WHERE/HOW DO I START?

[low97ram]

OK... I have no clue where to or how to start training my lab to be my bird (waterfowl) dog, pretty much a beginner when it comes to this.  i know i'm a bit behind the power curve and should have started YEARS ago...but she is 2, almost 3, and i'm just now getting the time to put in to get her going for next year (thank you military).  i want to take her with me this year but i'm afraid all she'll do is jump in the water and scare everything.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Pete

[EastWaViking]

I read this book and it helped me.  But it is geared towards starting a pup.  Maybe just read it and try to make it work with your 3 year old dog?

Good luck!

http://www.amazon.com/Water-Dog-Revolutionary-Training-Method/dp/0525247343

[TEX-X]

I got a shorthair when he was two from a friend.... i trained him (versatile) using the delmar smith book....one of the better pups i've had...he has the biggest prey drive i've ever seen. look for books.... and then check their ratings on amazon...  good luck

[low97ram]

thanks guys...hopefully they're the "bird dog training for dummies" kind...lol

[TEX-X]

might seem a little overwhelming at first.... but train your first dog and you'll catch the bug... next thing you know people will swear up and down you own and operate a pound 

[Birdguy]

Have you ever shot around her? Is she from hunting lines or backyard type, instinct is an amazing thing in hunting dogs. If you have any basic obedience on her I bet you will be supprised. I would certainly have her retrieving ducks (frozen or wings) in the yard and maybe a lake before you take her out. Then I would say to take the dog out. Pick a day you will be hunting close to home and see how she does. There maybe some great times for you and her this season yet .

[low97ram]

i think she's more of the house pet.  we got her from friends when she was a pup and not sure if the parents ever did any hunting.  i think her instincts are in tact because she runs to water to chase ducks swimming and stops to find the geese at the house when they fly over.  last year every time i brought ducks home i put them on the ground and she picked them up to carry around so hopefully that's a good sign.

took her out to kapowsin this morning and she tried to swim after a cormerant that was swimming out about 50 yrds.  it's just she is so easily distracted that i think it's gonna be a long process.

thanks for the help though.

[Copperwood]

http://longhollowretrievers.com/. Best trainer in Washington

[gasman]

Talk with Cind or Bryant, they are in your area, and he does one on one training with me and my dogs.

http://www.rockingmlabs.com/

[low97ram]

gas...you just now replied to this and i talked to you about those guys 2 months ago?      LOL...just giving you a hard time.

ya i saw Bryant at the sportsmans show.  he was really busy with a few guys but i'm taking my dog out there sometime within the next two months just like you suggested.  gonna see what he has to say.  hope it's not too late to start her.  military keeps me pretty busy so i got some dvd's, books, etc....and looking in to e-collars and trying to get with her some each day.  i did take a few birds from the last weekend i hunted and put the wings on her bumper, and around the yard to help her with the scent. 

thanks though for all the advice.  better late than never i guess.

pete

[gasman]

gas...you just now replied to this and i talked to you about those guys 2 months ago?      LOL...just giving you a hard time.

ya i saw Bryant at the sportsmans show.  he was really busy with a few guys but i'm taking my dog out there sometime within the next two months just like you suggested.  gonna see what he has to say.  hope it's not too late to start her.  military keeps me pretty busy so i got some dvd's, books, etc....and looking in to e-collars and trying to get with her some each day.  i did take a few birds from the last weekend i hunted and put the wings on her bumper, and around the yard to help her with the scent. 

thanks though for all the advice.  better late than never i guess.

pete

I am a bit slow, i am blonde you know 
I often  suffer from CRS (Can't Remember *censored*)

they are good people and we sat withthem at the sportsmens show for a while and wondered around with th pups the brought. those pups are "chick magnets" 

Pete