JHTH 0 Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 Hi, I have a 4 year old black labrador that I have had since she was eight weeks old. She has never been trained to the gun but she is very keen on flushing birds from the undergrowth and retrieving balls to hand! Is it too late to train her up for rough shooting, wild fowling and pigeon shooting or is it still possible at this age? This morning she showed a prime example of her behaviour when we went into one of our most cover filled fields and she flushed about seven pheasants (all about thirty yards from me) and watched them rise without flinching. Is this promising behaviour or does every labrador exhibit it? Thank you in advance, John Hobbs Quote Link to post
eshielsgundogs 0 Posted October 11, 2008 Report Share Posted October 11, 2008 Hi, I have a 4 year old black labrador that I have had since she was eight weeks old. She has never been trained to the gun but she is very keen on flushing birds from the undergrowth and retrieving balls to hand! Is it too late to train her up for rough shooting, wild fowling and pigeon shooting or is it still possible at this age? This morning she showed a prime example of her behaviour when we went into one of our most cover filled fields and she flushed about seven pheasants (all about thirty yards from me) and watched them rise without flinching. Is this promising behaviour or does every labrador exhibit it? Thank you in advance, John Hobbs It's pretty normal behaviour I'm afraid John. As for being too old, it really depends on what bad habits your dog has developed, and how much time and patients you have to correct them. You would need to start from the basics, and build the foundations. It will not be easy with a four year old, but I am sure you could get your dog up to a reasonable level. Ian Quote Link to post
Geoff.C 0 Posted October 11, 2008 Report Share Posted October 11, 2008 Don't take this the wrong way JHTH, but I feel that if you have not trained your Lab by now, you probably don't know how to train to the gun? In your case it would be a good idea, to see if there is a branch of the United Retriever Club in your area. They hold training sessions for gundogs only, and will put you on the right track. Everything is covered from basic obedience, through dummy work to cold game. Quote Link to post
JHTH 0 Posted October 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2008 thank you for the advice, I have never trained a dog to the gun and I am only 15 so have not even had much experience training dogs but I hoped it wouldn't be too difficult but I think I have a lot to learn!! Sorry for being a bit stupid! John Quote Link to post
Geoff.C 0 Posted October 12, 2008 Report Share Posted October 12, 2008 thank you for the advice, I have never trained a dog to the gun and I am only 15 so have not even had much experience training dogs but I hoped it wouldn't be too difficult but I think I have a lot to learn!! Sorry for being a bit stupid! John Stupid?? I don't think so John, I thought from your first post that you were not experienced with training dogs. That is something that can be put right, and there is plenty of help about. If you can find a gun dog club handy for you, go there and see what goes on. Don't be impatient for success with a untrained four year old, she may not just progress as fast as a youngster will. You need to be crystal clear in your own mind, just what it is you are asking a dog to do. Then you guide it in the right direction, using voice and whistle, treats and bribery as needed. The retrieve should be the most natural exercise for a gun dog, yet the number of handlers that get it wrong amazes me. When I see a dog "crawling" in with a worried expression, I could kick the handler quite frankly. I have to have happy workers and have no time for the "knock it into them" brigade. They belong in the dark ages. Look around for what clubs you have locally,take time to weigh them up, you may not like the first one you find. Working gun dogs is a great way to spend a day, try and get on a shoot as a beater and watch the "pickers up" when you can. It's a great way of life to get into. Quote Link to post
kingfisher 0 Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 a'up john asking a question doesnt make you stupid, its how you learn. ive asked loads of questions on this site and answered some to, thats what we,re here for. good luck with your dog Quote Link to post
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