Properly Starting A Lab Pup

[fabiomilitello 37]

Hello everyone,

 

I've just brought a black lab dog who's currently 2 weeks old. It's going to be my first dog, and I'm eager to train him as a gun dog. I've looked up numerous videos, DVD's, and recently brought a great book about training the working lab. However, what I'm reading in the book is very different to what I've heard elsewhere, and was wondering about what people here who have had previous experience with training working labs think. A few point's I'm not entirely sure on are:

• Formal training begins at 8 months old
• Only put a lead on the dog when it's at least 5 months old
• Do not play retrieve or fetch with the puppy until formal training begins, as it undermines the seriousness of a retrieve
• Puppy play sessions should last 10 minutes, and take place every hour

Is starting formal training at 8 months too old? Is not playing fetch/retrieve with a pup too harsh? What am I supposed to do for the first 5 months if I can't take the pup to a park for a walk?

 

Some trainers have told me that puppy play sessions SHOULD include retrieving a tennis ball, and that using a slip lead to keep the dog under control in a public park or open field should be done before 5 months.

What are your opinions?

[Lab 10,979]

I'd throw that book in the bin.

I think the best bit of advice I was given was not to rush, let the dog have it's puppy years. Plenty time for serious training.

[fabiomilitello 37]

I'd throw that book in the bin.

I think the best bit of advice I was given was not to rush, let the dog have it's puppy years. Plenty time for serious training.

I was thinking about it!

 

It has a few good points in it, like how puppy's really need to form a bond with you before you start to make them heel or anything else, that way when you train it to heel once it has formed that bond with you, it'll go a lot smoother. But not making my labrador retriever actually retreieve? What a joke!

[lee-kinsman 34]

Also play sessions lasting 10 minutes, yes. Occuring every hour, no. Everything should be relaxed and intentional, do not to have a routine play schedule. Keep it random otherwise your puppy will learn the routine quicker than you and start demanding.

[leethedog 3,071]

If never trained a lab but I have trained a spaniel I started retrieval training at about 12 weeks same as stop to the whistle retrieving was done as part of play he wouldn't touch a ball or dummy but he loved pheasant wings stop to whistle done on a lead just walk and every time I stoped I gave stop hand signal and blew waited 1 minute then blew release and walked by 6 months old he didn't miss a beat off the lead gun training took place after a year old by this time I was able to send him out stop him and direct just make it all play not work

[Thrush 181]

You will find that everyone will have different ideas on these subjects, obviously everyone has varying degrees of time that they can spend with their pup. I like to spend as much time as I can with it when very young letting kids play with them etc so they become well socialised, but regards leaving them till they are 8 months sounds crap to me, as long as you don't go crazy you can do little bit with them right away I think, ball a sock up an roll it for them to fetch, only a couple of times a day.

And lead training can be done far earlier too, but it can depend on your pup, is it shy or boisterous has a massive impact on how you work with it.

Try the drakeshead way dvd, is quite expensive but I found it very informative whether you amateur or experienced, it is very informative and is very understandable. It must be even I could follow it. Lol

Atb

[Sapper8861 0]

Hi I was in your position not so long ago my lad is now 17 month and I did what you done re the books and DVDs The best bit of advice I would say take your time be patient and don't move onto something new until you have nailed the exercise you are doing and you have proofed it at a number of different places with different distractions. I joined a retreiver club went to the working tests then the trials. I started with the basics straight away in cooperating little bits at every oppoturnity no pressure though all fun no negatives. You will see your dog come on and gauge what he is and isn't ready for Have fun don't rush let him be a pup

[Mochastorm 68]

The bonding with the puppy is the most important thing when you first bring them home. Their brains are still forming and they should be introduced to certain things to assist this development before a particular age. The Dog's Mind by Bruce Fogle is an interesting read as it highlights the narrow windows for optimum development in a puppy's brain at varying ages.

With regards to puppy training I used the Adrian Slater DVD, the first DVD runs from 12 weeks to about 9 months. It's just about short lessons, keeping it fun, and not moving too quickly. The format is sequential and easy to follow. The second DVD is a Gundog foundation. I also attended puppy classes, which I believe is money well spent. I got my first gundog, an ESS bitch, 16 months ago and it is so different from the terriers and Lurchers I've had in the past. I've started working her, for beating, this season. She's very driven, at times a frustrating little swine, she's by no means the finished article yet, but loads of fun. I'm sure you'll achieve what you want with your Labrador as your already planning ahead. Good luck.

[fabiomilitello 37]

Thanks everybody for your great input and feedback. All comments are very much appreciated.

[fabiomilitello 37]

The bonding with the puppy is the most important thing when you first bring them home. Their brains are still forming and they should be introduced to certain things to assist this development before a particular age. The Dog's Mind by Bruce Fogle is an interesting read as it highlights the narrow windows for optimum development in a puppy's brain at varying ages.

With regards to puppy training I used the Adrian Slater DVD, the first DVD runs from 12 weeks to about 9 months. It's just about short lessons, keeping it fun, and not moving too quickly. The format is sequential and easy to follow. The second DVD is a Gundog foundation. I also attended puppy classes, which I believe is money well spent. I got my first gundog, an ESS bitch, 16 months ago and it is so different from the terriers and Lurchers I've had in the past. I've started working her, for beating, this season. She's very driven, at times a frustrating little swine, she's by no means the finished article yet, but loads of fun. I'm sure you'll achieve what you want with your Labrador as your already planning ahead. Good luck.

The book in reading at the moment basically says the exact same thing as what you've just said. Play times should be always productive and fun, nothing more. I had a brief look for that Adrian Slater DVD, but I've not found it anywhere. Where abouts did you get yours from? Sounds like a good DVD to go by!

[Mochastorm 68]

Adrian and Caroline Slater have Kipperidge Gundogs. They are both dog trainers. Adrian is a KC field trialling judge (spaniels). There are You Tube films of their gundog display at Crufts. They do have website where you can get the DVDs. I'm not sure of the web address but a Google of. Kipperidge Gundogs will get you there.

[tarn 7]

Have a look on paul french videos he does the adrian slater DVDs as well as loads of others

[yorkshire 151]

I'd throw that book in the bin.

I think the best bit of advice I was given was not to rush, let the dog have it's puppy years. Plenty time for serious training.

 

Would you recommend any book worth a read and taking notice of ?

[Lab 10,979]

 

I'd throw that book in the bin.

I think the best bit of advice I was given was not to rush, let the dog have it's puppy years. Plenty time for serious training.

 

Would you recommend any book worth a read and taking notice of ?

Not personally no. Never had to read one.

Luckily I've been surrounded with enough folk to guide me on my way.

I'm sure there are some great tips in books out there.....just happens the one the op mentioned seemed to be full of poop

[yorkshire 151]

Anyone else recommend a good read on the subject ??