training pups

jip40 · 03-09-2005, 07:27 AM

i just got my new lab pup and was wondering at what age i should start training her(she's 9 weeks now)

drfatguy · 03-09-2005, 07:50 AM

What do you mean by training? What tape or book are you going to use? These are the questions you need to answer before I can say... Now.

Dr Fatguy

Doc E · 03-09-2005, 08:19 AM

"Pre-school" begins the day you bring them home. Then it's on to un-enforced training. At about 5 months or so, you get into enforced training.
BUT , as drfatguy said, you need to be on a modern sequential training program, so I will ask the same question again ---- What training program are you following?

jip40 · 03-09-2005, 09:39 AM

any suggestions for a book/training program would be welcome

drfatguy · 03-09-2005, 09:58 AM

I like James B Spencer's Retriever Training for Meadows and Marshland. I also like the tapes and books by George Hicoxx. I love Mike Pinds tapes, but they are slightly out dated. Find a program you can live with and go for it. Your library might have some training tapes. Labs are the most popular breed so many librarians do stock an assortment of books and tapes.

Dr Fatguy

PS Don't discount Spencer's Hup. Even though it's spaniel training all info can be used to train an excellent retriever.

Doc E · 03-09-2005, 06:53 PM

Marshes and Meadows is good, but my favorites are:
1. For a FINE Hunting Companion, it's hard to beat the "10 Minute Retriever", by John and Amy Dahl.
2. For the ULTIMATE Hunting dog as well as a dog that can compete (and do very well) in Field Tests, go with "Smartwork for Retrievers", by Evan Graham. For advanced work, there is also a "Smartwork" (vol 2) -- and if you're going to Force Fetch your dog, there is also "Smartfetch".

If you want to read about the books, go to www.rushcreekpress.com -- if you want to buy the books, go to www.coonriverkennels.com

jip40 · 03-09-2005, 06:59 PM

i appreciate the advice