My new Dog

[daughenbaugh hunter]

OK gents before anyone laughs let me explain. Do to Gas prices i went out and got a dog 10 mos old chocolate lab. From a local kill shelter. Female, Now my ? is this. will it be easy for me to teach it to fetch dead birds? How do i train on command? She is very lovely dog and loves me follows me everywhere and took to me right away if i sit she lays besides me and wont move until i get up.
I think i made a great choice. But i really bought her for her breed and her looks. but i would really like to train her. i take her to the local fields and she likes to chase the birds i see now. but i only had her 3 days now, Please recommend advise Thank You

[Doc E]

You train the "older" dog exactly the same way you train a little puppy.
1. Get on a good, modern, sequential training program and follow it page by page, chapter by chapter.
2. Do Not Rush --- Properly training a dog isn't a race.

If you are a novice trainer, I'd recommend the "10 Minute Retriever", by John and Amy Dahl.
If you've had some experience, then definitely go with the "Smartwork" series of books and DVD's by Evan Graham.


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[daleh]

First take it to the vet and make sure it doesn't have heart worms. I have seen this too many times. Adopt a pet from the pound, take it home, kids and wife fall in love, Now it needs umpteen dollars spent for heartworm problems.
I hope you get lucky and everything is ok.

[Phil from Maine]

I agree with you dale about taking your pet to a vet for a check up on this stuff at least. That is why up here a breeder must obtain a permit from the state in order to sell a pup. Even then it is not fool proof but does help an awfull lot. Getting a permiot to sell a pup or bring it into this state for the purpose to sell requires all pups be vet checked before the sale of them.