My new pup

[New England Native]

This is Fenway my 6 week old yellow lab. I plan on training him for waterfowl. This will be my first time training a dog any tips other than what i've seen on the water dog video?

[bowhunterforever]

Good looking pup you got there!

[Wacenturion]

Get a good book like Water Dog and others.  Start when they are young.....they are like absorbent little brains.  So many make the mistake of waiting till 5 or 6 months to start.  Don't ever go beyond their attention span though when young.  Always quit on a good note, even if it means quitting earlier than you want.  Also remember...they too have their off days...accept it and don't make it work against you by forcing the issue.  There's always another day.

Last but not least...become your dogs best buddy.  They will always want to please you. 

Great looking little lab......years of memories ahead.

[Wacenturion]

Forgot to mention....I have always approached training a hunting dog as doing whatever is necessary to either get the message across or even think in terms of "tricking" the dog into doing what you need it to do.  The better books are loaded with good information, but every dog is different, and you have to be creative at times. 

Once they get it and you are sure they got it, key word being sure here, then don't let them ever get away with doing it the wrong way.  That doesn't mean severe measures such as discipline, but rather patience...go back two steps, reaffirm what is expected.  Be firm but caring.

[luvtohnt]

I used the waterdog series to train my lab and WOW!! I am always getting compliments on how well she turned out. I makes a person really proud to accomplish something like that. I followed the book exactly as it is written. I read the book first, then started back at ch 1 for training. That way if my dog was having a super day we could move on without having to stop and reference the book. Good luck, and enjoy.

Brandon

[Sportfury]

New England Native,

I highly suggest getting Joan Bailey's book "How To Help Gun Dogs Train Themselves". I am reading it now and even though I have trained dogs before I am finding a lot of good advice in her book. Some people might say it is geared towards the versatile breeds, but the information applys to all dogs. I am using in it in training my five month old GWP and can really tell the information is helping me "condition" her better. Another book that my first breeder reccommended, from buying my 8 year old boy, was that I get "The Art of Raising a Puppy" by the Monks of New Skete. I believe that they are from New England or New York. The information contained in this book delves into the pack mentality of the dog and how they react to you. Great book and great information. Combine these two books and Water Dog and you will have a great dog.

[EbrgHunt]

I used the waterdog series to train my lab and WOW!! I am always getting compliments on how well she turned out. I makes a person really proud to accomplish something like that. I followed the book exactly as it is written. I read the book first, then started back at ch 1 for training. That way if my dog was having a super day we could move on without having to stop and reference the book. Good luck, and enjoy.

Brandon

What kind of dog do you have? I am also in Ellensburg and have a year old Female Yellow Lab.  The biggest and most rewarding challenge in my life!

[Curly]

I don't have any tip for you but I just have to say ............he sure is cute.

[PacificNWhunter]

Great color on your lab, cute little guy. Looks like he'll be a good hunter in no time.

[Rowdy]

New England Native,

I highly suggest getting Joan Bailey's book "How To Help Gun Dogs Train Themselves". I am reading it now and even though I have trained dogs before I am finding a lot of good advice in her book. Some people might say it is geared towards the versatile breeds, but the information applys to all dogs. I am using in it in training my five month old GWP and can really tell the information is helping me "condition" her better. Another book that my first breeder reccommended, from buying my 8 year old boy, was that I get "The Art of Raising a Puppy" by the Monks of New Skete. I believe that they are from New England or New York. The information contained in this book delves into the pack mentality of the dog and how they react to you. Great book and great information. Combine these two books and Water Dog and you will have a great dog.

Couldn't agree more although I haven't read Water Dog because I only hunt chukar with my pup but the other two are great books.  "How to help Gun Dogs Train Themselves" is a great foundation for a pup or young dog.  "The art of raising a puppy" is good read for all dog owners, hunting or not.  Take your time and bond with the pup, he looks like he'll be a good one!

JAke

[Cascade]

I used the waterdog series to train my lab and WOW!! I am always getting compliments on how well she turned out. I makes a person really proud to accomplish something like that. I followed the book exactly as it is written.

+2.....my brother and I both used Waterdog by Richard Wolters.  It was really easy to understand and follow.  Our dogs have turned out great.

[benbo30]

i too was a first timer on training , i started off with basic obidience and tried to read books and watch movies , well i have had a hell of a time , taking care of 2 kids beinge married and a hunting dog wow what a day , well i waited till 5 months to into him to birds and he got ahold of the bird and torn it up and anytime i tried to get to him he would run off , big mistake on my part like i said he is my first lab i was planning on training for hunting, big advice get him on birds asap , let him play with them and let him get used to them , 2 weeks ago i made a decision long thought one , to send him to lee salmon of wind river labs for training

[Smokepole]

I have had labs for years.  I ruined my first couple.  Then I read Water Dog by Wolters.  We have two labs now and they're like babies to us.  They do whatever we want them to, and the youngest is a great hunter and retriever. 

You got yourself one heck of a nice looking pup.  Enjoy!

Smokepole

[New England Native]

Thanks all for the advice. I too have two daughters one is 4 the other 5mo. and now Fenway. It makes for a long day taking care of all three. I plan on starting next week on the training. (start em young) hopefully I will have a well developed dog come duck season. I will keep everyone updated on how it goes.

[Pathfinder101]

Nice looking pup