New lab pup
 

My wife and son have talked me into getting a lab. We have our eyes set on a Yellow Male.

Now...this dog will be a family dog first. BUT..i would like to train him as best as possible for upland bird hunting. I havent hunted in a few years.Butnow that i am done with school and more settled in, i am hoping to get back into it, probably next year.

Is it possible to have a good family dog that is also a good field dog? What books should i get?

thanks for the help..

Forgot to mention...i have had 2 labs and a brittany so i do have some experience raising dogs. This will be the first time with a family and children though.

RE: New lab pup
 

I will say, heck yes it is possible to have a family dog and one fantastic field dog to boot.

I use the book called the Water Dog by Richard Wolters? the last name slips me.
Max my lab loves to hunt and he isour family dog also, everyone helps with his training, and he makes sure someone every day retreives with him.

RE: New lab pup
 

Yes it is possible to have a great hunting dog that is a great family dog. I've seen more "kennel" dogs run the other way when it comes time to hunt. A dog kept in contact with the family is more calm and much more willing to do anything you ask because he is much more committed to you than one you just leave outside or alone until season comes up. The suggestion of the book on your prior message is an excellent book for training, and yes, he got the last name right.

RE: New lab pup
 

You will likely have a much better hunter if you raise it as one with your family. Establish yourself as the boss at an early age, make sure your family is consistent with your training and your bond with the dog will pay big dividends in the field. I'd recommend the book "Gun Dog" by Richard Wolters if your intention is upland game. Labs can be a high energy dog, might test your patience in the house til they mature a little. One of my sons has a female Yellow Lab, is a real sweetheart in the house once she settles down. Good luck...

RE: New lab pup
 

all good info, cant offer much more than i like TAPES not BOOK.i hate reading.

basic training is all that is needed,make sure he listens to you.

get him use to kennel in your truck, not in front seat.

get him around birds ,YEAR ROUND.

RE: New lab pup
 

We went and picked him up yesterday. He is nine weeks old. AKC etc etc. I dont really care about filing all that paperwork.

His dad is a hunting dog and his grandad was some famous field dog. Cant remember his name. His mom was more of a "Show" dog.

RE: New lab pup
 

Good looking pup.
Get on a good sequential training program like the Smartwork series of books/DVD's, by Graham-- or in a pinch the "10 Minute Retriever" by the Dahl's.


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RE: New lab pup
 

It might be a couple of weeks before i can get one of the books. What should i work on first? So far, i have just been walking him on a leash and making him heel and stay by my side. We are also crate training and house training.

RE: New lab pup
 

Wait for the book ! ! !
You're already getting the cart before the horse.
When you get the book, follow it page by page and chapter by chapter with NO skipping around.

I hope you don't mind my asking, but what kind of health clearances do the parents of your pup have?


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RE: New lab pup
 

Doc E. I will wait for the book. Thank you for the tip. As far as health clearances go, i am not sure what you mean. He has had his first two series of shots, been dewormed, and dewclawed. Both parents were on site. Dad was yellow, and mom was black. Both dogs were very well behaved and very healthy. There were no signs of hip diplasia(sp?) etc...

Is there something i should be worried about?

RE: New lab pup
 

1. Good. Training a dog is not a race. Just spend time now, bonding with the pup and going for daily walks -- preferably out in fields, forests etc.

2. Here is a list of the most common genetic tests currently recommended for Labradors (on the parents):
OFA on Hips (some folks also do OFA elbows)
CERF (eye exam from a Vet Opthalmologist)
PRA (blood test for Progressive Retinal Atrophy)
CNM (centro nuclear myopathy)
EIC (exercise Induced Collapse)

3. There is only one way to see if a dog has dysplasia or not and that is with xray, so unless you have xray vision, you don't know.

4. All of the above


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RE: New lab pup
 

one that i see most is HIPS.

i talked to vet and he says,MOST OF THIS CAN BE AVOIDED IF ONLY WEIGHT WAS KEPT OFF DOG.even if dog has the heridity thing.

women will make dogs FAT,i said that not vet.;)

i give my dog a pill a day of COSQMAIN which is glusomine stuff for his joints.

tobys joints CLICK on the front joint near his paw,i guess you could call it his WRIST.

that stuff stops clicking and if i dont use it, HIS WRISTS CLICK.:eek:

RE: New lab pup
 

I just can't imagine why anyone would recommend Wolters books, THEY SUCK! Do do yourself a favour a get a good training book or DVD. Wolters is the worst training reference out there bar none. Personally I like the Lardy manuals. And the Jackie Mertens DVD "Sound Beginnings" is a must.

RE: New lab pup
 

i cant stand most of books,i cant seem to learn.

but give me tape or dvd, sproul is one happy camper.

RE: New lab pup
 

Heck Yes. Hunting for a dog is like little league, gymnastics or dance for a child. Hunting is what a dog wants/likes to do because its fun for them. My hunting dogs primary purpose is to be a furry cuddle bear for my wife, which he does quite well. He loves children and playing with other dogs and retrieving socks from the laundry basket. But hunting is a big fun game for him and it adds so much to his life I started bird hunting because my dog wanted to, he lives a great life.

Hunting is what your dog wants to do. Being the family pet is also what your dog wants to do. Getting to do both is priceless in his eyes.

RE: New lab pup
 

I used Retriever Training for the Duck Hunter by Robert Milner. It goes step by step and always works for me. There are other great books too which will be helpful because sometimes it takes a different idea to train a dog.

But a lab should retrieve from the start, just do not do too much, sitting to get food is also easy to train. Making it heel at this point seems a bit early to me butI think it is something that is mandatory in dog training.

I think the key is to never give a command you are not in a position to enforce such as calling for a dog when they are not on a lead and can run away.

But this book and many others push that you keep the dog in the house because it makes for a tighter bond as well as in a sense allows you to train them every day.

RE: New lab pup
 

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RE: New lab pup
 

I believe that before you breed dogs there are genetic test done so that you are not passing on bad genes. I believe hip, joints and eyes are all tested for in labs.

RE: New lab pup
 

I also use Cosequin DS for the joints along with vitamin E. Helps my lab out and you can notice the difference.

RE: New lab pup
 

yes,use ESTER C,i take a pill cutter and cut a 500 gram one in half,thats 250.

too much C will cause diareaha:(