wanting to train a pup for hunting..need advice

[Mignolafan]

Hey Board,

I'm new to the site. I'm looking into buying a lab pup to try and train myself. Anybody recommend what to look for in a pup? What is a good book to read to prepare with? Should I only consider buying a dog from a breeder or could I look at the pound?

Thanks,

[Doc E]

Have you ever trained any breed of hunting dog before?

Get the best dog (pedigree) that you can afford. At the end of 12 years, the expensive dog only costs you a couple cents a day more than the cheap dog. In fact, the cheap dog might end up costing you more in health relaed expenses.


.

[Mignolafan]

I do not have any trainingexperience. My wife and I have just bought our 1st house and it's got a decent size yard for a pup and our jobs are such that we have the evenings off. I figured that would lend itself to training. We could do some each evening.

[losthwy]

Sage wisdom from Doc E. The more your expectations for the dog the more it holds true. Don't try to "save" a few hundred on a dog, buy the best pedigree you can find. What to look OFA, CNM,and CERT in BOTH parents. Look for FIELD titles in the pedigree. Beware, "Champions" are commonly advertised and have titles such as CH (Bench Champion), if you want a good dog avoid them like polio. They'll claim they are "great hunting dogs" best thing since Lean Mac. What youARE looking in the pedigree are MH, QAA, AFC, FC, NFC. The more the better.

As for training material thereare Evan Graham's "Smartwork" series, Lardy's Vol I, (II, and III are much more advance). There are some decent books, but I would follow a complete program with flow charts like the Lardy or Graham. DVDs such as Jackie Merten's "Sound Beginnings" for the early training. There are video's on FF and CC. Seek out a local retriever club would be highly recommended. There are a couple of other sites that are retriever specific. www.refugeforums.com (Dog Forum) and www.retrievertraining.net

[camelcluch]

For refence try Robert Milner's Back to Basics book. Easy to read and follow. Good luck.

[Fieldmouse]

I highly recommend you read the book called "Water Dog" by Walters before buying your lab. I read many books before I bought my first lab and none made sense until I bought that book. I swear by it. I'm getting ready to buy another lab soon.

[HONKERS]

Most imporant goodlines....and a few DVD's and books and then thers Doc E when you get into trouble......Honkers