Old dog...new tricks?

20 Fan · 09-15-2005, 10:49 AM

How good are the possibilities of taking an older lab (1 1/2 years) with virtually no training and creating a good waterfowl retriever? Consider the dog has good lineage (parents/siblings are good working dogs), is fairly well socialized, and is not gun shy. All opinions appreciated!

x-mountie · 09-15-2005, 11:45 AM

Fan: I was given a 2 yr old male black lab. Had him trained, and in 2 months i had a fantastic gun dog !! He and i hunted together for 11 yrs. He was the best hunting partner i ever had !!

At 1 1/2 yrs he is not old - and believe me, at least in my experience, you may wind up with a fantastic partner !!! Give it a try !!!

Mite · 09-15-2005, 08:53 PM

20 Fan

You have a good startif he isn't gunshy.OB classes will do. At 1.5 years, he is still a puppy. A tad late in field training but he's still at an age where he is very trainable. Alot ofprofessionals I talk to will only accept dogs that are atleast one year of age. Get a good book and enjoy your dog.

20 Fan · 09-16-2005, 08:19 AM

Thanks for the info, guys. I suspected as much, as I've had good luck training older pointing dogs. However, this is my first time with a retreiving breed, and like to research before jumping in. Will keep you posted on the progress. Also, any recomemdations on a good retriever training book? Thanks again, and good luck to you both this upcoming waterfowl season.