Training My Lab Puppy

[Valkyrie]

She’s a field Lab and is 14 weeks old. I got her at seven weeks. Her pedigree is impressive. Her parents and grand parents on both sides are all award winning hunters. She’s very smart and has the basic commands of sit, stay and come, down very well, except when she’s really hyped up. House training is about done though again, when she’s excited she tends to have an issue with holding her bladder. But overall she’s an amazing dog and she’s is my best buddy.

I plan to hunt her and I haven’t trained a gun dog in 25 years. In fact, this is my first dog in 25 years. I had springers before I joined the navy and hunted them and they were great. I have her retrieving a training dummy with pheasant wings zip tied to it and she will do that for hours on end if I wanted and she delivers to hand. I started hiding it in the bushes and landscaping around the yard and she is learning to use her nose to find it and she’s doing really well. She’s not gun shy and she is being socialized well. She loves the truck and people and other dogs.

I guess I am asking is whats next and what should I be doing at this point?

 

[benelli-banger]

She’s doing great! Congrats! I have a 7 month old female lab, along with my 2 older female labs. My goal during their “puppy season” is to have fun…and to create a dog that’s excited by birds. I might hunt her with a 10’ check cord for control if needed, but maybe it’s not necessary in her case. If she’s not bothered by gunshot, and she’s intrigued and excited by birds, and likes to explore with you/for you, and will help find downed birds, I’d say you’re checking all the boxes! I’m not a highly regarded trainer, but I’ve had labs for 30+ years, and they’ve helped me shoot and retrieve thousands of pheasants…I focus on keeping my dogs in range, empowering them to locate my downed birds, and not be hard mouthed on them…I keep it pretty simple. Good luck, have fun! Adding this: go find a field of grass a few feet tall, and wander…use the wind and plant your bumper here and there and watch her when that scent cone collides with her nose as you work into the wind…she’ll get the idea that fun things may be out there if she traipses around with you…you could buy some pheasant scent to kick the fun up a notch or two with your winged dummy…

 

[Valkyrie]

Thanks! I had her out a couple days ago at my place and the grass and stuff is a little much for her. She really tries to plow through it but she’s a little girl at 15lbs but she doesn’t give up. She likes to stay close and is very curious. She loves to play fetch. And everything is fun. I taught her to ring the bells at the door when she needs to go out but she figured that is good to do when she wants out to go play.

 

[benelli-banger]

Thanks! I had her out a couple days ago at my place and the grass and stuff is a little much for her. She really tries to plow through it but she’s a little girl at 15lbs but she doesn’t give up. She likes to stay close and is very curious. She loves to play fetch. And everything is fun. I taught her to ring the bells at the door when she needs to go out but she figured that is good to do when she wants out to go play.

Nice! Find shorter grass…the height of the rough on a golf course…keep it easy…as she grows, walk in slightly taller grass…enjoy! Sounds like you are…

 

[LCR10A]

Training the pointing Labrador by Julie Knutson (Bates) and her podcast Training the pointing Labrador are both good resources whether your dog points or not.

 

[Goosemaster]

All you have to do is hunt a lot.Your dog will figure it out.

 

[westksbowhunter]

In my opinion, she will be too young to hunt this fall. But I like my dogs to be through a formal training program before hunting. A puppy is generally reading for training to begin at 6-7 months and it takes 3 months for Obedience, Collar Conditioning, and Force Fetch. I always get a puppy that is born January-March so that after basic training they are around 10 months to a year old come November which is the perfect age to get them started hunting.

 

[benelli-banger]

I’m no expert, but the old gal sitting next to me right now in my van was born 5/22, she was with me sharpie hunting in mid-Sept back in 2015…she enjoyed being afield with me and my other dogs and I. She was also with in October pheasant hunting, and was productive as fall progressed. If she’s good with gunshot, I’d bring her, maybe not an all day death march…shorter walks…intermediate walks..I think birds at that age are a really good thing. I may be the only one who feels this way, but I like the “puppy season” for young dogs to judiciously intro them to the whole experience, but mainly scent, flushes, downed birds, the search, the retrieve…even if other dogs are doing the heavy lifting. Making it all fun is my approach.

 

[westksbowhunter]

I’m no expert, but the old gal sitting next to me right now in my van was born 5/22, she was with me sharpie hunting in mid-Sept back in 2015…she enjoyed being afield with me and my other dogs and I. She was also with in October pheasant hunting, and was productive as fall progressed. If she’s good with gunshot, I’d bring her, maybe not an all day death march…shorter walks…intermediate walks..I think birds at that age are a really good thing. I may be the only one who feels this way, but I like the “puppy season” for young dogs to judiciously intro them to the whole experience, but mainly scent, flushes, downed birds, the search, the retrieve…even if other dogs are doing the heavy lifting. Making it all fun is my approach.

