Training should start as soon as you get a puppy. Doc has great advice if you are training a dog for the first time. My only suggestion is that typically before working a dog on hunting or retrieving training I would suggest accomplishing good ole obedience type training. When you can get your pup to completely understand and respond to "sit" "stay" "come" and especially "no", you will have at least the basics tostart a dogs education process. You can start this level of training as soon as thepup comes home.... just cut them a littleslack, they are after all just pups!