Gun Dog Forum

It a huge misconception that Labs are not, or cannot be GREAT ruffed grouse dogs. It does take a specific type of Lab to really excel at it though. A field bred, relatively small Lab that is more light-boned than what most people think of when they think of a Lab, is ideal. Labs are tough dogs by na...

I am wondering if anyone has hunted Partridge Run WMA in the Albany area. I live in CT and am trying to get my 1 year old Lab out once more before the end of the season. I don't have the time to go further up state, so I thought this place looked like a good bet. Not lookin for anyone's honey hole, ...

From the time they will pick up a clip wing quail, six weeks on. As soon as they are handling quail, they go on pigeons. They will not go on ducks until 6-7 months. You don't want them getting bitten and bird shy. Dog's make their living retrieving birds not bumpers and by reverting to birds from b...

From the time they will pick up a clip wing quail, six weeks on. As soon as they are handling quail, they go on pigeons. They will not go on ducks until 6-7 months. You don't want them getting bitten and bird shy. Dog's make their living retrieving birds not bumpers and by reverting to birds from b...

Use a retriever puppy program that prepares you pup for a formal training program. The Smartwork Puppy Program DVD is designed for working retriever pups. http://www.evan-graham.net Do it right the first time. EvanG Thanks. Is the puppy DVD available on its own, or do I have to buy the whole package?

QuillGordon wrote:Going on the species of birds you hunt I would be looking at a American Field Bred Labrador Retriever from a reputable breeder.

Beautiful Lab!

At that age I'd be using the corridor method then the CC on bumpers only ,when the dog is proficient at retrieving to hand... then dead birds , would not be using live game at that age that's for sure ,to many things can go wrong So, you don't think it's not a good idea to get him flushing pigeons ...

Eric wrote:Are you following any particular training program

Not exactly. I have been following The Labrador Shooting Dog by Mike Gould, as well as a couple of Bill Tarrant's books. Both guys preach more natural methods, although I will be using an e-collar to some degree.

So when do you suggest that I stop working him with birds? When we begin FF, or sooner?

My lab is around 13-14 weeks old, and we have been doing some casual retrieving work on a daily basis. He has been pretty gentile with live and dead birds so far, but he has a couple toys that he plays with at night that he chews up and gives the death shake. He is also getting pretty mischievious, ...

I have a lab who is about 13-14 weeks old. I am wondering what order people go through when teaching retrieving at this age. We started with small bumpers, and he generally brings them back, but if he doesn't I certainly dont put any pressure on him, and have been able to get it back by running the ...

Thanks everyone. I spoke with my vet again, and it became obvious that the vet techs who have foo foo yip yip dogs were being overly cautious with their advise. He told me to just be careful until he had his third shot. In the mean time, he is about 13-14 weeks old now, and chases pigeons and swims ...

I have a 9 week old Lab, and my vet told me to keep him confined to the yard until he is about 4-5 months old, has had all his shots and built a strong immune system. I understand that he is at risk to several parasites, diseases etc. but I never gave this much thought with my last Lab. I was carefu...