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It has been years since I have trained a water dog and that was using the Wolters method. I now have a pup going on 10wks old and she is doing pretty good in the crate. She was doing little retrieves in the hallway but yesterday she would just run at the sock and not retrieve it. I know not to worry about that at this time but it got me to wondering what should I be expecting and the timeline to be expecting it?

Say for instance 10wk to 16wks? What should I be expected to see at a minimum and so fourth?

 

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I am not going to rush any thing though it would be great to hunt with her this coming fall but I just want a good dog. I don't feel the pressure now that I did with the Wolters method. I have the Wildrose DVD that was recommended to me and I also know a guy who runs a kennel about a half hour from me.

Any advice you wanna lay on me is cool. I just want to be patient and end up with a good hunting dog and companion.

 

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I am really enjoying her! I have a lab that I got in 2005 and due to a divorce and dealing with my Mom who suffered from Alzheimers I just could not put the time into her. She s a great family pet and could still probably learn to be a good duck dog but this pup kinda fell into my lap and I felt I was ready to start again. I miss all aspects of duck hunting and finally have enough down time to dedicate getting back into it. I am a little overwhelmed at all the training methods, e-collars etc that I basically know nothing about and that is what led me to here. I really want to learn and do her justice by giving her the proper training she will need in the field. Would love to dove hunt with her as well. I just got back from checking on her at lunch and making sure she had enough water. My wife is already in love with her as well.

 

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Thank you all for the advice. I hope to learn a lot from this place!

 

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There is much more, of course. But it's hard to tell where you really are with this pup. Have you been taking a methodical approach to any of these items?

Evan[/QUOTE]

Right now she is learning house manners. Getting her used to walking with me on the lead. Doing short retrieves. Taking her with me through the field near my house and walking her on and off lead in the yard with a few retrieves thrown in. That is about it at this time. Soon will be working on getting her to sit. She will be 10wks old this wk end.

 

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Just started Beginning Training for Your Retriever by Mike Mathiot and I like it.

 

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Backagain,

Please see your PM from me.

The dog pictured in the top left of this page was trained with Wolters and MIke Mathiot's old 3M video series. Mike's stuff is very dated. I would strongly suggest, that you look at some of the more modern training materials that are listed here. Is that Mathiot material on VHS, or did they actually make a DVD version of that stuff?

The one scene that stands out to me is the one where Mike's walking along with his dog and he wants to jump shoot the puddle ducks. He silently gestures to his dog to sit and stay. He sneaks up towards the water, crouching down and he takes his ballcap and spins it around backwards like a catcher. The birds explode off the water and he splashes one. He then calls his dog up and the dog makes the retrieve.

That one scene from his tape was such a motivator for me to want to train my own hunting lab that would handle.

Do you know the scene?

Good luck with your dog training. Chris

Got the PM and all is taken care of.

I do know that scene because I just watched it on my iMac yesterday. It is on DVD and I got it used for $9.00

I am going to end up buying every thing on training before it is over...lol....you should see my duck and goose call collection.

You all are great!

Thanks for all and any advice!