Training lab question???????????

[BrushApe]

We just got a yellow lab pup that we are keeping for our son, probably permanent. She is three months old, quite the handful. Any suggestions on the best age to start working them, she just wants to play right now. Will retrieve, but will not bring in back to me, just wants to run in circles around me with object. I know I shouldn't go to her to get object back, makes a game of keep away out of it. May have to look into a local trainer, any suggestions. Mainly want to train her for pheasants and quail, maybe some waterfowl.

She is a biter right now to, wanting to play. She is slowly learning the word "NO". Am being very careful about not using her name and the word no. Want her name to be positive. Named her "Summer" Yellow Rose.

Any suggestions from all you dog pros out there???????????????


Thanks, BA

[Elkslayer67]

Start slow she's a lilttle young for a trainer they usually won't take them until they are 6 months old. Start with short retrieves and reward here only when she brings it to you and remember she's a puppy and her attention span is very small.

Originally Posted by BrushApe

We just got a yellow lab pup that we are keeping for our son, probably permanent. She is three months old, quite the handful. Any suggestions on the best age to start working them, she just wants to play right now. Will retrieve, but will not bring in back to me, just wants to run in circles around me with object. I know I shouldn't go to her to get object back, makes a game of keep away out of it. May have to look into a local trainer, any suggestions. Mainly want to train her for pheasants and quail, maybe some waterfowl.

She is a biter right now to, wanting to play. She is slowly learning the word "NO". Am being very careful about not using her name and the word no. Want her name to be positive. Named her "Summer" Yellow Rose.

Any suggestions from all you dog pros out there???????????????


Thanks, BA

[steelheadslayer]

If you don't want her to play keep away forever then don't let her run away from you. Get a 30' check cord and just let her drag it when she gets after a bird/bumper. When she has it say here and pull on the cord. Don't take the bumper away from her right away, let her hold it while you praise her. Work on basic obedience right now, it's the BASIS for everything. Build her retrieving desire by a lot of play bumpers, keep it short 5-7 retrieves at a time, make her want to keep doing it, stop playing before she does, you'll appreciate it later on.

A couple books for reference would be:
10 minute retriever
Tri Tronics Retriever Training
A lot of guys will disagree but Wolters Water Dog or Family Dog are great sources for the basic obedience around the house and getting a young dog started.

Good Luck, she might be handful but she sounds like a lot of fun right now.

[Elkslayer67]

I second the 10 minute retriever book. It's a really good book.

Originally Posted by steelheadslayer

If you don't want her to play keep away forever then don't let her run away from you. Get a 30' check cord and just let her drag it when she gets after a bird/bumper. When she has it say here and pull on the cord. Don't take the bumper away from her right away, let her hold it while you praise her. Work on basic obedience right now, it's the BASIS for everything. Build her retrieving desire by a lot of play bumpers, keep it short 5-7 retrieves at a time, make her want to keep doing it, stop playing before she does, you'll appreciate it later on.

A couple books for reference would be:
10 minute retriever
Tri Tronics Retriever Training
A lot of guys will disagree but Wolters Water Dog or Family Dog are great sources for the basic obedience around the house and getting a young dog started.

Good Luck, she might be handful but she sounds like a lot of fun right now.

[RAGHORN!]

One thing you can try before using a check cord (which is a good idea) is when she kind of comes back with it but hesitates(sp) and you know she is @ that playing stage, just turn and walk away, while watching over your shoulder, if she follows with the bumper? turn quickly and meet her with praise "gooooood girl" while petting and holding the object!! This will still keep it at the fun stage, once you have put the check cord on her, you have gone past that fun stage for her and you have gotten into serious training mode. Don't get me wrong, eventually you will get to this stage, but fun while there young is a important part of building that relationship! Just my 2cents. Good luck!

[onstep]

Originally Posted by BrushApe

. She is three months old, quite the handful.

She's so young I wouldn't get to wrapped up on training anything. Jackie Mertens has a DVD called Sound Beginings that has some good stuff. The other suggestions are good. Mike Lardy did a series on training a great Pheasent dog that would worth your time but it won't apply to her now based on age. I would concentrate of fun games, light ob with treats, and socialization. She'll be ready to start in no time.

[BrushApe]

Thanks for all the great tips guys!!!! Slow and easy with a lot of fun time seems to be the theme at this young age. She is already starting to mellow "a bit" from her wild antics. She is starting to learn that if she calms down and not puppy bite she gets a nice back or belly rub:grin:.

