Retreiver training?

[Guest]

Have an eight week old Golden. Read a couple of books and bought the Water Dog video. So far things are going great. He has learned here and sit. Been working on fetch in a hallway. Figure I'll wait another month or two to teach heel. In one of the books it talked about non-retrieves (throwing the bumper and then picking it up yourself occasionally) It claims to make the dog steady, honor other dogs, and you won't have to go backwards and teach the dog to not break. Was wondering what some of the experienced hunters or trainers think?

[WALLEYENUTZ]

In my opinion, keep it fun at 8 weeks old. Once you teach your dog how to sit, stay, heal and come, then throw in the "no-retrieve". If you throw it in now you may confuse or frustrate him. good luck have fun.

[chow]

I am also an amature trainer but have had pretty good luck with my now 15 month old golden. My advise on this is keep everything fun and DO NOT even think about anything to steady the dog at this point in it life. You want to put as much drive, desire, and "GO" into the pup right now. So always stop when the pup wants more. Right now you should maybe do 2-3 retrives at a session. Then stop with the pup wanting more. You also may want to think about intro to clipped wing pigeons to start to develop birdyness.

Just my two cents...

chow

[Guest]

Thanks for the replies. I definitely would rather have him love to retrieve and then have to steady him. I have some pheasant wings. I only use those indoors in the hallway so he has to bring it to me. He gets really excited over the wings. Outdoors I throw a couple of toys for him. I've been trying to limit it to 4 or 5 retreives a day. I plan on doing all the training myself, but I would like to join a retreiver club in town. Anyone have any recommendations. I saw a Lake Country Club in Prior Lake on the internet. Anyone on this board a member there?

[Guest]

he or she will be the best hunting dog
my mistake was with my lab i never took the time to train him i am now they say it's never to late to learn.. everytime were out side and geese fly by i say max what is that he's trying to locate the sounds it's funny to see him to find the geese he don't move.. goodluck with your golden BBP