My lab is now 5 1/2 months old. She is doing very well in training. My question is should i let her socialize with the other "non-hunting" dogs in the community? Does this hurt her training? I know she loves to go and play with the other dogs but I feel like she gets to much out of control when there are other dogs around. Just wanted to see what others have done about this. thanks.

Legacy, I am sure you will hear some different opinionshere.first let me say that I am not a professional trainerand can only post based on my limited experience. I would not worry about playing with other dogs having any effect on the training. My pointer can get pretty crazy when playing with other dogs, but when he is in a hunting situation he knows that the fun and games are over. In fact he hates hunting close to any other dogs that are in the field. You could say he is kind of an independent hunter. I would make sure you never let him play with another dog immediately before/after training or hunting, and this should be enough to keep him from mixing the two together. My dog (now 1 y/o) has learned that there is a time for play, but he has realized that when in the field that he is working.

My dog is the same way. She enjoys playing but in the field would rather run and search for birds. She doesn't mind other dogs but she will ignore them.

Is this being done while under supervison? Or is she loose while your away or in the house?. Hopefully you have here in a kennel when you arn't able to see her.

yes she is in the kennel from 8-12, i come home for lunch and play a little then kennel from 1-4 or 5. Yes i take her over to the dog park and she goes and plays with her buddies. she doesn't listen to many commands when she is over there though.

You need to join a Hunting Retriever Dog Club. Excellent socialization for both the dog and you, great people, great dogs, great training help (free).
There are NAHRA (North American Hunting Retriever) Clubs all over VA.
There are clubs in Manassas -- Fredricksburg -- Port Republic -- Midland -- Stevinsnville and Mollusk.

Go to www.nahra.org and click on "Clubs" for complete contact information. VA was the original home of NAHRA.


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I think you are answering your own question. If she is blowing you off, that is not good. Like anything, you must teach her how to behave around other dogs or she will decide it for herself.

Personally, I would avoid the dog park firstand take the dog for a long walk or run (I have found that if I ride my bike and make the dogs heel next to me, it gives them an excellent workout in about forty minutes). After you take the edge off with a run, take her to the dog park, keep her on a long lead, and show her how you expect her to behave around other dogs. Again, if you don't, SHE will decide how she will act, and you are just buying trouble.

At 5-6 months old, I personally would not worry about it. I've been taking my dog out to the local dog park everyday since she was 3 - 4 months (when they get their last shots). Socialization is good for the dog's behavior and it hasn't blunted any hunting abilities on my dog. In fact I do yard training at the dog park (and elsewhere) just to let her know that I will callupon her anytime anywhere. But I gradually built up the pressure. She a year old now and has progressed to where I like her to be.

What I normally do now is switch from different parks. There is a open park that has alot of dogs and there's a wooded park with alot of trails, water, and ducks. If I notice that she gets bored at the open park, I take her tothe wooded one where she'll point ducks which she also loves.Then I'll switch to theopen park where she can run with her friends.

As your dog gets older you can start putting more pressure on them. Some it takes 9 months, some up to two years as it really depends upon your dog. Learn to read your dog! Know when to lay off training, know when to apply alittle more pressure. I put a ecollar on my dog when she was 10 - 11 months old. That has made a tremendous difference. At the open park I don't need it but at the wooded one I may reminder her she is still under control as she doesn't like to quit.

So, no I don't think dog parks are bad at all. Let your pup be a pup. Don't expect your pup come running to you at 6 months of age everytime. You want to slowly apply pressure to your yard training. At the end of playtime (and before), spend alittletime yard training. Gradually increase the time and the pressure. If your pup does it well, then reward them and let them play alittle more.