ORIGINAL: iloveto4x4innc
I just got a 4-5 mo. old lab pup from the shelter. When is a good time to start training her to retrieve? I'm already working on basic obediance training with her and she's doing really well. Can I work on obediance and retrieving at the same time? Who has some good books/vidoes on this? Is she too young yet for that kind of training? Thanks for the input.
Just start from the beginning (just like you would with a little puppy), and remember that pups have a very short attention span. Train UN-enforced puppy obedience (sit, come). Some "fun retrieves" are fine, but limit it to 3 or 4 retrieves -- twice a day, and I would definitely suggest using a puppy size dummy or paint roller instead of a ball. Always quit with them wanting more.
Get on a good training program and follow it page by page, chapter by chapter. Take it SLOWLY. For a good ol' hunting dog, get the "10 Minute Retriever", by John and Amy Dahl. For a truly superb hunting dog (that could easily do well in Hunt Tests) go with "Smartwork for retrievers" (vol I and Vol II) by Evan Graham.
Don't let your pup use training devices (like dummies) as chew toys.
NEVER let two dogs to go after something to retrieve at the same time -- ONE dog at a time ONLY.
Get a book or two ordered ASAP.