Gun Dog Forum

Butterbean- I was in the same boat. Never trained a dog before and decided to go ahead with it. First off, congrats- it takes a can do spirit. I am NO expert by any means but I will share my experiences from the first year of training. I brought Colby (chclt Lab) home in Jan. of 2008. I purchased 10...

Although I normally don't go with the majority....

Montana, hands down. Upland bird variety, grouse, and don't forget ducks. The scenery is awesome.
On a side note, always wanted to go to Texas for a quail, dove, and snow goose blow out!
In reality I'll take anything outside of Ohio.

Wanted to thank the responders. Had a great turn around weekend. I modified my pinch technique, which created a whimper and a bolt of lightning. He WANTED! that bumper. Also started with treats after the session. I went back to square one on Fri with the new pinch technique. Then over Sat.-Sun worke...

Thanks for the input. He did really well in the "hold" phase. I didn't move towards fetch until he he was readily holding the dummy. He seemed to really enjoy it as he would wag his tail while holding and walking with the dummy. I also give lots of praise. Started fetch by holding his ear, not pinch...

Thanks for the reply

I've been using the earpinch. As a novice I haven't developed my own style yet. I've got a few books, magazines, and interset sources I use for references. I thought about treats as well but never really employed it during training. I will try that for the next session.

Been force-fetching my lab (8 months old) for about three weeks now. I only get time in the morning before work to really focus with him. So I spend about 15 minutes a day working on force-fetch. He really took to the "hold" command and I've moved to "fetch". He also progressed nicely here till the ...

Man that's a tough break. I can't imagine the frustration, then having to explain to the wife...goodness :D Don't know her total physical condition but... can you work on obediance, teach her a trick? Just be patient and give her plenty of attention. BTW- you may be able to ease the wallet pain with...

I am by no means an expert but in my experience...... You can get steel leaders that are made for a fly-rod. Check Cabelas or a local store for them. Your 5wt will be fine, and yes, you should try for pike. In freshwater there are few, if any, thrills better than a pike on a fly rod. I have caught t...

For sheer variety I would go to Montana or South Dakota. They may not have Quail, but there is plenty of other to make up for it. If you want to keep the Quail, I'd say Iowa or maybe Nebraska. There is some (at least I've heard) good Quail in the south as well???? If it was me and I could only go on...

If it was me I would head north for grouse and woodcock. There are lots of good areas, just make sure your're not in any of them during deer gun season!

That's some great stuff right there, nice!

This is a loaded question but... I have had labs since I can remember and I will own nothing but labs till I am gone. For loyalty, family, and training they are the best. This is just my opinion. I hear and read great things about chessies, got nothing against them. They're a wonderful breed. But I ...

I agree, nip it immediately. Chasing deer is a good way for your dog to get lost, hit by a car, or shot by a hunter. Unfortunately I had a friend who lost his dog to a bowhunter that was hunting deer.

I'm with Ricky Ticky, end it immediately. The pain may be bad but the alternative is far worse.

Don't know much about V's but..... My oldest lab (7yrs), which I never formally trained has, really developed as I train my new pup (6 months). She has taken a liking to him and I am using some of my drills on her and she is reacting in a positive way. When I first got her I didn't have the time to ...

I have never trained my labs to hunt for sheds but my oldest one will bring back back bones, hides, feathers and one time she did bring back a shed. I think its just her natural instinct to grab something that smells like an animal and bring it back.

Welcome aboard. I am new to the site and training my first retriever as well. I also recomend the 10 minute retriever, I have read it twice now. I also got another book that I really like called The Working Retrievers by Tom Quinn. It is written in a matter of fact format that I enjoy, in other word...

When I started working on my retriever I concentrated on basic obediance first. Sit, Heel, Kennel, Come, Fetch, Down, and Quiet. When he reaches 6 months I will start more intense work. For now I try to make it fun and learn to "read" him.

1) The Working Retriever

2) none

3) Retriever Journal

Hello all, I am new to gun dog hunting. I recently purchased a choc. lab pup and am getting ready to train him myself. I have considered sending him to a trainer but I decided not to. It will be a challenge but I also think it will be very rewarding. My focus will be on ducks and doves since that is...

Fellow Ohioan here. I am new to the group and dropping in to say hi. Just getting started with my lab pup. He will be my first gun dog and I'm looking forward to training him. I plan to use him for waterfowl mainly and the occasional dove and pheasent hunt. Looking forward to sharing information wit...