Should I get the literature before the dog?
 

Still looking for the right thing to do. I want a dog but haven't choosen an approach yet. What is the best approach to get this thing started right. I want this dog to be a family member and the most well trained animal I have had yet.

I have had animals in the past. Some have been the best trained dog's and some have been absolute failures. I just want this one to be perfect!!

RE: Should I get the literature before the dog?
 

bobo - The first thing you need to do is select a breed. If it is to be a family member, then your selection process should start there. Next, determine what you would like this dog to do. Do you need a hound? A bird dog? A waterfowl retriever? Will you need the dog to perform two of these duties? All three? After you've determined your use (and please, be honest with yourself here) for the dog, begin narrowing down your selection based on the ability of the breed to quickly become a member of the family.

Buy a good book about training the type of dog you have, and stick with it. Some trainers with years of experience can mix and match different techniques based on the needs of individual dogs, but 90% of us are best served by sticking to one method.

Have patience, and don't forget to reward and love your pup every chance you get. It is a heck of a lot easier to train a dog by rewarding proper behavior than it is to correct mistakes.

Good luck!

RE: Should I get the literature before the dog?
 

I have already chosen a breed. See previous post.

Thanks for the information. So stick to one type of training found in a book?

RE: Should I get the literature before the dog?
 

I have no idea which "previous post" you are talking about, but if you're getting a Retriever breed, the best books out there are "Smartworks I" and "Smartworks II" by Evan Graham.

RE: Should I get the literature before the dog?
 

Thanks doc e

RE: Should I get the literature before the dog?
 

Is there a book second best I assume that I can get local? I would like to get something that is not mail order that I can picup soon.

Thanks
Jason

RE: Should I get the literature before the dog?
 

i prefer to read as much as i can get my hands on and use methods from all as i go. you can't have too much knowledge

RE: Should I get the literature before the dog?
 

Ditto to what t-roy said. I have Smartwork by Graham, 10 Minute Retriever by Dahl, and Tri-Tronics. Plus three others that I don't care for.

RE: Should I get the literature before the dog?
 

10-minute retriever is a good book for starters. But like others said, get your hands on as much info as possible

RE: Should I get the literature before the dog?
 

Well I bought a feww this weekend and they don't have good time lines. Like what to start training first IE the dogs name, or what general commands to teach first.

I picked up these two books off hand.

Training Your Labrador Retriever by September B. Morn copyright 1999
Your Lab's Life by Virginia Parker Guidry copyright 2000