Training Labs

[willbjew]

Ok I have 2 books on training labs.... Water dogs and 10 minute retreiver. I have a 8 week old yellow lab. I have been working on sit and he is catching on. I have a long lease 25 foot. I will through the duck wing and he will sit then go get it the he wont always bring it back he will some times sit down then sometimes run away so i give him a tug. What should i do i dont really want to buy anymore books. The 2 books contridict each other. So what should focus on. I am working on sitting....... whats next......... Stay heel ................... helllllpppppppppppppppppppppppppp

[j3k2c1]

Sorry man i'm in the same boat with my lab pup.

[BillDeLuc]

I have heard different things from different people, but I think the first command taught should be "come". Many other commands are kind of based off "come", and from a practical and safety aspect, you want your dog to come to you reliably as soon as possible. Also, don't let your pup get bored w/ fetching right now. I think it's ok to have him fetch a little (and keep it fun for pup for now) but master the basic obedience for now, everything else biulds off that.

[willbjew]

Yea i will work on that..... he is still catching on to his name......... he will sit sometimes when i am near but we willl keep on working .............

keep the susestions coming

[HikeNHunter]

Teach that pup manners first. Basic obedience is the most important thing right now. Put the wing away for now, and just play ball or throw canvass retriever dummies for him. make the retrieving a game for now. you can switch him to wings and bird scented dummies later. For right now he should be learning simple basic obedience ( COME, SIT, STAY, and HEEL.) Use his name to get his attention before giving a command. GOOD LUCK

[DrakeDawgs]

Will....you are getting way ahead of yourself. Don't worry about the pup being steady or delivering the wing to you. At this stage all you want to do is introduce the pup to birds...via wings or whatever you have. The dog has a natural retrieving instinct and the introduction to birds will bring that out. Instilling basic obedience is where you are and what you need to concentrate on...... Sit....Here....Heel...and Stay! Make you sessions short and fun for you and the pup. If you don't have the basics down you will be sorry down the road.

Have FUN and Good Training!

[whtelk]

Dont woory the pup is too young to expect a whole lot. I would just keep putting more time on sit , stay, come. the first pheasant my last lab got she was so excited that she was running in circles before she realized that she had to bring it to me.

[BillDeLuc]

Will - a simple thing to help pup learn his name - say his name, when he looks at you praise him and give a treat.