new hunting partner

[TriggerHappy]

Well we finally got our new hunting partner, a 8 week old Black lab. I am just curious as where to start on the waterfowl training. Believe it or not he is retreiving his toy duck already, I am new to this part of hunting and dog training so any info would be great.

[verno]

Congrats on the new addition, and we all LOVE puppy pics if you have any yet

[Drew Good]

Hey Triggerhappy,

First off congrats on your new puppy, when you get a chance post some pics as we love puppy pictures. As for training your new partner there are a few threads on here about training your pup, here is a recent one....

http://www.canadianhuntingdogs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150

Just keep in mind, don't rush things. You will have plenty of time for that in the future.

Drew

[nimkii]

Congrats on the new pup...to start, let pup be pup. And keep everything simple.

If your using a toy duck to play with, speaking from experience, if it squeaks, don't use it (or take the noise maker out). I had a heck of a time getting my lab to stop chomping on everything she returned to me, it was because of the noise maker in her toys, she knew if she bit hard enough she would here a squeak and if she does it on freshly killed birds she would here the bones cracking...it's getting much better though thanks to force fetch training.

[Anna Scott]

You might want to check out some of the posts under retriever training. It was all great advice. I always start my real young puppies in the hallway with a pair of balled up socks and then a canvas puppy bumper. I like the hall because there is only one place to go and that is back to me. Make sure that all your retrieves are fun and that you don't make the sessions too long. When out doors use a long line so pup has to come back to you. Don't worry too much if he drops the bumper just make sure that he always comes back to you. Lots of praise for coming.
The other thing to be doing at this point is basic obedience. Sit, stay and here(come). The one thing I wish I did better was insisting that the dog sit before I open the crate door and sit when its feet hit the ground. My youngest is a terror and she and I have had some major battles about getting in and out of the crate in the van.

[Maverick]

Congrats on the new lab!!!! You have some fun training and hunting days ahead of you.

Mav.....

[TriggerHappy]

Thanks everyone with the help so far, I am sure there will be more questions as the pup gets older. He is doing awesome so far, already retreiving, dropping and has yet to do his business in the house or crate.
Here is another question, we want to bath him but i am afreaid to scare him from water, is this a concern i should be having?
Thanks ,
TriggerHappy

[luvmylabs]

Don't use anything but vet approved shampoo. In young puppies human shampoo can cause convulsions. Knew one who had convulsions for almost 6 months before they finally stopped. Keep bath water low, no more than 3-4 inches deep and slightly warm. Put his favourite toy in with him. It shouldn't be a problem. Most Labs love the water.

Anne

[TriggerHappy]

here are the puppy pics you asked for, hopefully the work..

[TriggerHappy]

obviously they didnt work, so i have no idea how to get them posted..haha

[ducksoup]

Recommend Sound Beginnings by Jackie Mertens (DVD) -- also check out internet lots of great articles and info