question for you dog trainers

[gator]

i've got a 7 month old lab that i am real please w/ his level of training up to this point, but i've got a few questions for you...1)he's a real calm dog (as far as lab puppies go) until someone new or another dog comes along and then it katie-bar-the-door...i can't get him to do much at first and then he usually calms down to at least a workable level...this is something i need to get fixed before next year and i would also like to get envolved w/ a retriever club in or around jackson and i don't want to get embarrassed or anger anyone else...2)i have initiated hand signals and it is going slow which i expect...he is fine if he sees the dummies dropped and i step away from him and send him, but if i send him one way, stop him, and try to send him the other way, i hit a snag, he justs wants to keep going for the initial dummy...now, i'm trying to fix this by, when i eventually get him going in the 2nd direction, i throw or have someone throw the dummy in that direction...kind of a reward, but i don't know if this is good...any suggestions, thanks, justin...oh yeah, if hotty totty gets on hear and says he's gay, don't believe him...he's young and just confused [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[gator]

my dog that is not totty himself...thought i better get that straight after reading the post...boy, that could of got me in a lot of trouble...it's a long story, when another dog comes around, and i mean any dog, the first thing he wants to do is hump (my dog that is and not totty)

[bear]

My feeling is that you are trying to go too fast. A 7 month old dog should be working on marking only and not handling yet.

Joining a retriever club is a great idea. You will find many people in the same boat as you and since he is getting too excited with people around, it sounds like he needs some socializing. Take him places and get him around people and things so that they are not so new to him

The retriever club will help with many problems and help you help your dog learn! [img]images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[Big Lou]

If you are really in Oxford, then I would recomend joining the MSHRC in Collierville, TN. They have an excellent foup of people that can help you al ot with your training. They also have a website......
[url=http://www.mshrc.com<A HREF="http://www.mshrc.com]www.mshrc.com[/url]" TARGET=_blank>www.mshrc.comwww.mshrc.com</A>

They have an AKC hunt test in Collierville on the weekend of May 5th. You may want to go and check it out. You will meet a lot of dog people and duck hunting people. It is a lot of fun to participate and attend these events.

You should be concerntrating your efforts on marking and making fun for him. After you get him doing doubles with some obedience involved then start the three handed casting drill.

Good Luck!

[Duck Nawteek]

HEy justin, when you get to jackson give me a call and we will get together and work with him. I just got back from my trainer in pickens and talked to him about force fetching my female. By the way Have You been getting my e-mails I've sent you? The man thing i would do is get someone to force-fetch him,ince he is only 7 months old. You got my e-mail address give me your # so I can get intouch with ya. [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[mississippi_duc_htr]

Justin alot of your problem sounds to me like youthfullness on the dogs part that why when you are working him that you should do it in a place with no distractions, at the same time you should take him with you as much as possible to get him use to new ppl and new surroundings, so he wont be so distracted when he's in the field under hunting conditions. Get him use too riding in a boat and even loading @ the boat ramp. I took my 4 month old out for his first boat ride yesterday and I like too have never got him on the ramp too get him in the boat. Do as much as you can training him but remember he's still a pup and he will improve and settle down alot by the time he's 2 and even more when he turns 3. Try and take him hunting as much as you can by yourself or with a good friend who will understand about your young dog. The best advice I can give you on your training is consistancy and a whole heck of alot of patience. If he wants too retrieve that about 70% of the battle the other 30 is up too you and what you want to teach him. I really like the waterdog book by Wolters. I worked my dog by the baseball tech. as far as hand signals and she did ok but she really didnt understand it till her 2nd year on what I was trying too teach her. Her first year she just headed for the spash and that was it no matter what was going on around her. The 2nd year on doubles she started too look to me on which one to get first. This will help alot with cripples that land too far out too shoot again. Good luck with your dog and I hope this helps. [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[goosebruce]

To teach a dog to stop and change direction realiably, you must first make him go. Having a handlng dog is all part of a program, and the steps need to be followed for the dog to understand it. Typically dogs learn to cast (take directions) and go to an object not thrown through an extension of force fetch. There are ways to do it without forcing a dog, but it takes much longer, and can be unrelaible.
FF is where you are going to need some help. Either pay a pro, or have knowledgable help adavaible on a daily basis to help you. You can read articals about it (amy dahl's oakhill kennels site, and dobbsdogs.com are 2 great ones) but without hands on help, its tough.
You other problem is really simple. Spend mroe time with your dog going places and being around people and other dogs (socialization skills). Join a retierver club (we're in hornlake Southern Flight (UKC), Mossy Oak in west point (UKC), jackson & memphis have akc clubs), and get some members close to you for regular training. Once your obedience is solid in yard, you start to add distractions (kids, dogs, etc.). Only once you can get solid ob with distractions can you ever expect it in the field. travis

[gator]

thanks so much for all your advice guys...i have probably gotten a little overzealous since he is doing marks and casts so well...i believe it would be good for me to just slow down a little as ya'll have suggested...again, i really appreciate all the advice and good natured humor here...later, justin

[hotty toddy]

Now Justin I would never tell the whole world that your dog is gay. He is young and confused but he may have tendencies!!! Just picking. [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] I believe he will be a great dog. But the one I had at the park last week is a much finer dog. LOL.

[gator]

yeah, what was it? half lab, half blue-healer? [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[hotty toddy]

Yea, it was a heinz 57 but it wasnt mine. When a lady asked you to hold her dog a while you have to do it. It just wouldnt be right not to.

You know that.