Training dogs...

[bluwtr]

Hey guys,

Would like to here some problems, tips, tactics, ideas, potions, spells and whatever else someone feels is relevant on traing dogs. Have "Water Dog" and have used it. My lab is now 1 year old. I started training him when he was probably 2 1/2 months old, but I stopped because of lack of time. I have restarted, but he seems to be in the "teen-age" stage, you know not listening or just plane ignoring me.

Thanks guys,

Wes [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]

[GulfCoast]

Wes: Contact Billy Perkins at Perkins Tire on Hwy 90 re: the local hunting retriever club.

[bluwtr]

Hey GC,

My cousin said the same thing. He said that Billy is one of the best in Jackson county. I'm not interested in trials, I just want a good hunting buddy. I'm having a few problems, and I was looking for opinions. "Water Dog" by Wolters has really helped, but it never hurts to go to other sources.

Thanks,
Wes

[GulfCoast]

All I was trying to say is, he ought to be a good resource person.

[goosebruce]

Read his dang post...'hunting retriever club'.... Thats whut its about brother, making you a great hunting dog....First and foremost, is you need to establish control & obedience. Those teenage years you're refering to are a lack of obedenice, and will only worsen with the distractions of a hunt, or other dogs and people. Without a dog under control, all the natrual talent in the world is wasted. Second, a book or video program is a good place to start. ANY book or video will train a dog, but only if you follow the program outlined almost excatly. Another book you don't follow wont help, in fact, it will hinder you by having twice as much stuff to 'try'....Belive me, I did it, we all do it, mix and match what we 'think' is important, when we musta known the guy who wrote the book was smarter than us or we wouldnt have shelled out the cheese for his book. Water dog has some basics, but forget the time lines (you already have i suppose). Personally, to me, the easiest to follow book/program is the Dobb's tritronics book, especially if you plan on using a ecollar program. There are others out there (like lardys $400 video set) that arent what most people need. And people, you need people. You need someone to show you how to train... To train with a purpose, a goal, and an objective. No book or video really ever shows you that, it only comes from being around dog people. And you need people to help you train, birdboys, other dogs, different grounds, and the fun and comaridrie of training with a group. A hunting retriver club provides the people, the hardest part of all that stuff. You might be surpirsed if you saw some of these 'trials' and what you think they do,and what they do. Let's see, the hunt test Im going to this weekend has flooded rice fields, flooded timber, and cut over dove fields & ponds we're running in. The one I was at last week had a really neat green-seed swamp, with bird boys in the trees, and a killer thread the needle cypress knee blind...Did I mention the goose hunt we set up 2 weeks ago? Guns, calls, decoys, ducks, EVERY weekend... Ck out the HRC website and see some of the pictures from the grand last week, and see if its what you thought... travis

[Millenium Mallard]

You could also call Tom Hamilton with Bracken Fen Gundog Kennels in Saucier. Tom would be happy to answer any questions you have and even give you an evaluation of you dog at this stage. 831-1791
St.John

[Jeff]

No question about it get involved with the HRC or AKC, they areunbelievable resources. All I want is a good duck dog that's what I wanted when I started and that's what I want when I am finished. However if you train with people in a club, you will actually see what you can get out of a dog and what your dog can do and will soon realize that if your dog ever learns half of what those other guys and gals dogs can do it'll be the best duck dog you have ever hunted around. Also the freinds you make and people you meet are really great. For example, my current duck lease, I found not from the paper or anything else, but from the dog club. You and your dog will benefit immensly if you get involved. However it time is an issue have a pro do it it will come out better in the end. Either way you go, get involved as much as you can it will always help.

[bear]

Ditto on joining a Retriever club. You will meet some great people and find out many are having the same training problems as you. Very likely, you will make some new hunting buddies as well.
One thing you will learn very early is to buy a training collar. You should also buy the video that supports the training techniques. A training collar will make the process much easier for you and your dog and will prevent frustration that you might take out on your new hunting buddy, your dog.

Training if done properly will result in a great hunting companion. Myself, I would rather simply work my dog and let others do the shooting if necessary. A well trained dog doubles the pleasure of Duck Hunting, while a poorly trained dog will make it unenjoyable for both you and your hunting buddies. Do It Right and do not skip the force training!

[img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[bluwtr]

Guys calm down. I wasn't knocking the info you gave to me. The whole reason I started this thread was to get answers just like the ones posted. You can't learn without asking. I appreciate ALL tips and advice, but if I choose not to use one source, then so be it.

Like I said I do appreciate what has been said thus far and please keep it coming.

One more thing, I am interested in the e-collars. I'm on a tight budget, so what would be suggestions for one. I want a good reliable one that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Thanks guys,

Wes [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[Big Lou]

Try the collar clinic for used collars. they have a web site too! Good luck with your dog and remember that it only takes 15 mins a day to make a great dog. Always leave them wanting more. If they are jumping for the bumper put it in your pocket and call it a day. Always end on a good note, not a correction. Build on your traing, never set up a a hunting senerio where your dog will fail and loose its confidence. repetative drills pay off in the field or swamp!

[Big Lou]

Oh one more thing. Try going to the Maike Lardy web site and printing out the series of articles he did for the retreiver journal and read them. They were a big help to me taking my dog one step ata time. It has become my bible, I have it laminated and bound.

[Big Lou]

Sorry I fat fingered his name that was Mike Lardy.

[Model12]

I can second the vote for Tom Hamilton. Tom is easy to talk to. He really cares about the dogs, and is interested in helping people with there retreiver related programs. Tom trained my personal gun dog, and she is a crackerjack. But I would stress this: Consistency is the key no matter who does what. My dog is three now, and I still do a few drills almost every day, even if its just a sit through distractions drill. It just takes time....

[bear]

In regard to e-collars, most people respond like they do to shotgun questions. Its seems that the one you have is the one that everyone should use! Both my son and I have used tri tronics collars with no problems for over 5 years. A good supplier is Gun Dog Supply. At one time they had used, rebuilt collars, at a value price.
[img]images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img] Good Luck and Keep it Fun!

[Jeff]

Tri tronics has been around for the longest time and so maybe the best reputation. However the remote is real big, and kinda a pain to lug around when you are hunting or doin anything else with your dog. Dogtra and Innotek are newer on the market, and have a pretty good following. I know Goosebruce uses one of them, and I can't remember which one, he likes it and the remote is tiny, it could fit in your pocket. That is a big plus. Big things you want are adjustable stimulation with the colar, and the ability to nick(a real short shock) and burn, the ability to hold the button down and keep the stimulation goin till they straighten out. I aint an expert on this subject, but I am about to buy a collar and am tryin to decide which to get, keep changin my mind on what kind.