Tips on training a lab pup

[Waldo84]

Let me correct my statement... It is the worst advice I've ever heard for introducing a dog to gunfire . With something as serious as that, you might want to include a few of the important first steps. "Shoot the gun to make sure not gun shy" is pretty vague. 

You are quick to point out that I said "shoot the gun", you failed to mention that I listed some steps on how to "slowly introduce the gun". Also I mention more than once that the best way to go if he decides to train his own dog, is to follow a pro dog trainers program. Online advice is cheap, mine included 

I'm not going to touch the water birth comment, that just made me laugh.

[hdshot]

Let me correct my statement... It is the worst advice I've ever heard for introducing a dog to gunfire . With something as serious as that, you might want to include a few of the important first steps. "Shoot the gun to make sure not gun shy" is pretty vague. 

You are quick to point out that I said "shoot the gun", you failed to mention that I listed some steps on how to "slowly introduce the gun". Also I mention more than once that the best way to go if he decides to train his own dog, is to follow a pro dog trainers program. Online advice is cheap, mine included 

I'm not going to touch the water birth comment, that just made me laugh.

That 100% right I was vague as subject matter.  I believe the guy had enough knowledge to do his own research. If anyone was quick to point out it was you on ewu good advice but failed to act friendly like ewu.  Also you failed to understand people have different experiences.  Mine have been good by just going out for a walk and fire off light shell to see what the reaction is then graduate up to bigger shell when all is good.  I just don't believe a person has to make a big deal about it but a good thing to know before hunting because dogs are either going to be shy or not.  I have seen abused dogs in the field not be gun shy and just saw a friends young puppy not be bothered by fireworks and gun fire going off by the other campers. 

Here is a good youtube. He talks about balloons first before gun fire but then at the end of the clip one of his dogs is scared in thunderstorms. So if balloons are going to not make dogs gun shy then it should work on thunder as well.  So I call BS on balloons but used his gun method before and he starts with a 22 which is cool.

[wildweeds]

.22's are bad for a couple reasons,#1 is they create a sharp whir due to the rifling if using live rounds  that is undectectable to human ears but dogs hear it in the same manner as a silent whistle  #2 is a .22 produces a "sharp KRAAACK" wheras a shotgun produces a lower pitched "BOOM". I start with a .410 or reduced handloaded 20 gauge pushing a payload of uncle bens rice or birdseed.

Let me correct my statement... It is the worst advice I've ever heard for introducing a dog to gunfire . With something as serious as that, you might want to include a few of the important first steps. "Shoot the gun to make sure not gun shy" is pretty vague. 

You are quick to point out that I said "shoot the gun", you failed to mention that I listed some steps on how to "slowly introduce the gun". Also I mention more than once that the best way to go if he decides to train his own dog, is to follow a pro dog trainers program. Online advice is cheap, mine included 

I'm not going to touch the water birth comment, that just made me laugh.

 So I call BS on balloons but used his gun method before and he starts with a 22 which is cool.

[Jonathan_S]

For me it's always been linking the sound of a fired weapon to a dead animal  my dogs are addicted to it now

[follow maggie]

I love that Maggie associates "sit" with "stay"

[JJD]

I love that Maggie associates "sit" with "stay"

Stay is an unneeded command, sit should mean plant your butt and keep it there till commanded to do otherwise.
Get that and "here" down and a good portion of the battle is done.

[Lunatic Fringe]

One bit of advice I haven't seen on here is in regards to upland hunting.  One thing I have learned after training 3 dogs is If you plan on using your dog for pheasants or quail don't worry about hammering the heal command into them until after they have learned to roam out in front of you and hunt.  I have really hammered the obedience into previous dogs early on and then couldn't get them to hunt in front of me.  They would always walk next to me at heal.  I let my latest dog roam first then hammered the heal command after he had already learned to flush birds.  I now have a dog that will hunt upland or waterfowl.  It's a lot easier to teach a dog to heal than it is to teach them to run out in front of you.  My two cents.

[Bullistics]

I apologize if this a little off topic, but I had to put down my 15 year old black lab last winter and  I am  finally feeling ready to get another pup, so my question to you guy's is do you have any particular breeders you would or would not recommend?

[follow maggie]

I got Maggie @ Cougar Creek Labs in Arlington and couldn't be happier. Great house dog, and very good hunter

[ghosthunter]

I apologize if this a little off topic, but I had to put down my 15 year old black lab last winter and  I am  finally feeling ready to get another pup, so my question to you guy's is do you have any particular breeders you would or would not recommend?

Ireland Farms

[bronczilla]

I'm training my lab too, she is now 5 months old and doing great. I have been using Dokken training videos. Great stuff.