Training for Pointing Labs

DUCKSTAMPEDE · 11-22-2004, 01:13 PM

In my life I have never had a retriever-seems I have always had dogs but they mostly have been compromises with the wife and kids. Now that our old and very rare dog (WalMart Parking Lot type) is moving toward her twilight and the kids are gone from home-the next one is of my chosing. I have already decided on a PL as I love the lab and having one that points as well is almost too good to imagine. That said I have never had the privilege of training a true hunter. I trained an airdale/german shepherd to flush and retrieve and I trained a black\tan coonhound/Heinz57 to flush but nothing else. I have ordered all three of the Graham books plus the Dahl book so am preparing in that fashion. Now I need advice on the training collars. Do you use them? If so to what extent? Will the Graham books teach the use of hand signals as well as oral commands? Any help would be greatly appreciated for this novice.

losthwy · 11-22-2004, 02:33 PM

A good tool if you know how to use it. A good tool to ruin a dog if you don't. Everybody I know who use E-Collars uses some model of Dogtra or Tri-Tronics. You might want to get Paul and Julie Knutson's book "The Pointing Labrador" as well.

Flairball · 11-22-2004, 02:51 PM

Why are you going to waste your time on a pointig lab? The real beauty of Labs and Spaniels is that they do the work for you. Wouldn't you rather have a dog indicate it is making game, and then flush it while you are standing where you can easily shoot from? The pointing lab thing is just another case of Americans ruining dog breeds. Labs are great dogs, and easy to train without introducing the pointing aspect of training. Do yourself a favor, and stick with a regular flushing Lab. You will find the training goes smoother, and before you know it you'll be hunting over the dog. In case your wondering, I have both a Springer, and an English Setter. I'm pretty sure this will be my last pointing dog, not that he isn't good, but flushing dogs just make for more enjoyable hunting.

mrfritz44 · 11-22-2004, 03:19 PM

The folks over at pointinglabs.com may be able to help you. So far I've found them to be constructive and helpful.

DUCKSTAMPEDE · 11-22-2004, 03:44 PM

Any help on where I can get the Knutson book?

losthwy · 11-22-2004, 04:40 PM

I believe I got mine from Amazon.com. You can also try a Google search.

mrfritz44 · 11-22-2004, 05:10 PM

http://www.bn.com - Barnes and Noble's site. I got it 2 days from ordering and started it this evening. Some good tips so far and one of the books that was recommended to me by almost everyone who has a PL.

DUCKSTAMPEDE · 11-22-2004, 06:21 PM

Did some checking and Overstock.com had the Knutson book for $14.69 so ordered one from there.

Thanks

Doc E · 11-22-2004, 07:07 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Flairball

1. Why are you going to waste your time on a pointig lab?

2. The real beauty of Labs and Spaniels is that they do the work for you.

3. Wouldn't you rather have a dog indicate it is making game, and then flush it while you are standing where you can easily shoot from?

4. The pointing lab thing is just another case of Americans ruining dog breeds. Labs are great dogs, and easy to train without introducing the pointing aspect of training. Do yourself a favor, and stick with a regular flushing Lab.

5. You will find the training goes smoother, and before you know it you'll be hunting over the dog. In case your wondering, I have both a Springer, and an English Setter. I'm pretty sure this will be my last pointing dog, not that he isn't good,

6. but flushing dogs just make for more enjoyable hunting.

1. Please explain.

2. So do Pointing Labs.

3. Or would you rather have a dog go on point, so that you can get prepared for the shot prior to the flush. There is a definite thrill in a flush, but ther is also a definite thrill in seeing a dog staunch on point.

4. How has this ruined a breed?

5. How many PLs have you trained so that you know that "the training goes smoother"? I have trained Flushing Labs as well as Pointing Labs.........And you have trained....?....?

6. Enjoyable hunting is hunting behind whatever type of dog you enjoy most. I love Flushers, I love Pointers. I have hunted for nearly 50 years behind both (how long have you hunted over either?). At this point in my life my preference is a PL.

mrfritz44 · 11-23-2004, 06:08 AM

From what I understand, a PL first points, then flushes on command. Is that a correct assumption? Couple this with their ability to stay in the house and be great with my kids and it was a no brainer for me. It seems to me that the PL is capable of a controlled flush which would be more desirable anyway, correct?

If the dog still retrieves, which PL's do, then what I think is being bred is a lab that's got more versatility and all of the same traits that made labs great in the first place. I could see the arguement against them if one of the historical traits suffered due to their new tendencies, but from what I've read (yes, only read) so far is that that doesn't happen.

DocE.......can you confirm this for me?