Originally Posted by SwampCollie

Start him on loud noises immediately.... before you feed him... at each meal... pop a cap from a cap gun or bag a pot loudly etc etc. What this will teach him is that a loud noise means something good is about to happen.... at first... it will be food.... later on it will be a retrieve.

You won't be able to teach the dog too much until the dog is ready to be taught.... this might take a few days or a few weeks. You'll see what I mean when you try and take pup for a walk... he'll be a pain. Won't take to the lead at all.... he'll sit down and back up. Just let him tote it around a while. Sooner or later.... when he is chewing a toy or something... just test him... call his name out to him. One day before long, he will lift his ears up..... turn his head and look at you.... thats when he is ready to start learning for real.

If you don't have enough money to buy a book or training video... then you damn sure don't have enough for a dog. Work some overtime or sell something you don't need as bad. Training a dog is not difficult... if I can offer one solid bit of advice.... obedience and more obedience. Don't bend rules.... don't praise unless its earned... don't scold unless you catch him doing someting wrong and he KNOWS its wrong.