Hello. I'm new to the board, and have this question...

I don't hunt, but I've always wanted to. I'm fascinated by the working dogs--always have been--and think field trials are something I'd enjoy immensely.

I have a lab puppy, because I love them and lost my old one (a pet) earlier this year. Atticus is about four months; we've been doing obedience training on our own, and will go to classes in a few weeks. He's a doll, spunky and odedient, and he just loves his fetching--I have tried to keep it to a minimum, three or four or maybe five in a row, but on a few occassions have succombed to the tempation of wearing him out with it because he was so wound-up nuts. I've taken him to the lake, he loves the water, and has retrieved a few dummies there too. I've made no attempt to make him steady--but frankly, he seems to want to stay put (standing) until it falls anyway.

Here's my question--while I'm trying to decide whether I want to teach him (and myself) hunting skills, will the fetching for fun make it harder to train him formally if I do indeed decide to train him? How much harder? How much time do I have to decide? Keep in mind, he is first and formost a companion.

Thanks!

"Here's my question--while I'm trying to decide whether I want to teach him (and myself) hunting skills, will the fetching for fun make it harder to train him formally if I do indeed decide to train him? How much harder? How much time do I have to decide? Keep in mind, he is first and formost a companion."

No, not really, unless you inadvertantly begin teaching bad habits that would become hard to break later. But why gamble? You can easily teach him "fun bumpers" and yet proper retrieving concepts at the same time. You need a training book as a guide, and some hands-on assistance for the field work.

Look below for the UKC's Hunting Retriever Clubs in Ohio ...

Lake Erie HRC
Club Web Site
Northwood, OH
Michael Trible
(419)693-5339
damtrible@cs.com

Sandusky Bay HRC
New Waterford, OH
John Bidlake
(440)323-3346

West Central Ohio HRC
Tipp City, OH
Dale Schock
(937)256-1723
hrclabs@aol.com

Ohio HRC
Oakwood, OH
Denny Reinhart
(419)594-3861
president@ohiohrc.org

The website for UKC is http://www.hrc-ukc.com/

You'll likely find one of those Clubs nearby and/or some of their members close by who are generally very willing to help a newbie and their pup get started.

There are MANY good training books out there. One of my personal favorites is "The 10-Minute Retriever" by Amy and John Dahl. You can buy it through their website.

http://www.oakhillkennel.com/main.html

Please take the time to go through that site thoroughly and look at the "library" for training info starting at pup's age.

Their book link is also there but it's below for your convenience. http://www.oakhillkennel.com/library/ten_minute.html

a belated thanks for the great links--i hadn't seen most of these before, and they're helpful.

i just want to make sure my pup has maximum fun in keeping with the idea that he may also have some potentials for doing what retrievers are bred to do so well. thanks for the input--it looks like work and fun can go together for retrievers as well as us two-leggers.:)

Well ... let me tell you that it's hard to tell the difference between my Cappy "in play"

Or while "working" doing the same thing ...

super pics--cappy looks like a blast.