You right, they need birds. That's why I start my pups on clipped wing and dead pigeons at 8 weeks of age and they get them weekly up til the point they are ready for formal training at 6-7 months. Here are a few good threads from some fellows that know how to train dogs and when they start hunting them. They take dogs to the MH and FC levels. Quality professional trainers don't take pups in for formal training until 6 months of age for a reason. It's up to each owner to make that decision as to what age to begin hunting a pup, but everyone's definition of what a hunting dog should look like in the field is different.

When did your dog hunt first?

Im sure I'll get some smoke on this one but I was just thinking about it earlier and was just curious... My dog was born on December 8th and I was thinking that ill probably wait until the 2017-18 season to hunt her depending on where she is in training by the time season comes to a close this...

www.retrievertraining.net

What age do you start hunting your dog?

I hear a lot of people say they do not hunt their dog until they are at least two years of age. I believe if the dog has been introduced to everything he will see on a typical hunt you would be able to take them on a controlled hunt at a much earlier age. My previous pup was in the blind with...

www.retrievertraining.net

Age of first hunt.

Just curious at what age do most people take their dog on it's first hunt. I know a lot depends on the dog and it's maturity. My last dog's first hunt was when she was 10 months old. She was ready for it though. My new dog (male) is coming along nicely but he is only 5 months. He has a long way...

www.retrievertraining.net

What age to hunt?

I will be getting a lab in a month and was wondering at what age to start hunting him? He will be 5 or 6 months old when dove season gets here, is that to young?

www.retrievertraining.net

 

[Valkyrie]

Great stuff guys. Keep it coming!!

 

[benelli-banger]

You’ve shot around her? She’s retrieving dummies with wings? My definition of “hunting” could be someone else’s training session…semantics, really. You’d have to tie me up or tranquilize me or both to keep me from taking a 5 or 6 month old pup that’s been conditioned to gunshot and has already had some exposure to birds or feathers into the field for ruffs or sharpies in the early fall. Maybe not pheasants, for fear of a strong cripple hurting the pup. I’m amazed, however, that I do lots of things incorrectly! Just learning things at 59! Again, my “hunting” with a young dog may not be too different than another guys’ “training session”.

 

[Valkyrie]

You’ve shot around her? She’s retrieving dummies with wings? My definition of “hunting” could be someone else’s training session…semantics, really. You’d have to tie me up or tranquilize me or both to keep me from taking a 5 or 6 month old pup that’s been conditioned to gunshot and has already had some exposure to birds or feathers into the field for ruffs or sharpies in the early fall. Maybe not pheasants, for fear of a strong cripple hurting the pup. I’m amazed, however, that I do lots of things incorrectly! Just learning things at 59! Again, my “hunting” with a young dog may not be too different than another guys’ “training session”.

Yes. I shoot around her almost every day. She barely acknowledges it. If she’s got a chew toy she doesn’t even pay attention. In fact, she cases my ejected shells from my O/u to chew on.

As far as retrieving. It actually tiring because everything is retrieving. At 10pm and watching Tv. She want me to throw her chew toy to play fetch with in the living room. Wake up in the morning. Let’s play fetch. She’s like a robot lol.

 

[Matt D]

I agree that I would have no issue getting her out on some birds this fall.

 

[gps4]

I first introduced my lab to untethered quail at 24wks/6months. I stood in the middle of a hay field and threw 3 quail up in the air (1 at a time) and watched where they landed. Then I went and turned her out of her kennel. I would walk in the general direction of where the birds landed, and she found each one on her own. Once we had those third back in hand, I did it again with 3 more. Based on the first few times I had her out with flight birds, I would have taken her on my trip to SD if she had been 6 months during open season, if for no other reason than to try to get her some encounters with wild birds.

Our first road trip Hunt together involved 3 days of public land by ourselves before we met up with our group for the annual guided hunt. A great way for us to learn the ropes with just us and not ruining anyone else’s hunt.

 

[westksbowhunter]

You’ve shot around her? She’s retrieving dummies with wings? My definition of “hunting” could be someone else’s training session…semantics, really. You’d have to tie me up or tranquilize me or both to keep me from taking a 5 or 6 month old pup that’s been conditioned to gunshot and has already had some exposure to birds or feathers into the field for ruffs or sharpies in the early fall. Maybe not pheasants, for fear of a strong cripple hurting the pup. I’m amazed, however, that I do lots of things incorrectly! Just learning things at 59! Again, my “hunting” with a young dog may not be too different than another guys’ “training session”.

I prefer to have my dog obedient off lead, collar conditioned, and force fetched before hunting in the field. I also like them steady to shot, which doesn't happen until after OB, CC, and FF. Mostly for the safety of the dog. And like I said, that is all done by 10 months of age which is when I like to start hunting them. Training isn't done in the field, it is done in a controlled environment so the definition is most definitely different. You will have a much more reliable retriever that way. And you said it best, when you mentioned pheasant hunting and a young pup getting spurred. A force fetched 10 month old won't have any problems.

 

[benelli-banger]

I prefer to have my dog obedient off lead, collar conditioned, and force fetched before hunting in the field. I also like them steady to shot, which doesn't happen until after OB, CC, and FF. Mostly for the safety of the dog. And like I said, that is all done by 10 months of age which is when I like to start hunting them. Training isn't done in the field, it is done in a controlled environment so the definition is most definitely different. You will have a much more reliable retriever that way. And you said it best, when you mentioned pheasant hunting and a young pup getting spurred. A force fetched 10 month old won't have any problems.

