I am looking to train Mongo about a year and a half old Yellow Lab for reteaving. He is just going to do geese and duck. Mongo we resuced a little over a year ago now and last year was just building up a lot of trust. It took almost a month to get him to go into the water. Now he loves it. Also last year I bought some foam dummies and he did great with them.
In about a month I am going to take him to a basic training class just to get him a bit more sharp on the basics. It seems his first owners did a great job of training him, but with his 2nd and 3rd owners not taking care of him he lost a few things and got a few bad habits. Just to give you an idea all 3 of those owners were in his first 10 months of living.
Well anyways I am new to hunting and so is Mongo. I would like to get a good book that will help me train him to be a good retreaving dog. He will have to do swamp, ponds, and creaks.
The biggest thing he has to get down is heal, stay, and come. These he is not consitant on. Just when I play ball with him or do the dummies in the pond he does not want to stay by me he want to get in that water befor the duck fall. When he gets the duck he comes to edge of the pond to me but he tries to keep the duck away from me. He does not play tug of war because if I get my hand on the duck or him and say release he does but he like to play keep away. I think the night class for a few weeks will help this out a lot.
But back on track what books would you say for me to get and read and use? I am a begginer at this to so I do not want to get in over my head and screw up my dog. I want a good starter book and then work up. I am willing to work with Mongo for years just to get him good, and this first season I am more worried about him acting safe in the feild them if he losses a bird.
Thanks for your help,
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First time hunting, and have to say kicking myself for not starting sooner. Those ducks, geese, and deer better watch out for my 870.
Starter Book = "10 Minute Retriever" by John and Amy Dahl
Then go to "Smartwork for Retrievers" by Evan Graham
If you're foing to Force Fetch, get "Smartfetch" (also by Graham)
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Ignorance can sometimes be cured, but stupid is forever.
Doc E &
HR UH MHR WR SR Black Forest Casey &
HRCH HR UH Sauk River Friar Tucker (titled at 12.5 months)
What training book or books do I need to get?
