hunting dog training books?

BrotherRockeye

BrotherRockeye

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Having lost my kids' yearling pup to a road warrior on opening day of deer season my wife decided a replacement was in order.
One of her students (their ##### actually) just had a litter of lab pups so she spoke for the only female,a yellow.
Now,I've trained dogs for guard and obedience.
I've trained sled dogs for all position and lead.
I've never trained a gun dog/bird dog.
She will likely be primarily used for upland if that makes a difference.
I'm looking for advice on a good training manual to get started with once she's old enough.
Knowledge is power so any suggestions from the old hands would be appreciated.

TIA!
 
Where are you in Sask?
There are lots of videos and books available but the very best way to get ahead of the curve is contact someone who field trials or does hunt trials and ask if you can join them in training.
They usually train in a group and can always use another 'gunner' to throw 'birds or bumpers.'

It is so much easier if your dog progresses at a speed where she can learn without a ton of stress. As a newbie, if you get into 'trouble' with a concept and don't know how to deal with it you could be set back a lot in a training program.

Start with the basic obedience and keep the retrieving work fun. I only use a tennis ball or rubber bumper. I use no sticks. I do not want to shoot a bird and have the dog bring back a stick. He won't find a bumper or tennis ball in the field.

Also get a good whistle and lanyard.
 
why read when you can watch :D

Highly recommend Bill Hilman puppy DVD!

As far as when actual training comes in place, use a program from start to finish. Two most common and good programs is Evan's Smartwork program and Mike Lardy's Retriever training. DVD's :) Smartworks as well is offered in books if that is what you prefer.

exciting time, they grow up so fast
 
There are lots of good books, but when I learned to train my Springers for upland and pheasants, I just joined the local dog club for a year or two. Membership is usually cheap and they have lots of training activities and experience. It all starts in the backyard when they are puppies, especially good retrieving and bird handling techniques. Books are good as well. It all keeps you engaged in what you're trying to achieve.
 
Before the excellent trainers like Dokken, the bible was written by James Lamb Free - "Training Your Retriever" old school, before collar and all that other stuff.
it is still available in places....
Cat
 
wealth of information here :

www.northernflight.com

If I was getting only one source this would be it. Butch is a straight up, no BS guy and he covers about everything in here.

Let me know where you are - enjoy the trip and have fun. Just got my latest pup home a month ago ; Chesapeake female
 
quote; "She will likely be primarily used for upland if that makes a difference."

Wow! every poster here didn't bother to ask what kind of hunting results you expect. It really matters - a lot! A lab is a retriever - not a specialist flushing dog, like a Springer spaniel, and not a pointing dog, like the European versatile breeds, although some claim limited success when training so-called "pointing labs".
Most labs are best trained as retrievers, and then adapted to the uplands as enthusiastic flushers. You will get lot of satisfaction from your lab by working with her strengths, but do not expect her to be an upland bird specialist. She can become a very good upland bird hunter and companion, but you do have to realize it is a mismatch expecting a lab to be a "primarily upland" hunting dog. About the only upland bird that a Lab is very well suited to hunting is pheasant. I hunt with and train European versatile dogs by choice, and am currently training a Lab for the extra experience. Labs are extremely companionable, hard working, and happy dogs. No better dogs exist for hunting ducks and geese. But any of the versatile breeds is better for hunting upland birds with the notable exception of pheasant. Flame away Lab enthusiasts!
 
Longwalker said:
Most labs are best trained as retrievers, and then adapted to the uplands as enthusiastic flushers. You will get lot of satisfaction from your lab by working with her strengths, but do not expect her to be an upland bird specialist. She can become a very good upland bird hunter and companion, but you do have to realize it is a mismatch expecting a lab to be a "primarily upland" hunting dog. About the only upland bird that a Lab is very well suited to hunting is pheasant. I hunt with and train European versatile dogs by choice, and am currently training a Lab for the extra experience. Labs are extremely companionable, hard working, and happy dogs. No better dogs exist for hunting ducks and geese. But any of the versatile breeds is better for hunting upland birds with the notable exception of pheasant. Flame away Lab enthusiasts!
Click to expand...

Lots of folks with new dogs, it seems. And I have to agree with you, knowing their specialty is important. We just brought home a new English setter puppy, and I know that pointing for upland birds is her thing. Or at least I want it to be. You seem to know what you're talking about, Longwalker, so if you can refer a good book or website, that'd be great. :cool:
 
Longwalker said:
quote; "She will likely be primarily used for upland if that makes a difference."

Wow! every poster here didn't bother to ask what kind of hunting results you expect. It really matters - a lot! A lab is a retriever - not a specialist flushing dog, like a Springer spaniel, and not a pointing dog, like the European versatile breeds, although some claim limited success when training so-called "pointing labs".
Most labs are best trained as retrievers, and then adapted to the uplands as enthusiastic flushers. You will get lot of satisfaction from your lab by working with her strengths, but do not expect her to be an upland bird specialist. She can become a very good upland bird hunter and companion, but you do have to realize it is a mismatch expecting a lab to be a "primarily upland" hunting dog. About the only upland bird that a Lab is very well suited to hunting is pheasant. I hunt with and train European versatile dogs by choice, and am currently training a Lab for the extra experience. Labs are extremely companionable, hard working, and happy dogs. No better dogs exist for hunting ducks and geese. But any of the versatile breeds is better for hunting upland birds with the notable exception of pheasant. Flame away Lab enthusiasts!
Click to expand...

I myself was brought into a family that ran labs in trials, on waterfowl, and in the uplands for pheasants and partridge, and I disagree, when it comes to a lab, you can train it to go both ways with no problem.
I have many friends who run labs as well, for everything.
How the dog is trained is far more important than what breed it is.


Cat
 
Results come later, all pups need a gentle regime of play and light training to start them off! Leave it too late or start at too great a rate and it will cause difficulties.
Labs can be trained to be as active as springers and spaniels can pick up. No training is wasted as a well trained dog is a pleasure to all involved!
 
TimC said:
Results come later, all pups need a gentle regime of play and light training to start them off! Leave it too late or start at too great a rate and it will cause difficulties.
Labs can be trained to be as active as springers and spaniels can pick up. No training is wasted as a well trained dog is a pleasure to all involved!
Click to expand...

I agree here for sure, my father never started to train agressively for retrieving until his dogs were a bit older and were well versed in the normal stuff, as well as how and when to play!!:)
My first lab that I trained all by myself as a youngster BTW, was trained as a pointer!:eek:
That was 1966/'67, and my father was more than a little surprised but was also impressed when he fisrt saw him work a ruffed grouse!
Cat
 
I also find that gently training them works best, lots of praise and patience but for newcomers you really can't beat Eric Begbie
 
I see this topic finally heated up a bit...thanks for the replies.

flushing upland is the primary.

Some of my Uncles Labs have pointed without training but that's a bonus,they were trained to retrieve.

A dog with a job is a better dog imo and this pup won't be an exception.

I start young stuff slow.
My horses don't even see first saddle til they're at least 3 and showing signs of maturity.
Ground work til then.

Lots of information to go through now...thanks all.
 
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