My dogs aren’t like yours, that I know! That’s a compliment to you. But we manage…hunting 45+ days in the Dakota’s each season, we have lots of fun, and manage to shoot a few…I’ll be in ND as of this coming weekend with my 7 month old pup as well as my 2 older dogs…I love the country and cover, and the whole experience hunting the prairie in Sept for sharpies and huns…love exposing the pups to it all…I don’t think my dogs ever get to the point yours do at 10 months or a year…I’m a slacker! But we have fun…mine generally excel at finding downed birds, which is maybe the most important thing to me…over the years, I’ve quit trying to handle them much when a bird is down…I’m consistently surprised where the dogs end up when coming back with the bird…I guess in reality I’m never surprised, knowing how crafty and tough and unpredictable roosters are…

 

[westksbowhunter]

My dogs aren’t like yours, that I know! That’s a compliment to you. But we manage…hunting 45+ days in the Dakota’s each season, we have lots of fun, and manage to shoot a few…I’ll be in ND as of this coming weekend with my 7 month old pup as well as my 2 older dogs…I love the country and cover, and the whole experience hunting the prairie in Sept for sharpies and huns…love exposing the pups to it all…I don’t think my dogs ever get to the point yours do at 10 months or a year…I’m a slacker! But we have fun…mine generally excel at finding downed birds, which is maybe the most important thing to me…over the years, I’ve quit trying to handle them much when a bird is down…I’m consistently surprised where the dogs end up when coming back with the bird…I guess in reality I’m never surprised, knowing how crafty and tough and unpredictable roosters are…

I certainly believe in hunting them at a young age, which is why I like to get a puppy Jan.-March. I won't buy one any other time. It makes it perfect to get them into the hunting field before they are a year old. I hunt about 45 days myself each year. My old female is 11 and I am planning on getting a puppy after the first of the year. Just looking for the perfect litter to get a deposit on. I think I may have found one that will whelp in mid November, which be ready to pick out the first or second of January. That pup will be 10 months old come dove season. It also puts the training time frame for basics around May 1st. Perfect weather for getting a young pup into the water. And that pup will have the basics completed in August. I will do all the basic puppy training then send the dog to Flatlander Kennels in Nebraska. Hopefully the pup has the ability to run in the hunt test game. It is just my belief that we owe it to the dogs to bring out the best in their ability. That happens by following a specific training program tailored to the way the dog hunts. In every scenario, the dog needs to have the basics completed before going a field. That establishes who is the alpha while in the field and puts the dog under control for success. To me it is like going to training camp before playing a game.

 

[benelli-banger]

I certainly believe in hunting them at a young age, which is why I like to get a puppy Jan.-March. I won't buy one any other time. It makes it perfect to get them into the hunting field before they are a year old. I hunt about 45 days myself each year. My old female is 11 and I am planning on getting a puppy after the first of the year. Just looking for the perfect litter to get a deposit on. I think I may have found one that will whelp in mid November, which be ready to pick out the first or second of January. That pup will be 10 months old come dove season. It also puts the training time frame for basics around May 1st. Perfect weather for getting a young pup into the water. And that pup will have the basics completed in August. I will do all the basic puppy training then send the dog to Flatlander Kennels in Nebraska. Hopefully the pup has the ability to run in the hunt test game.

Good plan…hope it works out!

 

[benelli-banger]

My 7 month old pup just spent a month with the breeder/trainer i got her from (high caliber labs) and she’ll spend 2 months next spring there as well…my older dogs spent 2 months there as well at 1-1.5 years old…i think it helps a good deal, i probably don’t reinforce the way i should…

 

[Quailnerd]

I certainly believe in hunting them at a young age, which is why I like to get a puppy Jan.-March. I won't buy one any other time. It makes it perfect to get them into the hunting field before they are a year old. I hunt about 45 days myself each year. My old female is 11 and I am planning on getting a puppy after the first of the year. Just looking for the perfect litter to get a deposit on. I think I may have found one that will whelp in mid November, which be ready to pick out the first or second of January. That pup will be 10 months old come dove season. It also puts the training time frame for basics around May 1st. Perfect weather for getting a young pup into the water. And that pup will have the basics completed in August. I will do all the basic puppy training then send the dog to Flatlander Kennels in Nebraska. Hopefully the pup has the ability to run in the hunt test game. It is just my belief that we owe it to the dogs to bring out the best in their ability. That happens by following a specific training program tailored to the way the dog hunts. In every scenario, the dog needs to have the basics completed before going a field. That establishes who is the alpha while in the field and puts the dog under control for success. To me it is like going to training camp before playing a game.

It sure helps getting a pup home early spring, my two both came home in March which gives you a dog that can take care of themself year one. I’ve got a friend bringing a dog home in three weeks, I tried to get him to wait.