[ghoffman105]

My 8 mo YLM shows what I think is fair to good drive for scented paint roller and Wing on a String. (this is my first dog). In the house he retrieves both items well. I also have his remote sit then hide the item telling him to FIND. He gets excited and hunts/searchs well. However outside and with a EZ Rotational bumper he doesn't have the drive. I have tried the paint roller as well, but when tossed up in the air, out further he doesn't have the drive. He takes a couple steps then stops. If I run to it excitedly he races me and picks it up. I back up telling him to Come and praise him. Am I on the right track or not? Should I keep my g/f away from him. She plays fetch or Wing on a String to "tire" him out when I am at work. I am a 2nd shifter. Some suggestions are greatly apprechiated.

 

[Mark Littlejohn]

Wing on a string is a great game... if you're training a pointer. You're certainly not building retrieving confidence and drive this way or with "hide and seek".
Also with wing on a string, you're eliminating the need for him to focus at a distance and develop his marking skills.

You and the g/f both need to grab a book or DVD ASAP and get on a program.

 

[Trevor Toberny]

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he is 8 mo old? you are doing things with him that he should have done when he was 8 WEEKS. He should be marking at alot farther distances.Get Sound beginings by Jackie Mertens asap

 

[Angie B]

Hook up with a good training group or pro in your area. Your guy is a bit behind but he can catch up quickly. You need to practice marking him with distractions around. Try a wing clipped pigeon to get his prey drive going.... :wink:

Angie

 

[KNorman]

I agree you are a bit behind, but don't worry! You will both catch up soon 8)

Since this is your first dog, you may not know where to even look for a training group or pro.

I suggest that you look at the Hunting Retriever Club website for a local club. Another option is to see if you can locate a local AKC club. Either will suit your needs for getting your feet wet in the retriever training world.

A third option is that some of the kind forum members of RTF who are local to your area might give you some direction.

I think I would suggest starting out with a good book like "10 Minute Retriever" by John and Amy Dahl. It is NOT an advanced book, but it can get you started in the right direction. Also, "Sound Beginnings" by Jackie Mertens is supposed to be good (I have only heard about this on the 'Net)

Congrats on your first dog! Keep coming back, you are beginning a wonderful journey! 8)

 

[hhlabradors]

I agree you are a bit behind, but don't worry! You will both catch up soon 8)

Piece o' cake... Somewhere around here there is a thread on "how late is too late" and quite a number of people didn't really get their first dog started until much later. At least this pup is at an age where he is mentally and physically ready to get busy training. That's better than folks who push the puppies so hard and have totally unrealistic expectations.

you are beginning a wonderful journey! 8)

Ha! You are beginning a journey that's going to cost and arm and a leg, and take up all of your time, take up all of your storage space, and cause you to get dents in your head from banging it on the wall! :wink:

... where's the link to that "welcome" thread we had a while back where Ken Bora said (paraphrased) "Run Like Heck!" :wink: :wink:

But good luck anyway. You're in good company here at the asylum.

 

[ghoffman105]

Would like to say thankyou for the replies and that if anyone knows people around the 08332 zip (NJ), again I say thankyou.

When my pup was 16 weeks I was in touch with Bill Thompson. However he was South for the Winter. I recently left a Message since it is warming up and awaiting a return call. I did hook up with a retired pro, but a 80 mile one way drive maked it tuff, especially working weekends. My YLM at 5 mo did do about 20 Singles that day extending out to 100 yrds.

I have viewed alot of material, Sound Beginings, Fowl Dawgs 1, SmartFetch, Total Retriever Marking, Total E-Collar Conditioning, 10 Minute Retriever, SmartWorks ect. I have to agree that alot of the training I did was away from Marking and focused more on Obedience. I thought I diminished his Drive, that is why alot of the Wing on a String, Find. ect.

I have found it a little tuff training alone. I am not looking for FT or HT Champion, but mainly a hunting dog, upland, and I want to get into Waterfowl. Sounds like he can get back on track. Thanks again I apprechiate it.