[DerbyDude]

I have a 5mo BLF that is scheduled to be dropped off for her gun dog coarse on May 11th. My concern is this (bare in mind this is my first Lab). I have been watching these forums trying to learn and understand different things about my pup. Anyhow, like I said, she is 5mo today and not loosing any teeth yet. If her teeth do not begin to fall out soon should I reschedule her training for a few weeks later? I know they start off with force breaking and I guess that is uncomfortable enough for the dog without having to worry about teeth at the same time. From what I have seen, from the time the first tooth falls out you need at least 3 weeks after that for the dog to get comfortable again?

Remember, I am new and still learning, be easy on me........

 

[Buzz]

I would talk to your trainer. I force fetched my first dog myself and I waited until he was 8 months before I started. I have a pup that I sent to the pro at 24 weeks. All her teeth were out, but some were still coming in. It didn't really matter, because the pro I sent her to felt that he should spend at least a month getting to know her and formalizing obedience before they started into FF. I thinkhe actually spent about 6 weeks before starting. I didn't mind him taking his time. My focus was getting it right, and we weren't looking at a short term thing. She will be in training until she is either washed out, or she becomes a finished, fully-trained retriever.

 

[blackpowder]

Call the trainer and explain the situation to him/her. Make the trainer aware of it and see what his suggestion is. There may be a month's worth of OB or CC that they can do in the meantime. You never know until you ask.

 

[DerbyDude]

I use Hightest retrievers here in Northern CA. My pup has already been there for her basic OB course. At $800 per month, I wanna make sure they will start right when I drop her off. I will call and ask today though.

Time for work

 

[blackpowder]

I use Hightest retrievers here in Northern CA. My pup has already been there for her basic OB course. At $800 per month, I wanna make sure they will start right when I drop her off. I will call and ask today though.

Time for work

In that case, I don't blame you

 

[Buzz]

Yup, good training isn't cheap. I looked at their programs on the internets. I am assuming (we know what that gets you) that your pup was there for the puppy head start 2 week program, as they state that the OB program is for pups 6 months and older. Yours is still 5 months.

There is a difference between teaching a dog commands and formalizing them with a choke collar and heeling stick. Before FF, OB should be rock solid. Think of formalizing OB as part of the FF package. Like I said, you should talk to these folks about the teething situation. I would do whatever they suggest. Whenever you bring the dog in, expect that they will start FF when they feel from their reading of the dog that it's ready.