Thanks again for all the info. If anyone else has any input, it is all greatly appreciated.

BA

[water and sky]

I like the Wolters books because he gives a definite time line corresponding to the dogs age. Granted, individuals progress at different rates and the dog's breeding and your disposition are important but his book, Water Dog is worth reading.

The check cord is fine when their young - if your on the gentle side. It helps keep some control over the training session. The idea is to only give a command that you can enforce. If the dog is playing keep away and you don't have the end of the cord try running away, they'll chase you. Now your'e back in control.

[James in Idaho]

I like to start early retrieving training in a hallway. Only place a pup can go is back to me. Three months you can start on sit, stay and here. Leash training should be starting and it is not too early teach heel. Keep it light and pleasant. If you have an area where you can go off leash, long walks in the field are great. The pup will want to stick nearby, occasionally call its name and give it a treat when it comes to you.

[Capin' Dan]

Different people different books. I recommend Family dog to all puppy owners. Why it isn't just about the training it is about the stages a dog goes through and then identifying that stage. It tells you why a dog is doing what it is doing.

Now then when she starts the running keep away thing turn it around on her and run backwards calling her name very excitely. Once you get the bird hopefully with it still in her mouth pet her roughly and play with her. Make it a fun game at that age. Most importantly it will be a fun time for both of you and bonding as well. You will be surprised at how quickly it will be before she runs and picks it up and then brings it right back to you.

Now then when this starts again at teenage stage there is a little different approach. read the book.

Dan

[Old Guys Rule]

Three months old and teething. Keep it all fun and games on basic obedience. Do not push the retrieve yet. Have fun with play retrieves but do not push it until she is done teething. Lower you expectations and let the dog preogres on her schedule.

Not responding to come or fetch (bring it here)? run away clapping or talking excited to the dog. She will follow naturally. Catch her before she knows what is going on and then a treat reward. I am a big one on treats the first 6 months. This is an easy sell for a lab. After six months or so when they know the command and respond to the treat you can start giving negative reinforcement, but only after they know the command and are intentionally not responding.

I like the Wolters Family Dog and Water Dog books but keep in mind, Richard Wolters was not a dog trainier who wrote a book, he is a book writer who has written some dog books. They are great basics but Tar is not your average 21st Century lab. Check out the Mike Lardy books and videos. He is the winningest field trial traininer in recent times and has a little different approach.

Good luck, every dog, just like every trainer is different and each has their own pace.

[llama77]

We start human pups with pre school and kindergarten. Fun yes, but also lays the structure and foundation for later training.

Put pup in kindergarten. She can easily be learning "heel" sit/stay etc...

Regular training sessions with a good program now will pay off later.
Mertens video is good. she does start pups younger than yours.

Be consistent and fair. Dont "nag", "fluffy sit, fluffy sit, sit fluffy, FLUFFY, Fluffy SIT" etc.. you get the point. Pup only gets one chance. Then you enforce. If you cant enforce, dont command.

As had been suggested keep it fun, butit can be fun and structured also.

[taggbro]

The one thing that most advice here resonates - Keep it fun and informal while pup is a pup. That doesn't mean no training, you can train ob right away. Just do it without reprimand and keep it all positive. Reward (I like cut up weeny's best) and praise pup all you can. Lots of happy bumpers and bird wings. Take pup swimming as often as possible. Get pup used to people and other dogs. Socializing is very important at this age and will help develop your dog.

By the time pup is 6 months old, it should know sit, heel, come, kennel, quiet, and of course NO!

At 6 months you can start gaging if pup is ready for formal training (ob, ff, cc). Formal training now includes introducing pressure via pinch collar and e-collar as well as vocal tone. Some dogs mature slower than others and formal training can be a game for the rookie if your dog is immature. If pup responds well to pressure, go for it. If not, wait until pup is. No need to force it. They all come around sooner or later and it is important not to get impatient. I've had pups that were ready at 6 mos, I've had some that have been a year old. Like I said, it just depends on the dog.

Couple of my favorite training authors are:
Amy Dahl
Mike Lardy - I happen to like him best as his methods work best for me.
Evan Graham
Did I mention Mike Lardy? :smile:

Anyway, have fun for the first few months and read all you can and glean what you can from the books and develop what works for you and pup.

Good luck and have fun!