From your posts and emails, I thought I'd post here (for your's and maybe other's benefit). There's a progression of sequential training for your Labs that Point. Early on, and until the pup is 5 months old, there is virtually no enforcement of commands. A few exceptions are : Crate training, whining in the crate, biting, NO and a little "reeling in" for HERE. At 5 months, enforcement of OB commands begins.

Now to the real reason for this post. For the first 3 months (dog age) you do not worry about any pointing aspects (if the pup points-fine, if it doesn't point-that's fine too. Those pups are going to point, just don't worry about it yet). Also, if your pup isn't retrieving just yet DO NOT worry (it will be retreiving before long) As long as the "chase drive" is there, the retrieve will show up pretty soon) For the first 3 months, you want to show your pups the thrill of retrieving. Start out with having them retrieve a paint roller in a controlled environment (I prefer a hallway). Lots of leg patting and HERE. If they only chase the roller, pick up the pup and roller and take them back to your starting place and do it again -- shorten up the distance. Once the pup is bringing the roller back, HEAP on the praise - let the pup keep his prize for 10 - 15 seconds or so before you take it away, and blend in your GIVE command when you take the roller from them. If the pup doesn't want to give it up to you, just lift on the flap of skin on their outer belly, right in front of their hip (using your GIVE command) and they'll spit it right out. Only 3-4 retrieves twice a day. Always quit with the pup wanting more. After the pup is doing this well, then move to larger areas.

From 4 - 5 months, some of the beginning Pointing part starts (flyaway birds) (see the Knutson book), but only continues for a few weeks.........Then it's back to Retriever Training. Remember, these are Retrievers that Point, not Pointers that Retrieve. Later on, you'll get back into the finer points of Pointing. The sequence of events is very important. . . . . Puppy stuff-----> Retriever stuff-----> Pointing stuff-----> Retriever stuff----->Pointing stuff -----> Blending the two.

For now, follow the sequence in "Smartwork". Then at 4 months go to "The Pointing Labrador". Then at 5-6 months, back to "Smartwork", after that and ONLY after that do we get to the finer aspects of Pointing.

So first, you're going to bond with the pup and let it be a pup. Then you're going to show it the thrill and excitement of being a Retriever, then you're going to turn on the Pointing switch, then your going to turn your dog into a fine retriever, then you're going to turn your dog into a fine pointer, then you're going to blend the two aspects.
Your dogs are only going to be between fair and half-decent this next hunting season anyway (whether you go slow or rush), so...........................................By the 2006 season, they're going to be pretty darned good. They're going to be a lot better in 2006 if you take your time than they will be if you try to rush along.
Go slow -- Go slow -- Go slow..............................Did I mention Go Slow?

Doc....Just a quick question.....Should I go slow..??????.....Thing's really looked up today. Today was his first day of staying in the kennal, while myself and the wife were at work...When I got home, and saw how excited he was..we played for a short bit....then I threw 3 bumber's for him...the first 2, he went right after, but dropped them just before he got back to me....the 3rd one he ignored, so we quit, but gave him lot's of praise during the first 2.....Trust me...I've read up on this tranning tip's for so long now while waiting to be able to bring Tank home....and the one thing they really stressed was...."Go Slow"....let em be a pup first.... Tank's again for your help and advice Doc...

Wayne --- Don't worry about delivery to hand for another 6 months. Just be happy he is bringing it toward you. Dropping it is just fine at this stage.

Doc,

Thanks for the information. This definitely helps to put things in perspective. A pup is only a pup for a short time and I need to let him grow up and learn.

I'm amazed at how well he's adjusted. He's learning real quick which toys are his to play with.................and that he's not allowed to chew on my slippers, which seem to be his favorite!

He slept through the night last night without having to go out. So far he's only had two accidents in the house. We've been religiously taking him out when he wakes up from naps and after he eats. He's even gone to the back door and yipped to let us know he wants to go out. Housetraining is going real well..........so far!

I've been working with him twice a day, tossing a roller down the hallway, which is ~20 feet long. This morning he made 6 perfect retrieves, delivered to hand, and was real eager to keep going. I remembered what you said about stopping while they still wanted more and decided to quit until this evening.

Anyway, thanks again for the "calibration". Time to head to the "Lazy H".

Talk to you later!

P.S. I'll try and get some photos posted tonight.

Matt...It's almost like we have the same pup.....Tunk is sleeping all the way through the nite now also. We do 3 sesion's a day with retrive's, and he'll bring the roller back to hand every toss now...

1. ONLY 3 or 4 retrieves per session -- always leave them wanting more ! ! !
2. Where's da pics?

The 4th pup went to Spokane -- The Ehlers' are still deciding if they want to keep or want to sell the last female.

I really liked that last female...She's gonna make someone a great dog.....Have ya heard how Paul's pup is doing Doc..??

I haven't heard anything from Paul -- I'll email him tonight.