Dog Trainers
 

Posted this over in the Hunting Dog section of classifieds too. Appreciate your thoughts.

I picked up a black lab pup earlier this year from Deep Run Farms in Goldvein Virginia. At about 3 months of age, we sent him back for 2 weeks of obedience training and at the time, our intention was to send him back for another 6 weeks during july and August with the hope that he would be ready to at least get out a little this fall and winter (he was born in December 2007).

Well, things change and with the economy plummetting, I can no longer afford Deep Run prices. I still want to get him trained and was wondering if folks have good recommendations for trainers within a couple of hours of DC (Virginia, Maryland, PA etc).

Also, met with one guy this weekend who has come highly recommended to me, but my concern is that he keeps outdoor kennels. they have shade and water, but for a black dog, I'm not sure the extent to which I should be concerned with him sufferring from heat exhaustion or worse during a hot spell in August. Just how important is it to have a climate controlled kennel.

Thanks!

RE: Dog Trainers
 

As far as the heat is concern, I wouldn't worry about it IF as you say they have shade and water.

RE: Dog Trainers
 

join a local retriever club and train him yourself! You can do it! Heat kills! Watch your dog. I seen a dog convulse with heat stoke so please be careful. There is no need to push a dog in the heat. Plenty of water and shade is key!

RE: Dog Trainers
 

train lab yourself.
get tape on it if you are not good at reading book.

as for hunting, get dog around birds and they will learn.

labs are easy to train.

RE: Dog Trainers
 

Try training yourself, I did the training on my Lab by myself and using the book called the Water Dog.
I couldn't be more happier with theresults

RE: Dog Trainers
 

Oh ya the book titled "10 minute Retriever" should be in every lab owners library!

RE: Dog Trainers
 

I agree w/ the previous posts. I personally train my dogs myself, but I can understand if you don't have the time. If there's shade & fresh cold H20, no worries about overheating.

RE: Dog Trainers
 

really,all you need to train a dog is to listen TO YOU.
come when you call and to heal or sit when you want.

in woods hunting,he/she will learn to hunt.

most imporatant thing is to train the dog to come when you call.

my lab is not greatest hunter, real close but thats not important to me.

when hunting grouse/phesants he stays 20 yds in front of me and always is looking for me and comes when i call.

THAT IS ALL YOU WANT.

starts at home, you MUST become pack leader and train your dog to listen to you .

being a pack leader he/she will always be looking for you in woods.

if you let your dog become pack leader,you will be always be looking for your dog.:eek: