So, after reading northwoodslivin's post with his new hunting buddy http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=198933
I thought I could put together a Diary of sorts of Retriever Training. I am by no means an expert on the topic, but I have trained a couple of dogs. I belong to a Retriever Club in SW Ontario, SWORTC, and really enjoy Waterfowl Hunting. My focus is mainly on Hunt Tests, but all the techniques and training would apply to Field Trials and other disciplines as well. Northwoodslivin was interested in upland hunting with a Lab, and this would be touched on, as Hunt Tests require "Quartering" and "Sit to the Flush" portions in the Senior and Master Level.
I hope to encourage others that may have thought about getting a Lab, but were unsure about how to train them. Also, I would like others to give their input, as I know there are other Retriever people on this board with lots of experience.
Well, last night I picked up my new 7 week old puppy from the breeder. They are members of my dog club, and have been in the Field Trial game for quite a number of years, and have had some exceptional dogs to their credit.
I wanted a Female, and I knew about their litter months ago, and gave them a deposit for a puppy, so this gave me "first pick" of the females. Last night was my first time seeing the puppies, although they had sent me some photo's of the litter via email:
Basically we separated the four females from the males, and took them outside to wander around. I could see that they were all very, very similar in body shape and size, and my preference is for the smaller bodied dogs, they just seem more athletic to me. One was super active, almost to much so, so I took her out of my list. After about 15 mins. of being outside, we took them into the upstairs of their house, somewhere the pups had never been before, and watched for their reactions. Two out of the three, immediately started exploring, while the other one was a little more cautious, so she was taken off the list. With the two left, one had a pink collar the other an orange one, I chose the orange puppy, cause I am not a fan of pink.
There, that is my process for picking pups, there is no magic, or powers that be when choosing, and I am sure they will all be fantastic hunting dogs. The most important part is the Breeding. Good parents with verifiable Field trial and Hunt Test backgrounds, will be more of a determining factor of how they will be for hunting and training.
So this week will basically involve socialization, to my "Pack", which includes an older Chocolate Lab. Crate training, walks around the property, peeing and pooping outside, and the word NO, will be used constantly, as well as her name. They are just pups after all, and it will take her some time to get used to my routine, as well as my other dogs space.
Here she is, Camma:
Toilet paper roll retrieving already! Its in their blood
I thought I could put together a Diary of sorts of Retriever Training. I am by no means an expert on the topic, but I have trained a couple of dogs. I belong to a Retriever Club in SW Ontario, SWORTC, and really enjoy Waterfowl Hunting. My focus is mainly on Hunt Tests, but all the techniques and training would apply to Field Trials and other disciplines as well. Northwoodslivin was interested in upland hunting with a Lab, and this would be touched on, as Hunt Tests require "Quartering" and "Sit to the Flush" portions in the Senior and Master Level.
I hope to encourage others that may have thought about getting a Lab, but were unsure about how to train them. Also, I would like others to give their input, as I know there are other Retriever people on this board with lots of experience.
Well, last night I picked up my new 7 week old puppy from the breeder. They are members of my dog club, and have been in the Field Trial game for quite a number of years, and have had some exceptional dogs to their credit.
I wanted a Female, and I knew about their litter months ago, and gave them a deposit for a puppy, so this gave me "first pick" of the females. Last night was my first time seeing the puppies, although they had sent me some photo's of the litter via email:
Basically we separated the four females from the males, and took them outside to wander around. I could see that they were all very, very similar in body shape and size, and my preference is for the smaller bodied dogs, they just seem more athletic to me. One was super active, almost to much so, so I took her out of my list. After about 15 mins. of being outside, we took them into the upstairs of their house, somewhere the pups had never been before, and watched for their reactions. Two out of the three, immediately started exploring, while the other one was a little more cautious, so she was taken off the list. With the two left, one had a pink collar the other an orange one, I chose the orange puppy, cause I am not a fan of pink.
There, that is my process for picking pups, there is no magic, or powers that be when choosing, and I am sure they will all be fantastic hunting dogs. The most important part is the Breeding. Good parents with verifiable Field trial and Hunt Test backgrounds, will be more of a determining factor of how they will be for hunting and training.
So this week will basically involve socialization, to my "Pack", which includes an older Chocolate Lab. Crate training, walks around the property, peeing and pooping outside, and the word NO, will be used constantly, as well as her name. They are just pups after all, and it will take her some time to get used to my routine, as well as my other dogs space.
Here she is, Camma:
Toilet paper roll retrieving already! Its in their blood
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