Hello, i'm looking for a board and train retriever trainer for my 8 week old lab pup in NY or the northeast. My primary focus is first on obedience. Thanks!
Obedience Trainer Recommendation in NY Area
johnsmith582
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Hello, i'm looking for a board and train retriever trainer for my 8 week old lab pup in NY or the northeast. My primary focus is first on obedience. Thanks!
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do you have his website? Can't find him on the forum
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Good question. I think that having a board and train could perfect training during the imprinting stage. I'm at an amateur level of training knowledge and I dont want to mess up anything. I guess working with a local trainer could work also
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Au contraire - ain't how it works with retrievers - or any gundog. Bonding is all about vis-a-vis, you and the pup, you as numero uno in the nipper's eyes.
"NY area" covers a lot of ground, if you specify a county, borough or watershed (or Central Park - beg pardon, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis reservoir) you might well find a training group or retriever club that will welcome you and your pup and help you hands' on with training (but not bonding with) your pup.
Good luck,
MG
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Thanks! Albany, NY I should’ve been more specific but im willing to drive 4 ish hours.
any training videos that you recommend. I know that smart works is an option.
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May be able to knock 3 ish hours off your willingness by pointing you in the direction of Little Falls. Look up Glory Lane Hunting Dog Training Grounds on Facebook, IM them and ask for any puppy guidance or training help in y'all's area, and next year when your pup's of age (6+ months), you can get in with some like-minded folks and have a training day out at our Glory Lane friends' retriever and gundog training spot upstate. All starts with making contact, though - sooner the better. They've also got some short puppy videos on their FB site too.
One other question - no need for specifics, but when you got your pup, what did the breeder say about getting help on training it? Again, no need for specifics, but is the pup from performance (field-bred) lines?
And again, good luck.
MG
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Thank you for the response! Ill be sure to look them up. Yea the pups parents are both MH. I found another breeder that offers 3 weeks of initial training so pickup would be at 11 weeks.
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Your puppy - and your coin - but 99.9% of the retriever community would JUST SAY NO.
MG
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There is a big (let me emphasize that in capital letters - BIG) risk in putting a pup under the age of 4 months with a trainer - it's called 'parvo'.
I have taken on pups for training at this age (few years ago) and the worry I had over a pup getting sick from parvo or distemper or ???? really was more than I wanted to deal with... This is why many trainers/boarding facilities won't take pups on until they are through with their vaccinations.
If you do find someone to take on your pup, ask if they've ever had a parvo case on their grounds or in their kennel. Ask how they decontaminate/clean. Ask where they take pups for training away from the facility.
and get LOTS of references.
my take on the matter.
I have taken on pups for training at this age (few years ago) and the worry I had over a pup getting sick from parvo or distemper or ???? really was more than I wanted to deal with... This is why many trainers/boarding facilities won't take pups on until they are through with their vaccinations.
If you do find someone to take on your pup, ask if they've ever had a parvo case on their grounds or in their kennel. Ask how they decontaminate/clean. Ask where they take pups for training away from the facility.
and get LOTS of references.
my take on the matter.
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Thats an extremely good point! With regards to parvovirus, do you allow your pup to walk around public parks, Home Depot, etc? How can I safetly socialize my pup with any risk?
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I tell folks who buy pups from me - lowes and home depot are ok. Put the pup in the shopping cart and go. No go on public parks, dog parks, pet stores, gas stations.
There will always be risk no matter what. Some people go to the extreme and simply don't take their pup anywhere. But I tend to lean more toward socializing with minimal or lower risk options.
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That's an extremely good point!
How do you know that parvo is or isn't where you are or anywhere else ? Vaccs clear , vet info. ..Big bad world .
personally, home depot or public parks are the last place for any puppy to learn socialization with 'YOU' . Safely or otherwise. personally 8 weeks old is too young to leave the nest anyway, but that's just me ! Caveat being , only for my pups that I have bred . lolx ..There are probably more risks to worry about than who or what or where or when , the list would be endless, so don't ask.
A finished dog that has already been trained to be what a person want's them to be is an option , well, hey they train Dogs for the future blind owner and they become lovely adorable companions for life !
But, you just skip out on all the puppy stuff, like chewing the furniture , and crapping on the carpet
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one person's socializing is another persons 'exposure' ---- I think it is extremely important for puppies to be exposed to many things. Pubs, for example? LOLThat's an extremely good point!
How do you know that parvo is or isn't where you are or anywhere else ? Vaccs clear , vet info. ..Big bad world .
personally, home depot or public parks are the last place for any puppy to learn socialization with 'YOU' . Safely or otherwise. personally 8 weeks old is too young to leave the nest anyway, but that's just me ! Caveat being , only for my pups that I have bred . lolx ..There are probably more risks to worry about than who or what or where or when , the list would be endless, so don't ask.
A finished dog that has already been trained to be what a person want's them to be is an option , well, hey they train Dogs for the future blind owner and they become lovely adorable companions for life !
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For sure !! You wouldn't want them running around spilling all the beerone person's socializing is another persons 'exposure' ---- I think it is extremely important for puppies to be exposed to many things. Pubs, for example? LOL
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Ah Ha!
So.... you do not have the pup yet.
Well in my opinion instead of buying a puppy and sending it away for half a year. You should simply buy a started dog. There are a cluster of fresh ones for sale right here on the page titled started dogs.
I think it would be a good choice for what you want to do.
Ken
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Haha u caught me I shouldve said future 8 week old lab. I will say my neighbor has an 11 week old lab that went through 3 weeks of training from the breeder although the pups bloodline is from the English show breed. This all stirred up my curiosity. As for started dogs, how will the “bond” be between me and the started dog vs a pup i train and me?
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It will be fine.
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I have sold a few started dogs - never had an issue with the dog not bonding with the new owners or adjusting to its new life.
If the breeder wants to keep back the pup til 11 weeks of age (I'd assume for a fee), that isn't such a big deal either. I bought Smarty and asked the breeder to keep her til she was 13 weeks - they charged me extra, but it saved me from flying from AK to WI and then turning around and driving from AK to MO a month later, when we moved.
The primary focus of an 8-16 week old pup should be less about obedience and more about exposure to the world around it, learning how to learn - how to problem solve. How to get along in its new human led environment.... basic things like not nipping, not jumping up, crate training, developing prey drive, etc etc. Pat Nolan has some great stuff on puppy training.
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