothing like watching a dog and handler that are best buds work together as a team at the line or in the field.
Haha, and lastly, this is my opinion, so if it doesn't fit your plans or goals, no hard feelings felt here!
Have fun and enjoy the ride!
Once you have your goals and know how far you want to go, decide on a program or develop one yourself. Then, I would highly recommend joining your local retriever club. Training with other people and dogs can be an invaluable experience, especially if you are able to find people who have a pup/dog at your level because you can exchange ideas/tips on training ideas that have worked and not worked. After joining the club, keep an open mind and don't lose sight of your goals and program. I love when my buddies and club members offer me advice, and I always accept criticism because almost 100% of dog training is training the trainer. However, some advice that you get from your training partners may not fit your style or program, or dog (just as each person is different, each dog is different). Thank them for the tips and advice regardless.
Also, if you decide to try and personalize a program, write it down on paper and take it to a training day. Have some of the members review it and make suggestions to make sure you're doing things in an appropriate order. Again, thank them for taking the time to dose; most would be very willing to do this for you.
Lastly, don't try to move too fast and build that bond between you and your pup. Other people may have different goals than I did/do with my dogs, but my primary goal is to have a buddy, and for me, training doesnt start until that goal is accomplished. Then comes the training for hunting and hunt tests. There's nothing like watching a dog and handler that are best buds work together as a team at the line or in the field.
Haha, and lastly, this is my opinion, so if it doesn't fit your plans or goals, no hard feelings felt here!
Have fun and enjoy the ride!
Jeremy, I have had a few people tell me nearly the exact same thing. Especially with making the dog your closest partner. I haven't decided exactly what my final goal is yet, but I will make sure to keep it in mind over the time. Thank you for the advice
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+1 to everything Jeremy said!
It's hard to remember sometimes, but short training sessions (3-5 repetitions) are WAY better then doing things over and over. Also remember you are trying to set things up for your pup to succeed, so don't challenge him until he fails... Give him easy stuff, reward him. When he's got the easy stuff, try adding something a little harder, but then go back to what he knows and always end on a positive note!
And if you want to go a little out of the box, I have a whole book list I give to people who buy my pups, but my two favorites to start with are:
Perfect Puppy in 7 Days By Sophia Yin DVM (Has some VERY good information about beginning training with puppies, not a hunting book, but something I think everyone who is getting a new pup should read for a newer approach to raising a pup.)
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: CattleDog Publishing; 1st edition (August 1, 2011)
$14 new online
Bill Tarrington
Hey Pup, Fetch It Up!: The Complete Retriever Training Book (I just enjoyed the read as it was more a narrative then a manual, and definitely had some great starting information.)
Hardcover: 512 pages
Publisher: Stackpole Books (June 1, 1993)
$7 used online
It's hard to remember sometimes, but short training sessions (3-5 repetitions) are WAY better then doing things over and over. Also remember you are trying to set things up for your pup to succeed, so don't challenge him until he fails... Give him easy stuff, reward him. When he's got the easy stuff, try adding something a little harder, but then go back to what he knows and always end on a positive note!
And if you want to go a little out of the box, I have a whole book list I give to people who buy my pups, but my two favorites to start with are:
Perfect Puppy in 7 Days By Sophia Yin DVM (Has some VERY good information about beginning training with puppies, not a hunting book, but something I think everyone who is getting a new pup should read for a newer approach to raising a pup.)
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: CattleDog Publishing; 1st edition (August 1, 2011)
$14 new online
Bill Tarrington
Hey Pup, Fetch It Up!: The Complete Retriever Training Book (I just enjoyed the read as it was more a narrative then a manual, and definitely had some great starting information.)
Hardcover: 512 pages
Publisher: Stackpole Books (June 1, 1993)
$7 used online
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In addition to these videos I would suggest "The Wildrose Way."
Just take your time, be patient, and have fun with your dog. If at any time you get frustrated or it's not fun anymore for you or the dog, put the dog up, go cool off, and come back to it later. Best advice I have ever received.
Just take your time, be patient, and have fun with your dog. If at any time you get frustrated or it's not fun anymore for you or the dog, put the dog up, go cool off, and come back to it later. Best advice I have ever received.
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Some retriever books for ya:
Training your retriever by James Lamb Free;
Retriever puppy training by Rutherford and Loveland;
Training the hunting retriever by Bill Tarrant;
Retriever pups by Bill Tarrant;
Retriever training by Robert Milner;
And one of my favorites: Charles Morgan on Retrievers..
That should keep you busy for awhile....All great reads...there are more, but I think these will get you going.
Training your retriever by James Lamb Free;
Retriever puppy training by Rutherford and Loveland;
Training the hunting retriever by Bill Tarrant;
Retriever pups by Bill Tarrant;
Retriever training by Robert Milner;
And one of my favorites: Charles Morgan on Retrievers..
That should keep you busy for awhile....All great reads...there are more, but I think these will get you going.
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Damn..I just been slime by a troll....Yes...a good read....Before your time though, Rookie or whatever you pose to be....
Back to training and less on here....
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I was wondering the same. But maybe it is because B.J. took the time to list a chunk of books and before his effort was acknowledged, you posted another one.
B.J. am I right?
Thanks, Chris
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jd, I have had a good bit of private dialogue with you regarding the crate training stuff. You have always been respectful and appreciative.
Maybe a public "thanks" next time before the next question would avert the slime declaration.
I really don't know. I'm just guessing.
I have a hard enough time figuring out what I'm thinking, let alone what someone else is!
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