Casey IS going to be a daddy
 

I just got an email from "Lily's parents" -- They just had an ultrasound done on her and she has a minimum of 6 pups -- possibly as many as 10.

RE: Cassey IS going to be a daddy
 

John sent me an e-mail Doc...asked me what I wanted...a male, or female. Told him I had no preferance...and wanted you to help me pick it out.

RE: Cassey IS going to be a daddy
 

Keep us updated, cuz I want a CIGAR!!!;)

RE: Cassey IS going to be a daddy
 

I don't think that the sex of a dog is a big deal. You do need to remember that when a female is in heat, their brains kind of fall out for about 3 weeks or so. And, of course, they always seem to want to come into heat right during an important training period or hunting season [:o] Then, on the other hand, males "are always in heat" ;)

When the pups are 5 weeks old and again at 6 weeks old, you and I will go out and do a little "puppy testing" (and look at which ones will likely be pointers and which ones are more likely to be flushers). You do kind of need to make a decision on sex pretty soon though -- John will need to base deposits and "pick order" pretty soon.

Are you going to look for a Flusher or a Pointer? Be aware that Pointing dogs take almost twice as much training time as flushers do, and bird introduction at the proper age (about the first of June for this litter) is very important, which is no big deal -- 'cause we got lots of training birds.

BTW, we're leaving town today, and will be back on the 16th.

RE: Cassey IS going to be a daddy
 

Hey Doc....Just recieved an e-mail from John....said I had first pick...:D

RE: Cassey IS going to be a daddy
 

Well Diane and myself went over to John & Donell's home to got to meet Lily..Beautifull Lab, with a great disposition..Gave them money for a pup..:)....Now the big.."WAIT"

RE: Cassey IS going to be a daddy
 

Are you thinking that you will want one that points or one that flushes?

RE: Cassey IS going to be a daddy
 

been thinking maybe a pointer Doc..

RE: Cassey IS going to be a daddy
 

Cool -- I just want you to be aware that training a PL takes about twice as much time (the first year) as training one that flushes -- after the first year, the training time (tune-ups) are the same for either variety.

If you are going to get one that is inclined to point, then you need to order (NOW) a book called, "The Pointing Labrador", by Paul and Julie Knutson -- check to see if amazon.com has it -- I **think** they might have a special on it now.

No matter which variety you want, you also need to get "Smartwork" (and "Smartfetch")
by Evan Graham -- check amazon for prices as well as the prices at www.coonriverkennels.com IF you are thinking that you *might* want to run the pooch in Field Tests, then you also need to get "Smartwork" (vol. II). If it's not going to be a Field Test dog, then "Smartwork" (I) will be all ya need -- but my hunch is that once you see how smart and easily tranable these pups are going to be, you might think about Field Tests as well (that's what happened to us and Casey) -- it's certainly your choice.

RE: Cassey IS going to be a daddy
 

I'm partly ahead of ya Doc...lol...I already orderd "The Pointing Labrador", by Paul and Julie Knutson , and also the "10 minute Retriver you've talked so much about...Guess I'll have to order the other book's you've suggested. I know that it's going to take a comitment to trainning, but I'm excited about it, and have a new desire..:D..Thank's for all your help Doc.....sure hope you'll be available for ton's and ton's of Question's once I get started...That first 6 month's I know is going to seem to take forever before we can start formal trainning...

RE: Casey IS going to be a daddy
 

Doc E-I had to drop out of the Casey-lily derby. Had some work related things come up and wouldn't be able to train until early next year and didn't want to do that to a dog.

Thanks for all your help to this point and I am sure I will have more questions later.

RE: Cassey IS going to be a daddy
 

Wayne,

The kind of training program to follow kind of depends on what you want as a 'final product'. Of course "The Pointing Labrador" regardless of final product. As far as the general Retriever training --- "10 Minute Retriever" or "Smartwork" (vol.I) are equally good. "SmartFetch" is totally devoted to Force Fetch (all good books have a chapter about FF, but this is a whole book devoted to FF). If you plan to take your dog to VERY HIGH levels of training (like Casey boy), then you will need "Smartwork" (vol. II).

RE: Cassey IS going to be a daddy
 

Right now I'm wanting to do all the trial's. If I'm going to put the time into trainning...I might as well go all the way...Guess I'll be ordering the other book's you've suggested.....:)

RE: Cassey IS going to be a daddy
 

Wayne,
The SBDA will be having their Annual Banquet on Saturday, January 29 at the Northern Quest Casino -- starting at 5 PM. You are certainly invited to attend if you would like. You can also join the Club at the same time ($25 for a year). The food will be a Prime Rib and/or Chicken buffet ($16.50 each) with non-alcohol drinks included (ya gotta pay for the booze yourself). The banquet is always a good time (auctions - awards - drawings etc).

RE: Cassey IS going to be a daddy
 

Hey Doc...The Pointing Lab book came today...the 10 minute one is suppose to be here tomorrow

RE: Cassey IS going to be a daddy
 

Paul and Julie are personal friends of mine :D In fact, I first met Julie at Black Forest Kennels, when I was picking Casey out. She was there because she had been 'hired' by an attorney from Maryland to pick out a pup for him (out of Casey's litter).

Also, my friend, you need to go to www.pointinglabs.com and get registered --- it's the only website PURELY devoted to PLs.

RE: Cassey IS going to be a daddy
 

Done did it... :)

RE: Casey IS going to be a daddy
 

Wayne,

NO big hurry, but one of these days you need to pick up 2 or 3 paint rollers -- that's what you'll be using for "puppy retrieves".

RE: Casey IS going to be a daddy
 

Yup...That's what I use with Shooter when he was a pup....first I got the smaller roller's...then graduated to the bigger one's....how old should the pup be before I put a snap coller on him..??

RE: Casey IS going to be a daddy
 

There are basically 4 kinds of collars.
1. Flat (buckle) collar
2. Choke Chain
3. Pinch Collar
4. E-collar.

By "snap collar" are you talking about a choke chain or a pinch collar? Most folks (except the Knutson's) like a Pinch Collar best -- but the age for putting one on is around 4 months of age, when you are getting into enforced "HEEL".

RE: Casey IS going to be a daddy
 

was talking about the pinch...just forgot what the heck it was called

RE: Casey IS going to be a daddy
 

Yup, "about" 4 months -- when you get into enforced HEEL.

RE: Casey IS going to be a daddy
 

Why don't the Knutson's like the pinch collar..??

RE: Casey IS going to be a daddy
 

It's mainly because Paul & Julie 'err' on the side of caution. Too many folks that use a pinch collar try to use it as though it was a choke chain, and apply too much pressure. With a pinch collar, you let the dog apply the pressure. Paul & Julie don't want folks hurting their dogs because of not knowing how to use a pinch collar.

RE: Casey IS going to be a daddy
 

personaly..I like the pinch collar...I used it on Shooter to first introduce him to the leash...and then teaching heel...It worked like a champ, and never saw him in any sort of discomfert