Training
We now offer gun dog training. Does your dog need to learn to be steady as you shoot? Need help with bringing the bird to hand? Want to see if he could participate in hunt test competition? We now offer limited gun dog training at our home near Waco, Texas. Below are just a few dogs that we have trained over the past couple of years. If you are interested or want to learn more call Toby @ 254-640-9146 Training includes basic obedience, force fetch, exposure to birds, distractions, and various terrain.
Chance showing off a nice water entry at the Big D U.K.C test
Boscoe, Bella, and Chance show off their Junior Hunter (J.H) hunt test ribbons
Bosoce and Bella with their U.K.C "Started" ribbons
Toby helped Breezy get her J.H before the age of 1 !
Congratulations Rags, now a HR! He is also a Junior Hunter
Jake's First Day of Training
Gus was trained to be a steady hunting companion
There are many ways to train your Labrador Retriever. Your breeder may suggest certain activities that your puppy would excel in based on pedigree and parents. Deciding what you want your Lab to be able to do will help determine where to turn for help. Want to get involved in Pet Therapy? Obedience? Flyball? Agility? Or just wanting to teach your new buddy how to have manners?? Good!! Any of the above will help create a bond between you and your lab. Besides a working lab is a happy lab.
Once it has been determined which areas your pup would shine in, finding a club would be a good next step. An organized A.K.C or U.K.C club, is a great resource to have even if you do not want to compete. Clubs are full of experienced folks who would love to help and mentor you in the fundamentals of competition or just good ol puppy raising. Think your puppy would be able to compete in hunt test? Find a hunt club. Want to try tracking (search and rescue), well there is a club for that too. For a complete list of A.K.C and U.K.C hunt, obedience, conformation, and other clubs in Texas and the U.S., go to the great links page of this site. After competing in hunt tests ourselves the past few years we are now offering limited hunt test and basic training services here at our home.
Books are another resource that can help you train your retriever. Over the years we have read many. The following are our favorites. The first, is Richard Wolters' book, Water Dog. This book is for those who plan to hunt with their dog. We have trained all of our dogs on his whistle command system which comes in handy in the field. It is fun to read, matter of fact, and the methods are easy to implement.
The second, Tri-Tronics Retriever Training, does mostly contain hunting techniques but also contains a large section on basic obedience in an easy to learn format. It has tips from basic training to more complex field work. It is packed with great advice and easy to follow pictures. It is great for the novice or the more experienced handler.
And my personal favorite, Just Labs Magazine. This is a MUST HAVE if you are a Lab freak like me. This is the one thing I look forward to retrieving from the mailbox. It is written by people like you and me, who are hopelessly devoted to the Labrador. The essays and tributes will make you cry and the hundreds of pictures and personal stories will make you smile. Every issue is jammed with training techniques specifically targeted to the Labrador.
Remember before you begin any training regimen that obedience is not an inherited trait. Just because you have a puppy from a show or field champion, does not guarantee your puppy will be a replica of mom or dad. You must teach the puppy the skills needed to become successful. With whatever method you prefer to use, have patience, be repetitious, and give lots of praise. Even if you do not plan to enter your puppy in field trials or shows, he should still be taught basic manners. Frequently we have visitors, neighbors, and friends come out with their dogs for an impromptu training session. We invite you and your furry friend to stop by too. Just remember leave your Sunday best at home!!
