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  1. #1
    Puppy
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    Training my first Lab

    Hi All,

    I have a 6 month old chocolate lab. She is a very well behaved pup, her sit-stay, drive and fetching are all really good. I have started some minor whistle training and she understands that as well. I'm also working on hand cast, with her food bowls, but I do see some translation into her fetching outside.
    I am not a hunter but think gun dog training would bring a lot of enjoyment to myself and my puppy, maybe a hunt trial one day.
    I was hoping I could get some pointers on where to go next, I'm at a bit of a loss. I don't know if force fetching would be for me, but I can see its importance as she has issues with this aspect of the fetching. Is there any positive reinforcement type training that is proven to work and may help a novice like myself?

    Any help or input would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks!

  2. #2
    Senior Dog IRISHWISTLER's Avatar
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    Jun 2014
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    Mike,
    See if there any hunting retriever clubs in your area and join up if available.

    Irishwhistler
    TEAM TRAD PRO STAFF
    DUBLIN DUCK DYNASTY

    Joanie Madden, Mary Bergin, Adrea Coor, and Nuala Kennedy, each an Irish whistle goddess in her own right.

  3. #3
    Puppy
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    Thanks Irish! Good idea. Would anyone know of a gun dog club in the Toronto ON Canada area??

  4. #4
    House Broken EvanG's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mike1309 View Post
    Thanks Irish! Good idea. Would anyone know of a gun dog club in the Toronto ON Canada area??
    If you are training this dog, how are you doing it? Are you following a proven sequential program to do it? Which one? A retriever club can be a two edged sword. Sometimes helpful, experienced people. Sometimes they know as little as any beginner. Sometimes there are members with knowledge, but who don't openly share. In any event, you should acquire solid information.

    EvanG

  5. #5
    Senior Dog IRISHWISTLER's Avatar
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    Mike,
    Evan is correct, there is often a full spectrum of experience in various retriever clubs and you should be using a proven sequential training program like Evan Graham's Smartworks program, or Mike Lardy's Total Retriever Training program to name just two of the more highly respected programs out there. Still, see if there is a retriever club active in your area and what they might have to offer. In general, the HRC's have some great folks associated that are willing to point newbies in the right direction.

    Cheers,
    IRISHWHISTLER
    TEAM TRAD PRO STAFF
    DUBLIN DUCK DYNASTY

    Joanie Madden, Mary Bergin, Adrea Coor, and Nuala Kennedy, each an Irish whistle goddess in her own right.

  6. #6
    Senior Dog
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    Oct 2014
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    Hi Mike
    There are two types of retriever clubs that are near the Toronto area. The CKC clubs are Mill Creek, Horseshoe, Mountain Valley and York. There are also HRC clubs around as well Lake Ontario, Luther Marsh. Just google the names and you will come up with their web sites. All clubs are wecloming to new dog enthusiasts. We are north of Barrie and belong to the York club and the Georgian Bay HRC.
    Good luck with your new addition.

  7. #7
    Puppy
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    If you are willing to put in the work and get onboard with a proven sequential training program training your first dog is not only doable but a whole lot of fun for both of you. A training group can be invaluable when you need multiple gunners in the field and a lot can be learned watching from the gun station; however before any of the group work begins there is a lot of work to be done in the yard building the foundation. The two programs previously mentioned both have their flow chart on their websites and will give you a good idea of what is involved. Evans program has served a lot of first time trainers well.
    Pictured below is our "first dog"who just turned 2. He is a family pet who lives inside, hunts and does okay in field trials The joy these four legged balls of love get from doing what they were born to do is unbelievable.

 



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