- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
OBers with retrievers
Posted on 6/26/12 at 10:08 pm
Posted on 6/26/12 at 10:08 pm
How did you go about training yours, or did you send it off to a pro to train (if so how much $)?
I'm attempting to train my boykin pup (6 months next week) and am looking for thoughts, ideas, opinions, etc. I've been hanging around a bunch of retriever forums and gathering info, and also have read a bunch of books and dvd's, so I've got a pretty good idea where to go, but i thought this place may have a different perspective on going about training.
Was there a particular plan/program you used or any hints that you could give?
This is my pup's dad. I dont have a pic of my pup to give, but he's looking a lot like his father
I'm attempting to train my boykin pup (6 months next week) and am looking for thoughts, ideas, opinions, etc. I've been hanging around a bunch of retriever forums and gathering info, and also have read a bunch of books and dvd's, so I've got a pretty good idea where to go, but i thought this place may have a different perspective on going about training.
Was there a particular plan/program you used or any hints that you could give?
This is my pup's dad. I dont have a pic of my pup to give, but he's looking a lot like his father
8
Posted on 6/26/12 at 10:17 pm to fillmoregandt
I just told her this is my house and if you want to live here for free you better retireve me a beer and and a samich!
Posted on 6/26/12 at 10:20 pm to Bleeding purple
How'd she handle that shock collar? 
Posted on 6/26/12 at 10:31 pm to fillmoregandt
Are you training for duck hunting?
Posted on 6/27/12 at 1:42 am to fillmoregandt
[link=( https://www.amazon.com/Water-Dog-Revolutionary-Training-Method/dp/0525247343/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340779211&sr=8-1&keywords=waterdog)] Purchase it for 17 bucks[/link]
Seriously. Read some of the reviews.
quote:
I have been training dogs for 20 years and this book was my trainer. Learning how to be a trainer is the start to a great dog and freind for life. The first time I read this book I knew that Mr. Wolters had put his time in and worked at it with love for the breed. The best thing you can do for a freind that is going to buy a Lab is give him your book to get started in the right direction.
quote:
I found WATER DOG in a used book store while searching for a good training manual for my son-in-law to use with his new lab, Allie. My wife has not yet mailed the book to him because I am in the middle of reading it. I am so fascinated by the techniques and theories of Mr. Wolters that I may go out and get a dog just so I can experience the thrill of a well-trained water dog for myself.
quote:
I just purchased my first lab, and was not sure on which way to start retrieving training. While, this is the book you want! I talked to many guys and gals on the message boards and chat groups and every trainer and owner I talked to also recommends this book!
[link=( https://www.amazon.com/Water-Dog-Revolutionary-Training-Method/product-reviews/0525247343/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1)] Customer Reviews of the book, "The Water Dog".[/link]
Posted on 6/27/12 at 1:42 am to gptigerfan
I read a few books, one of the better ones being Training Your Retriever by James Lamb Free. Watched a video or two.
In the end, I just mushed them all together and did what I felt like doing. Never followed any strict guidelines, just general ideas.
Between 4 and 6 months is the perfect time to start on the intermediate stuff. Getting them to sit, lay down, etc should take a week or two. The rest you will have to work on by breaking it up each week, and then having a review of the old stuff every day before you start the new training.
A lot of people have their own styles, but you have to judge what works for your dog. For mine, a shock collar just made him piss all over the place so he got backhanded instead. I couldn't ask him to be any better now.
ETA, I also read that Water Dog book. A buddy loaned it to me and I forgot I read it
In the end, I just mushed them all together and did what I felt like doing. Never followed any strict guidelines, just general ideas.
Between 4 and 6 months is the perfect time to start on the intermediate stuff. Getting them to sit, lay down, etc should take a week or two. The rest you will have to work on by breaking it up each week, and then having a review of the old stuff every day before you start the new training.
A lot of people have their own styles, but you have to judge what works for your dog. For mine, a shock collar just made him piss all over the place so he got backhanded instead. I couldn't ask him to be any better now.
ETA, I also read that Water Dog book. A buddy loaned it to me and I forgot I read it
This post was edited on 6/27/12 at 2:08 am
Posted on 6/27/12 at 1:57 am to Hammertime
The water dog and any modern force fetch book are a must read. If you are going to train the dog yourself you really need to know what you are getting into and be mentally prepared for just about all circumstances. Always end the day on a good note and don't have to much pride to ask for help.
Posted on 6/27/12 at 6:01 am to LouisianaChessie
I had trained 3 dogs in my life time for duck hunting. I did read water dog and found that it had some good ideas as a base for training.
One of the biggest things is that I have found is that it is never to early to start full trainning. Each dog is different and one has find what each dog makes it tick.
Once you get to the 6 month age, the dog should be working down birds somewhat.
Another thing that helps is were you are working the dog at. Living in a city, just blows when it comes to trainning. One can't use a gun at a early age of the dog. Having a pond to work a dog helps. Room for the dog to run is a must. There are so many ways to train, so good luck.
One of the biggest things is that I have found is that it is never to early to start full trainning. Each dog is different and one has find what each dog makes it tick.
Once you get to the 6 month age, the dog should be working down birds somewhat.
Another thing that helps is were you are working the dog at. Living in a city, just blows when it comes to trainning. One can't use a gun at a early age of the dog. Having a pond to work a dog helps. Room for the dog to run is a must. There are so many ways to train, so good luck.
Posted on 6/27/12 at 6:35 am to fillmoregandt
Posted on 6/27/12 at 7:30 am to Choirboy
If you have time and the desire to do it yourself join your local hrc. (hunting reteriver club) google it. Those clubs are made up of a lot of pros who are looking for people to help them. In return you will get all the tips you need, gauarentee. Also if you are attempting to do it yourself by book water dog ok if you just want a causal duck hunter. It you want a dog you can run in hrc test or one your friends will brag about you need to find something that talks about force fetch. And now is about the time to start that.
