Any hope on training a 7 year old lab?

[GPMD]

Hi,

I am about to adopt a 7 year old black lab. The previous owners are moving and can't take the dog with them. The dog is very well behaved, walks off leash, heels, sit, stay, come, etc. I live on a huge farm and am an avid deer hunter. Even though I'm pretty much just taking the dog as a companion dog for hikes, and yard work and stuff, I figure maybe I can get him into some hunting thus adding some more seasons for myself

Right out my front door I have access to rabbit, squirrel, dove and geese. My question is, and i'm afraid I know the answer, does a 7 year old lab with no previous hunting experience have a chance at being trained? I will have plenty of time to work with him too. If anyone has any suggestions or can recommend training websites, books or videos, it would be soooo much apprecitated!!! Thanks for any help!

[eelriver]

Most people will tell you no. It's not that an older dog can't learn, but it often takes more time than it's worth. Be happy with a great companion and don't expect too much of a hunter.

[EODLT]

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: Depends on what your going to try and train him for... Retrieves, tracking, trailing, pointing, walking upright, etc.

If your going to have a retriever, I would recommend SmartFetch by Evan Graham or Total retriever by Mike Lardy, (who we all know handled Lean Mac for a couple years).

The most challenging part of an old dog is the habits. You have to "Force Break" almost all of their old "bad" habits, simply because they dont know any different. Thats very slow, very repetitive process, it could easily be a year before you have the dog where you want them. If the dog already has solid OB, it should help give you a platform to work from.

You may figure out that the dog is going to do what you want with very minimal training.. Or that you may never get what you want from the dog, in that case, just enjoy the good times you have with your "pet" and get yourself a puppy or a started dog for your Hunting.