advice on training a dog

[littlesmacko890]

if anyone could tell me some advice on how to train my lab to retieve ducks for me. I have been looking for some of the knobby bumpers but i just can't find them at a good price. If anyone could tell me some pointers then i would be happy.

Thanks
Josh

[Chuckle12]

There are a lot of people around here that know a lot more than me, but I would start by getting a good retriever training book (or video) and reading it cover to cover. On most books you can follow the step by step training process and get a good start on your way to a good duck dog.

[Ranch]

I would highly recommend the book "Water Dog" by Richard Wolters. It will take you through the process step by step. It can be found at most bookstores. Overstock.com had the cheapest price on the book that I have seen. I used this book training my first one and he turned out great. Talk to the guys that you know that hunt with dogs and ask them questions.
For dog equipment I shop http://www.gundogsupply.com. They have everything and the prices are excellent. They are located in Starkville, MS so the shipping time is very quick. For a pup I would recommend starting them out with a puppy size dummy. The smaller size is very easy for the pup to pick up. I would not buy a truck load of the small ones because the pup will grow up fast. My favorite pup bumper is a black and white canvas with flags on it. Go to- http://www.gundogsupply.com./mnb-s.html The dokken teal dummy has been a favorite for my pups but they are about $25 compared to $5.95 for the canvas.
Labs are smart and they are not very had to train but it does take time. If you spend 10 - 30 minutes TRAINING each day you will get there quick. Always spend lots of time with you pup other than just training.
If I can be of any help just send me a note. There will be an AKC hunt test at Kearney Park Quail Farms near Flora, MS on the 24 and 25. You will be able to see all kinds of dogs work there, beginners to masters.

[Chuckle12]

Littlesmacko, Ranch is right. If you want to see some good dogs at work and get a few tips on training, go to a hunt test or two. Like Ranch said, there is one at Kearney Park in Flora, MS, not too far from Brandon. Go check it out, you'll learn a lot and pick up on things your dog should be trained to do.

[B3]

How old is your dog?Has it been taught obedience? If you can give some background then some folks can give more specific advice. I like 10 minute retriever by John and Amy Dahl but there are lots of good books out there.

[littlesmacko890]

B3 yea my dog is going through obidence training now. I have talked to a guy that has 2 dogs. one is trained and the other is getting worked on. i asked him and he said to get a book or video on how to train my dog to retrieve ducks. If ya'll could tell me do you think Mean Mallard would have them here in Jackson? How many of the bumpers do ya'll think i need to get? My dad says 3. But he doesn't no anything about this. so what do ya'll think

[MC3]

like everyone else has said, gundogsupply.com has some of the best prices you'll find on training supplies...and you will get them FAST. if mean mallard has bumpers and stuff, you'll likely pay MUCH more for them.

as for books, i have found that 10 min retriever is much better than waterdog...but that is only the opinion of a fellow rookie trainer who has only been at this for about 6 months. i ran into too many problems that waterdog did not touch. i have heard of many people who also like smartworks by graham, as it supposedly tells you "why" you are doing the things you do in training.

[gator]

Evan's "Smartworks" volume one and two are a great investment for a first timer...i would venture this is the best training "how-to" group of books in print today...he even puts out a "SmartFetch" which carries you through the process of force fetching a dog...i haven't read this one yet, so i don't know alot of it...his stuff is put forth in such a manner that is easy to understand w/ plenty of charts, graphs, drawings, and pics to help you in your training...for the money, they can't be beat (IMHO)...

Mike Lardy's stuff is a little meatier, but you pay for it, and it's not as easy to understand (again, IMHO)...but, if you got the change, they are a must for the library...

the Dahl's stuff is good as well, you can't go wrong w/ it...

as for waterdog - well, i guess it looks good on a coffee table...wolters was a outdoors writer who had ONE great dog...he had a unique ability to put what he saw into print...if you just gotta have it, get another reference to put some of the pieces together...i'd venture to guess if you have both, you'll find that the others aid ALOT more than the waterdog stuff...

lilsmak, going to a hunt test is a great way to meet folks, see dogs, and get some free advice from people that do it EVERYDAY...i would definitly make the Magnolia RC test out at Kearney Park...

last thing, and i think this is the most important - sit down and figure out what you expect out of you and your dog, set your standards for you, your dog, and your training; then, don't change em when the going gets tough b/c it will...set your standards high, and work as hard as you can to get there...it's worth it in the end...gator

[B3]

Smartworks is excellent- you won't find it in a bookstore or at a store like the mean mallard. You can order it through the retriever journal or off the net at The Refuge gundog forum. The problem with Wolters is he does not give you any help for when things don't go perfectly to his plan. His writing assumes everything will go perfect and in 6 months you will have a wonderdog--when you stumble he doesn't teach you why so you can work through it. Smartworks helps you understand so you can teach your dog. Its hard to implement a training program if you don't understand the why of what you are teaching.