re: Dog training help - teaching a retriever to hold after retrieve

I work with high end hunting labs, training and breeding. A few observations the shock collar is probably one of the best tools available to professional trainers. In the hands of an amateurs it is the worst tool available.

It is important that if you plan on using a shock collar you get training from a professional. I was introduced to a collar by a professional who let me handle 12 of his dogs in training. He held the transmitter and was right behind me. After I ran the last dog he asked me how many dogs were shocked. I answered "none" because I saw no evidence of any unusual behavior. His response was "actually three were shocked". Big lesson learned

As someone mentioned join a retriever club and let them help. There are several stages in a dogs training where it is very hard for an amateur to complete a task by reading a book or watching a DVD. FF is one of those task, pay a pro to do it for you.