Training a 2 year old Lab mix

Tulelicious · 12-08-2003, 12:50 PM

I have two, two and three year old lab mixed dogs one I got as a stray pup and the other was a pound dog so I have know clue what the mix actually is. The guess is Lab and collie. Anyway just getting into duck hunting and was wondering if they are still trainable. One is very gun shy the other not at all. Both love to retrieve sticks balls etc. in water but have a hard time bringing it back to me. Can I train at least one of these dogs myself with no experience or am I smoking crack. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Rustyoar · 12-08-2003, 01:41 PM

A lot of people would say no get a dog from a repitiable breeder that have hunting lines, but if it is real important to you to use these dogs get some good books from the liabary or Wolters "Water Dog". Its real hard to say if they are trainable, it would depend on how much time and effort you have to bring out the desired traits as well as their history. Odds are proable against you but not impossiable. Do your research and have LOTS of patience. Just my opinion.

FishinTechnician · 12-09-2003, 09:08 AM

I'm no expert, but here are some thoughts on your question. You are in for a real "crap shoot" and the odds aren't very good that you will come out a winner if you put all your time and energy into this dog. How it turns out depends more on things that are completely out of your control, than how good an amateur trainer you will prove to be. Specifically, what does this dog bring to the equation that suggests the possibility of even limited success. The only thing you've mentioned is that it retrieves. Daschunds can retrieve! A pup from good retrieving stock stands a much better than even chance that it will be healthy, have a highly developed scenting ability, good learning ability, some inherited instincts from the parents, and an above average willingness to retrieve.

You really should ask yourself what you want at the end of the training regimen. If $$$ is no object then start with the very best, or at least whatever you can afford. If you want a dog that will have the capability do it all, again start with the best. Like cars...you get what you pay for!

Given the amount of time it takes to train a dog it just makes more sense to start with one that gives the greatest chance of success. Besides you may decide later that waterfowl hunting is something you may want to do for the rest of your life. If so, you can count on your first dog's offspring to provide you with a long line of hunting companions. If you should decide that waterfowling isn't what it's cracked up to be then you'll still have a good companion. Personally, much of the reason I'm still waterfowling after 40+ yrs is the enjoyment of watching good dogs do what they have been bred and trained to do.

Tulelicious · 12-09-2003, 09:46 AM

Unfortunatly I will not be able to get another dog due to the fact that I already have two that I do not want to give up. When the time comes to replace one of these dogs I will definitly be looking into spending some $$ to get a dog with a good bloodline. In the mean time I get to deal with what I have. The dogs are very attentive and listen well. The biggest downfall that I would see is that they are very excitable and have way to much energy for their own good. They will sit on command and stay but for how long is the question. I think I will give one of them the old college try and see what happens. I have considered taking one to a trainer but am afraid of wasting my $$ if the dog is not very trainable.

Trout Tako · 12-09-2003, 04:16 PM

T,

If I were you I'd work with the one that isn't gun shy. You can have the best retriever in the world but he won't ammount to anything if he is afraid of the noise. It has bee my experience that this is extremely hard to overcome. My best friend relayed a story to me about his first lab pup. The dog came from champion lines and was well on its way to becoming a hunting phenom. He did everything right, Shooting a cap gun while the pup was eating etc. When the pup was about a year & 1/2 old they took it out for its first real hunt. The pup got right to it & jumped a phesant. When the gun went off the pup high-tailed it to the car & hid underneath. Now every time there is a thunder storm she hides in the corner. They worked with the pup, shooting around her and trying to reasure her that it was all ok but no luck. (sorry, I'm a bil long winded)

Choose the pup you want to train and work with him away from distraction. if you train both Train each dog individually make sure they have the basic obedience down first.

Other than that the best advice that I can give you is be consistant. Dogs respond to consistancy, praise the good & punish the bad - EVERY TIME.

One more thought. When teaching a pup to retrieve to the hand one method that I have found to be extremely effective (while Training). If the pup dosn't bring the dummy to your hand, dont throw it again. Playtime will = well placed retrieves. Follow this through with the stick, ball, & frisbee as well.

Oh yeah no one is perfect - I know the dos & don'ts of training but don't infer that my pup is by any means a world champion. She's good enough to find my phesants & keep me from swimming after my own ducks.

Best of luck to you.

Tako