well im a new guy to this forum and need a little help

[hrchunter]

hey everybody i have been reading this forum for about a week now and have learned alot,i am pretty new to this stuff im only 15 and plan on huntin retrievers the rest of my life i love it,well im supposed to be getting a new lab puppy sometime in the next few months and was wonderin what some of the basics would be if im gonna use him mostly for hunt tests through ukc/hrc i also plan on doing a little bird hunting,i need all the help i can get,i know alot about ob training and that is not a prob. cause i trained the chessie that we have now,i on the other hand only know the formal training that has been talked about on this forum,i ordered a book called the 10 minute retriever is that a good source?o yeah i also forgot to ask but would it ruin the dog when he is old enough to set by my side while i squirrel hunt and have him retrieve downed squirrels i thought it was a good idea but im not sure i dont want ta ruin my 1st dog.well thank you everybody for your help

[Goshawk]

Welcome,

The best advice I can give you is to get in contact with your local ukc-hrc clubs. You can find a list of clubs on the ukc-hrc web site. Go and watch the tests. Many clubs start having informal or "picnic" tests this time of year. Watching it first hand is the best way to learn what is expected of both dog and handler. Talk with the handlers, most of them will be more than willing to answer any questions you have about the tests. You should even be able to find some people to train with.

I haven't seen the 10 Minute Retriever myself but I have heard good reviews from other people. I know that John and Amy Dahl have been around the retriever seen for quite a while.

I don’t see that retrieving squirrels as you described would hurt your retrievers training in any way. It will be just another object he will retrieve on command.

[ezzy333]

Welcome aboard. I'm not a retreiver expert so I'll let someone else give you advise but I do agree with what Goshawk told you. Glad to have you here.

Ezzy

[tailcrackin]

where are you located?? Have alot of retriever buddies all over can possibly get it set up for some work and some training, and I will also help out if you are interested, I am in Berea, Kentucky, and do alot of retrievers and gun dog work with them, if you want pm me if you are interested and I will give some tips and stuff, thanks Dave Jones Jonesy's Gun Dogs Berea, Kentucky, I train and fix all breed bird dogs and retrievers, be glad to lend a hand, or answer any questions, Thanks Again, Jonesy

[ezzy333]

Jonsey, It would be nice if you could answer questions and give advise hear in the forums where everyone can learn instead of asking people to contact you by PM.

Thanks,
Ezzy

[tailcrackin]

sorry, it helps keep all the blood pressures down. wont happen again