Training a lab puppy???

[Drake]

Hey folks, just wanted to know what the best way of getting a new puppy trained as a waterfowl hunting retriever is. I have a 9 week old male who has just started puppy classes and basic obedience. What can I work on with him now and what type of drills will benefit us at his young age now?? Also when should I think about starting hunt test and junior hunt games?? Thanks

[Drew Good]

Hey Drake,

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new pup. As for training, right now you just want to concentrate on letting the pup be a pup. Don't worry about drill's and stuff like that. There will be lots of time for that in the future. Right now you just want to work on his basic OB and socializing.

Also one thing that you are going to want to do is play the "retriever game" with him, and right now that is all it is.....A game to the pup. You want to keep the sessions short and always leave on a high note ( when the pup does something right ). Remember this must be fun for the pup.

I would suggest getting a DVD on training labs, as most of these start from the time you bring a pup home. A good one is Jackie Mertens "Sound Beginnings". This one is focused at when the dog is a pup so this would be a good place to start.

Drew

[nimkii]

Lots of socialization. And like Drew said let pup be pup. The one aspect of training I neglected was socialization. The more experiances the better.

[Mike Bons]

Drake, where are you located? Try to get together with a training group in your area. Most groups have a wealth of information and are more than willing to help.
Btw, welcome to the forum!
Mike

[Drake]

I am located in Kitchener/Waterloo Ontario, 1 hour south of Toronto. Just been playing the retrieve game with him and giving him lots of praise when he actually brings the toy back!!

[luvmylabs]

I agree with Drew. Get Jackie Mertins "Sound Beginnings" tape. Lots of really cool games you can play with the pup while teaching him some basic commands. A hallway in the house is the best place to start his retrieving. That way he comes straight back to you. Get that habit instilled now if possible. Another thing I found helpful was to get him dragging a leash attached to his collar for short periods of time. He gets used to the lead so when you move outside to do your retrieving with him he will be used to dragging a line. Also helps later on with heeling. Have fun. This is the best time with your pup.

Anne

[Kevin Hannah]

Glad to see you made it over Drake, we wanted to help you find your way over her but some of us have some trouble doing that over there.
There is a ton of retriever knowledge here and the forum is full of people that will be more than willing to help out.

The advice you have gotten so far is right on the money. The retrieving you are doing right now will be to develop the retrieving desire and first and foremost should be FUN for you and your pup. The advice from lovmylabs about the hallway is great, I have started every one of my pups in a hallway in the house.

One other thing to remember which is sometimes forgotten by people eager to get going and advance their dog is to have some fun with the pup. They are only small like this for a very short period and you should enjoy every minute of it. You and your pup will be better for it in the long run. There will be LOTS of time for serious training as he gets a little older.

Get a hold of any training material and read up or watch vidios and try to get hooked up with a retriever club or training group in your area. You have anready posted up the area you live so you will probably find there are lots of other people training in your area.

Kevin