i need a dog trainer

[mat g]

i have a year old lab that i would like to duck hunt with but i dont know how to train him does any one know of a good dog trainer

[zinsurance]

If you can't find somebody to train the dog or decide you don't want to spend that much I would recomment Richard Wolters water dog book. I had no experience training gun dogs and I used his gun dog book when working a bird dog and his techniques made it pretty easy and the dog turned out pretty good. Haven't read the water dog book but if it's like his other book it's worth the 20 bucks it'll cost you.

[BULLFROG-1]

If you would like to do it yourself,,,,,,,,,get you an e-collar...........You will be amazed at how fast they learn........plus you and your dog will get to spend quality time together.You will find there are some great water dog books available!

[luvjign]

i have a year old lab that i would like to duck hunt with but i dont know how to train him does any one know of a good dog trainer

Sounds like you need to hook up with Pstone on the Missippy board. I think he's hot-n-heavy into that.

[catchncrisco]

Mat,

Go to the UKC (United Kennel Club) website and see if they have a Hunting Retriever Club in your area. Here is the link. You'll get much more enjoyment doing it yourself and learn from some pretty good handlers. Belonged to the Ill River Chap. here for over ten years and trained two myself.
http://www.ukcdogs.com/WebSite.nsf/WebPages/HRCHome[/URL]

[Wiskers]

If you would like to do it yourself,,,,,,,,,get you an e-collar...........You will be amazed at how fast they learn........plus you and your dog will get to spend quality time together.You will find there are some great water dog books available!

I train Labs (mostly mine but I help a few of my friends out) up here in Western Ky. and have for over 35 years. I am not a big advocate of "pain training!" I've seen guys get carried away with the collars! I personally like a dog with a little "attitude." You can use that to your advantage if you manipulate it right. Don't get me wrong. An E-collar has it's place but... there is a lot of training for the individual using the collar too. You can flat screw a young dog up if you don't know how/when to use it.

The "Water Dog" series of books and videos are a good place to start even if you're gonna have someone else train you dog. It will give you a good understanding of the mechanics involved in dog training thus making you a better handler. The best advice I can give you if you decide to train the dog yourself is 1. Establish trust with the dog and have patients. 2. Correct a mistake everytime and be consistant. Nothing is worse than sending mixed messages. 3. Expect mistakes. Use the mistakes as a teaching tool. 4. Stay calm and assertive. Yelling and scolding complicates things for the dog. 5. Reward good behavior. Labs are "pleasers"! They love to know they have pleased you and they really respond to positive feedback. 6. Work the dog everyday even if it's just a few minutes.

P.S. You have some catching up to do. Your dog should have been started at about 13 weeks. It probably has some bad habbits but they can be corrected. You're behind but don't get in a hurry. Find a pace that fits your dog and work with it.

[TreednNC]

mat g.....theres one up here. A lot of people dont like him because of his attitude, but hes one of the best there is. Charles Journey *spell check* of Beaver Dam Kennels up here in Terrell/ Sherrills Ford....not that far from Gastonia.

[shadow]

I train Labs (mostly mine but I help a few of my friends out) up here in Western Ky. and have for over 35 years. I am not a big advocate of "pain training!" I've seen guys get carried away with the collars! I personally like a dog with a little "attitude." You can use that to your advantage if you manipulate it right. Don't get me wrong. An E-collar has it's place but... there is a lot of training for the individual using the collar too. You can flat screw a young dog up if you don't know how/when to use it.

The "Water Dog" series of books and videos are a good place to start even if you're gonna have someone else train you dog. It will give you a good understanding of the mechanics involved in dog training thus making you a better handler. The best advice I can give you if you decide to train the dog yourself is 1. Establish trust with the dog and have patients. 2. Correct a mistake everytime and be consistant. Nothing is worse than sending mixed messages. 3. Expect mistakes. Use the mistakes as a teaching tool. 4. Stay calm and assertive. Yelling and scolding complicates things for the dog. 5. Reward good behavior. Labs are "pleasers"! They love to know they have pleased you and they really respond to positive feedback. 6. Work the dog everyday even if it's just a few minutes.

P.S. You have some catching up to do. Your dog should have been started at about 13 weeks. It probably has some bad habbits but they can be corrected. You're behind but don't get in a hurry. Find a pace that fits your dog and work with it.

Very well said Whiskers! My parents were professional dog trainers (mostly labs) for years but have pretty much got out of it now. I am not a big fan of the e- collars either (you can catch more flys with honey than with salt). There is definetely a place and time for them but most people think the e- collars are a cure all and end up screwing up what could have been a great dog. I too have trained a lab from the Water Dog book and she was the besting hunting dog I have had, Man I miss that girl!

[tenncrappie]

I have trained a couple on my own and used the book(Training your Retriever) by James Lamb Free.

[bobberwatcher]

I have been duck hunting for bout 16 yrs now and we always have a "designated dog". (Usually the one who shows up to the boat ramp late takes that honor.) I have hunted with several different folks and their dogs over the years and "Water Dog by Richard Wolters" always comes up. Whiskers could not have put it any better when he said "Labs are pleasures so reward them." When a dog is born, the first thing he has to figure out is how to get food and as he grows he consistantly has to figure that out. Use this to your advantage!