Retriever training help

[Woodduck Commander]

Just wondering if there are any secrets y'all may know... I've got a yellow lab, she is about 5-6 months old. I have her retrieving and she listens very well and is starting to get used to hand signs... But I still have trouble getting her to sit still until I tell her to go. Anyone know any way to correct this?? And any other training tips... Thanks for your help.

[yak'em-n-stack'em]

an 8 foot rope tied to a stake by your foot.

if she takes off, she will quickly find out that she should not do that anymore

[Bluechip]

Take her back to the basics....sit, stay......and a check cord will help also.......

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by yak'em-n-stack'em

an 8 foot rope tied to a stake by your foot.

if she takes off, she will quickly find out that she should not do that anymore

6 mos is too early to steady a dog, don't worry about it right now. Develop the dogs marking and desire while continuing O/B. Find someone that will throw marks for you since hand throwing from your side is not training just playing. If you can travel, come to LC on a Sat morning and train with me. There are plenty of DVD's out there that will help explain the process and worth the money. If you have any book that starts with "Waterdog" chunk it in the garbage. PM me if you are serious about this adventure with training.

Regards,

Raymond

[Kenner18]

Raymond what training book and or DVD would you recommend instead of waterdog? I trained my first Lab from it and currrently starting on my second one ,any help would be great .

[Ducktrickster]

Originally Posted by Kenner18

Raymond what training book and or DVD would you recommend instead of waterdog? I trained my first Lab from it and currrently starting on my second one ,any help would be great .

Evan Graham's Gundog Essentials is a nice DVD for hunting dogs. Use information here and things that have worked for you in the past to create the dog that you'd like to hunt with. There is no substitute for experience. Find some local guys that train regularly, latch on to them and learn as much as possible.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Kenner18

Raymond what training book and or DVD would you recommend instead of waterdog? I trained my first Lab from it and currrently starting on my second one ,any help would be great .

I think I have a book you can borrow. I have to check and see if I still got it.
Training Your Retriever by James Free. He had several national retriever champion dogs.
I get home Tues evening. If you leave me a PM, I will look for it when I get home.

[Raymond]

Total Retriever Training by Mike Lardy, it has been updated recently and has the best videography of any DVD on the market. Might be able to find a used copy for cheaper by going to retrievertraining.net and searching the classifieds. Danny Farmer also has some good stuff that is very current. I like Graham but find his videography to be lacking. No matter who you decide to follow, make sure you watch them multiple times to get the full effect. You will pick up tiny nuances with each viewing that will help.
I second finding local help that knows what they are doing, PM me if you want someone close to you that would trade your help for theirs.


Good Luck

[jlincecum]

Also remember she's still a puppy. Still need to make things fun for her and be careful with the punishments.

[Ducktrickster]

Originally Posted by jlincecum

Also remember she's still a puppy. Still need to make things fun for her and be careful with the punishments.

I agree totally. The problem is that the dog doesn't know that sit means sit and stay seated until I release you. Back to basics. Reteach sit and do it with reinforce it with distractions. Have kids or other animals playing. Toss some bumpers and don't let him get them. There are numerous ways to achieve this. When throwing bumpers keep thge animal on tight lead...let the dogs know what you expect and what the right way to act is as tricking him with a loose lead. Good luck.

[H2OFwlKlr]

Originally Posted by Ducktrickster

I agree totally. The problem is that the dog doesn't know that sit means sit and stay seated until I release you. Back to basics. Reteach sit and do it with reinforce it with distractions. Have kids or other animals playing. Toss some bumpers and don't let him get them. There are numerous ways to achieve this. When throwing bumpers keep thge animal on tight lead...let the dogs know what you expect and what the right way to act is as tricking him with a loose lead. Good luck.

Agree 100%

Gotta like that avatar!

[Asterisk-Rich]

I am a firm believer in the beatdown approach....

[adamsfence]

Originally Posted by Asterisk-Rich

I am a firm believer in the beatdown approach....

x2

[Ducktrickster]

Originally Posted by Asterisk-Rich

I am a firm believer in the beatdown approach....

Great for a seasoned retriever that is intentionally giving you the finger. Horrible for a young dog that may not know better.

[goldenrod]

What are those black dots on your avatar?:d

[Ducktrickster]

Originally Posted by goldenrod

What are those black dots on your avatar?:d

Location disguisers.

[Feesherman]

Originally Posted by goldenrod

What are those black dots on your avatar?:d

Hahahahah, he colored over all the seagullls.

[Ray]

6 months is not too early, in my opinion.
If they don't have good obedience, they will not be good duck dogs.
They have to listen to be a good hunting dog.

The other Raymond.

[Wag]

Originally Posted by Ray

6 months is not too early, in my opinion.
If they don't have good obedience, they will not be good duck dogs.
They have to listen to be a good hunting dog.

The other Raymond.

+1

[Feesherman]

Originally Posted by Ray

6 months is not too early, in my opinion.
If they don't have good obedience, they will not be good duck dogs.
They have to listen to be a good hunting dog.

The other Raymond.

You misunderstood. 6 months is the time for obedience, you are right. But it is way way too early to steady the dog and way too early for hand signals. At 6 mos, you should be working on nothing but obedience. The retrieving at 6 mos should be fun stuff. Not long marks, hand signals or double and triple work. Too early. Go slow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!