My first duck dog

[master of the timber]

A buddy of mine asked me in June if I wanted a puppy off of his dog and that they would be born in August. I told him of course i wanted one b/c Drake was one bad A dog. I named her Rivers. I got her at 6 weeks and fell in love. Another buddy of mine let me borrow his book Water Dog and I read a few pages every night. I decided I was going to save the money and train her myself. I am glad I did because about 2 weeks ago I took her huntin for the first time at 4 1/2 months old. I know that this might be a little early to take her but it was an easy hunt and she was able to sit on dry land. I shot down a greenhead and I cannot tell you how excited I was when she went out into the pond and brought me back that big drake. It was more exciting than killing 10 limits.

[free78]

Damnit I thought this was gonna be another one of those video interviews.

[slayem]

Damnit I thought this was gonna be another one of those video interviews.

Dont worry, one is in the making!

[Chuckle12]

Nice. There is not much that is more fulfilling (& frustrating) than training your own dog. I'd probably drop the waterdog book & get evan graham's smartworks books though.

[flyntwt]

Nice. There is not much that is more fulfilling (& frustrating) than training your own dog. I'd probably drop the waterdog book & get evan graham's smartworks books though.

+1 billion

[master of the timber]

Thanks yall. I'll give it a read.

[donia]

congrats on the first retrieve

[bottomland84]

Congrats!

[CBrown]

Love that second photo, good looking puppy you got there.

[hillhunter]

thats good stuff right there

[webfootnut]

One of the best parts of our sport!!

[billyho]

Congrats man and great pics. Nothing... And I mean nothing in duck hunting is better in my opinion than watching a pups first retrieve. I've got an 11 year old choc that i trained myself, not saying he's the best but I remember his first retrieve like it was yesterday! Funny thing is his name is drake also... Good stuff man thanks for bringing back some great memories

[medic11]

Congrats on the puppy man, I was going to train mine on my own but uncle sam had other ideas. I dropped him off with Steve Vires last wednesday. I cant wait to get back from Afghanistan next season and hunt him. And no I am not making anymore videos the Army has me way too busy right now

[rawalley]

good lookin dog

[greenheadgrimreaper]

Congrats, there is nothing like it.

I have waterdog and all of the EG Smartworks books. But with that being said for a total newcomer the book The 15 Minute Retriever was the best and the one I referenced most often during the first several months. I highly recommend it as many experienced trainers recommended me to it. I was in gun dog supply just the other day and they had several copies.

I wouldn't worry too much that isn't too young especially if the pup isn't held to a very high standard while not being allowed to begin any bad habits. Kinda like being a pilot in training bf you get to do it for real.