re: Update pup is here! I think I've found my new pup!

That would be an awesome help! I'm definitely on the lookout for some used training material. Also for some mentors that can help me through some problems.

I just contacted the pontchartain hunting retriever club and will most likely go to watch their hunt test oct 28/29.

I will take any tips advice and help with open arms

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EDIT: my anecdotal experience has been that breeders who go to this much effort (testing, extensive pedigree, very transparent about the bloodline) also produce dogs who perform well.

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I thought so too... then I brought my currently 9 month old yellow female to the trainer.

Let's just say some apples fall farther from the tree than others.

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Can you explain this? I get using the name, but shouldn't "No" be reserved for when she does something wrong?

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I need refresh my memory on this, but it is something Mike Stewart preaches in training.

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Another item to add would be limiting hand thrown bumpers and fun bumpers.

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No bumpers are hand thrown or "fun" after 6 months. They are all memory retrieves.

I recently bought Danny Farmer and Judy Aycock's "Retriever Training Basics" and "Problems and Solutions" DVDs. I don't think there are many videos out there that do a much better job of explaining each step. My lab is 4 years old and pretty much a finished product, so I tend to mostly use the problems and solutions video to correct bad habits. I have used the basic training DVD, though, to help some family with training their new puppies. I know there are many training videos, books, and techniques out there, but I really found these DVDs helpful.

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The trainer he's at now told us he's not sure what dog the first trainer was looking at because drive is not an issue with this dog.

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That's why I could never turn my dog over to a trainer. I am too picky in what I want my dogs to do or trust completely what they are telling me (pros or cons). Plus, I know that I am the one working my dog and not some assistant or hired help.

Plus, they are so damn expensive now. I ran the math before I decided to get my current YLF and was like screw that. I would have just got a Started dog for that kind of $$$$ and then I would have seen a finished product before buying. The only reason I didn't go that direction is that I am about to breed my dog with a stud YLM and keep hopefully get a liter of for sure workhorse Labs.

I understand completely. I'm just getting into duck hunting and don't know jack about training one. I'm reading everything I can get my hands one. I realize I've spent a butt load on my dog but honestly, if it weren't for the first trainer, it wouldn't have been so bad. If I ever do it again, I'll take a crack at it though.

Lot's of good points on here. My two cents:

-Pedigree certainly matters. But it's not everything. My current lab I found in the classifieds of the advocate for $250, he has far and away been the best dog I have ever had.

-Be patient, very very patient. Most labs want to learn and please you but they have a learning curve just like anything else. I have seen many people lose their shite when their pup can't take hand signals after a week.

-Take feedback from the dog: You can read about force fetch or not, shock collar or not etc. till you are blue in the face. Sometimes you have to see how the dog responds to different things. I was struggling with mine, I talked to a trainer friend of mine and he advised to stop using the shock collar alltogether. It was night and day, I guess the shock spooked the hell out of him and all other training went out the window.

-Most of all enjoy. Having a puppy can be frustrating at times but extremely rewarding by developing that bond from jump. The relationship with your hunting dog is priceless.

plus a couple pics cause I couldn't resist

Looks like a great choice. I have a Gsp and he awesome

Driving home with "Gracie" now. Boy Arkansas is a long drive. But she makes it easy all she wants to do is sleep on my lap. She had a nice little exploration in hot springs.

She is an eating machine! Little piglet was the biggest of the litter.

I have met and trained with both Bill Hillman and Mike Lardy. Both have an unbelievable amount of knowledge on training and an uncanny ability to read a dog. I would say that the 2 have training philosophies that should blend nicely. You sure picked a cute one. Good luck