New pup!! Now I need some training aids.

Jay H

Active member
I will be bringing home my first true gun dog in two weeks. She is a black lab pup that I have named Rudy. Both her parents are spectacular hunters upland and waterfowl. I am trying to read as much as I can online and have talked to a few trainers but i get many answers to my questions, is there a good book that people have found resourceful to training a gun dog pup?
 
DVDs : Sound Beginnings—Jackie Mertens
Training A Retriever Puppy—Bill Hillman
You can get a lot of good information and become a more knowledgeable dog owner and trainer by following the posts on the Retriever Training Forum. Just google RTF
 
I used Richard Wolters Book "Game Dog" and "Water Dog" as a training plan for my last dog 12 yrs ago and just started on my new pup 2 weeks ago on the same program. I was satisfied with the results and the methods made sense to me. It seems that his methods have gone out of favor with the gun dog training community over the past few years but I am going to stick with it. My dog only hunts, no dog games. She was able to do blinds no problem and did everything I asked her to do... Except I could never get her to lay down on command. she would sit anytime anywhere but never could get her to lay down. I think the most important thing is to determine what YOUR requirements are when you start and train to that as an end goal. Good luck and have fun!
 
The "Sound Beginnings" DVD by Jackie Mertens is a definite. Also loom at Evan Graham's DVD series for more advanced training.
 
Before you bring Rudy home, purchase the book...The Art of Raising a Puppy by The Monks of New Skete. It is a must if you want a pup that will house train and let you sleep at night. Start reading it tomorrow...You'll be surprised at how much they will tell you about raising your new fur ball
 
smartworks by Evan Graham

This is an excellent program and DVD set. Its a not just a training program for field trial and hunt trial dogs. It develops skills that are great for just a "plain old meat" dog. You'll be proud to own and hunt a dog trained under this program. Follow it step by step.
 
books are ok to start but you really need to find someone who knows what they are doing and train and learn from that person or group try pinelands ret club or navisink ret club
 
Before you bring Rudy home, purchase the book...The Art of Raising a Puppy by The Monks of New Skete. It is a must if you want a pup that will house train and let you sleep at night. Start reading it tomorrow...You'll be surprised at how much they will tell you about raising your new fur ball

I very much agree. You can blend this book with the specific retriever training, but for an all around good dog this book is enlightening. You'll find the need for an e-collar almost non existent. The monks show you things about your pup before the problems start. I've used their books from the first time they printed one with great results.
 
Jay, I sent you a pm about a great guy (local to you) who started my pup and I out to be successful. He organizes a retriever training group (free to all who show up) most every Sunday morning. Post some pics of the new pup when you get a chance.
 
There are so many books and dvds that it will make your head spin (my experience anyway). I have a Wildrose Lab (UKlabs.com) and they have a great training dvd and several books available on the website. I found that the methods worked for me.
 
Back
Top