I think you'll find very easy and useful info from Richard Wolters books, Game Dog, Water Dog. It is a great start, there are many books out there. I liked how straightforward it was. I would also advise you to look on the net at AKC and United Kennel Club retriever training groups. I prefer the UKC because it trains more toward the average hunting expectations placed on a retriever. To be around such a wealth of dog training regarless of which group you contact will only help you train your dog. Get the books first, don't get too caught up on the timing that Wolters talks about. Take it at your own pace. Good luck.