Posted on 6/27/12 at 7:44 am to jmkidder
Almost a whole page without a waterdog hater.....can't believe this. Normally someone would have ripped the book and the author by now.
It's the only book I've used with my 3yr old black. Buddy let me borrow the DVD that runs hand in hand with the book, not that helpful IMO. I used this book and picked up hints and tricks from other trainers I've worked with.
To me this book is what you make it, you can use it to get the basics down and be happy or you can go all out and really get down to the nitty gritty.
Don't rush the training and if you start getting aggravated remember its supposed to be a game to your dog, they can pick up on you being pissed, then they won't work at all.
It's the only book I've used with my 3yr old black. Buddy let me borrow the DVD that runs hand in hand with the book, not that helpful IMO. I used this book and picked up hints and tricks from other trainers I've worked with.
To me this book is what you make it, you can use it to get the basics down and be happy or you can go all out and really get down to the nitty gritty.
Don't rush the training and if you start getting aggravated remember its supposed to be a game to your dog, they can pick up on you being pissed, then they won't work at all.
Posted on 6/27/12 at 8:35 am to GetMoney11
quote:
Almost a whole page without a waterdog hater.....can't believe this.
Yeah, most retriever forums vilify Waterdog to no end. I agree some of the author's methods are outdated and the timelines in the book are unrealistic, but it does give a good basic understanding that you can use down the road.
I've read Waterdog and 10Minute Retriever. I'm following the Fowl Dog program so far, and a friend gave me some of the Smartworks and Lardy stuff. And I joined the North Alabama HRC so that will also give me some guidance.
I've got the materials and the understanding, now I'm just trying to tie it all together. He just finished losing his puppy teeth, so I feel like now it the time to get a little more serious about everything.
How did y'all go from the puppy retrieving to more serious stuff? For example, how much time would you put into practicing on land versus in water? I normally don't have anyone else to join me, so what are some ways to train without someone else to throw birds/bumpers for him
Posted on 6/27/12 at 9:34 am to fillmoregandt
Finish dogs is also a good book. It doesn't bounce around like water dogs
Posted on 6/27/12 at 9:54 am to MSG
Like I said water dog is a decent book if you just want a hunting dog to go and pick up your dead ducks. But if your looking for a posished reteriver and if you want to get all the potential out of your dog, read up on force fetching. I not recommending any other book because it has been a while since I had to read up on training. Best thing I can say is find someone w some experience in training that's willing to help, local hrc should be full of these people
Posted on 6/27/12 at 10:06 am to fillmoregandt
My lab trained hisself pretty much.
Took him on his first hunt at 8 months old with a trained lab & let him watch. Made his first retrieve that day & has been doing it ever since. He is now 9 years old.
Took him on his first hunt at 8 months old with a trained lab & let him watch. Made his first retrieve that day & has been doing it ever since. He is now 9 years old.
Posted on 6/27/12 at 11:25 am to fillmoregandt
Used Water Dog with my first lab. It's a good book but definately not my favorite.
I would recommend 10 minute retriever by Amy Dahl
Or The Working Retriever by Tom Quinn.
I have used the last two books with my current dog. 10 minute retriever is my favorite and it's got good technique and easy to understand. Water Dog can get dull IMO
I would recommend 10 minute retriever by Amy Dahl
Or The Working Retriever by Tom Quinn.
I have used the last two books with my current dog. 10 minute retriever is my favorite and it's got good technique and easy to understand. Water Dog can get dull IMO
Posted on 6/27/12 at 3:15 pm to tigerzballzdeep
Puppy training vs real stuff...
If it is retrieving well just focus strictly on obedience until it is flawless. Sit, stay, heel, whistle training, etc. You have to keep it interesting for the dog.
Then you get into the more difficult stuff, HOLD, force fetching, blinds, hand signals...all that is where it gets fun.
As far as the land vs water:
Work on fundamentals on land, once they are working well go into the water.
If it is retrieving well just focus strictly on obedience until it is flawless. Sit, stay, heel, whistle training, etc. You have to keep it interesting for the dog.
Then you get into the more difficult stuff, HOLD, force fetching, blinds, hand signals...all that is where it gets fun.
As far as the land vs water:
Work on fundamentals on land, once they are working well go into the water.
Posted on 6/27/12 at 3:28 pm to fillmoregandt
Robert Milners Book - A back to the basics approach. He believes in positive training. I got my dog from his kennel. Duckhillskennel.com is a great place to go. Their forum is great and Robert will answer your questions and concerns about training.
I have been training my dog for almost 1 1/2 years. His first season was last year and he picked up over 100 ducks.
His book is a great read and easy step by step instruction.
Good luck.
I have been training my dog for almost 1 1/2 years. His first season was last year and he picked up over 100 ducks.
His book is a great read and easy step by step instruction.
Good luck.
Posted on 6/27/12 at 3:40 pm to GetMoney11
My lab is almost 15 mths now. He has been pretty great and pretty easy to train. He picked up sitting on a whistle much better as he got older.
He's really close. He's really picked up on hand signals lately. Just have to keep at it.
He's my first hunting dog and I read water dog and Roblert Milner's Back to basics.
They're both good but I prefer Milner's though that might be because I've talked with him several times.
He's really close. He's really picked up on hand signals lately. Just have to keep at it.
He's my first hunting dog and I read water dog and Roblert Milner's Back to basics.
They're both good but I prefer Milner's though that might be because I've talked with him several times.
Posted on 6/27/12 at 5:09 pm to bbvdd
Man I miss my Boykin! They are awesome dogs! I had mine for 17 years. I will get another one day.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News