ORIGINAL: Firefighter194
Not really been in water yet, dont really have anywhere to take him...... Well that I know of. I'm new to my area. I had him down at the river the other day and I let him go out about 6 feet with a lead on but their was a lot of current and huge rocks so I didnt want to take him off lead. The only lake I know of was really low this past summer and full of weeds and stuff near the shore.... If I do find a place, how cold is to cold to let a lab in the water? I know, silly question but I just want to be safe with him...
I see what your saying about bad habbits with fetch. If I do get him to fetch, how hard is it going to be for me to eventually make him wait for a command before he takes off to get the ball / dummy / bird?
Dont take a young dog in water any colder than 55-60 ish. Anywhere in the 70's or high 60's is ok. The warmer the easier, because then you can get in comfortably too...
Not hard. If he has good OB, (stay). When you are going through the "Fetch" training process, there isa point after you have taught "hold" that the "Fetch" command changes the command to just "hold" the bird, to "reaching" for it. This would be where you start to toss the dummies again, toss a bumper, have him steady by your side, and call out "FETCH!" Then the dog should release and go to the bumper and come straight back, where you would say, "Drop!" In which said dog, drops the bird IN YOUR HAND. NOt on the ground...