Need help with my Lab.

Here is some background. I have a 5 month old Yellow Lab. Great blood lines. I had him sitting, staying and fetching in the yard. I could make him stay for as much as 2 minutes and then say fetch and he would go get the dummy or the ball. Then my wife decides we need a Black lab too. So we get a 8 week old pup (we picked him up labor day so he is 3 months now) and now weither dog will go anywhere without the other. The kicker is, my yellow won’t fetch anymore unless I just tease him and get him excited and then throw the ball or the dummy. THEN he won’t bring it back to me. He will bring it about 10 from me and drop it. Doesn’t matter if I do this with just him and I or with the Black in the yard. If the little pup is out in the yard, he will try to take it from my yellow and he will bring it to me. ?????????????? Do I need to start all over with just the yellow and I by ourselves somehwere undisturbed? How do I get him excited about fetching again?

train totaly seperate with dummys, can have fun with both dogs ball sticks whatever,but not strutured till much older . Work good on my two. To get him interested again put something on 8 ft rope tied to old fishing rod or broom stick go around in circle till he gets it then pull him to u with much incouragement

train totaly seperate with dummys, can have fun with both dogs ball sticks whatever,but not strutured till much older . Work good on my two. To get him interested again put something on 8 ft rope tied to old fishing rod or broom stick go around in circle till he gets it then pull him to u with much incouragement

This is what I get for buying a training video. It occurred to me they are training “retrieving machines” I want a hunting buddy that will retrieve. I really don’t care for the whistle thing and don’t plan on doing any trials or 5 blind retrieves out 100 yds. Simple, “fetch” “sit, “stay” “down” (for lay down), “come” and “heal” will suffice for me. According to the video. If he will do all these things I just mentioned, he is only “started”. IMO if he will do them all well, and be happy to be out wioth me, He will be all I want.

This is what I get for buying a training video. It occurred to me they are training “retrieving machines” I want a hunting buddy that will retrieve. I really don’t care for the whistle thing and don’t plan on doing any trials or 5 blind retrieves out 100 yds. Simple, “fetch” “sit, “stay” “down” (for lay down), “come” and “heal” will suffice for me. According to the video. If he will do all these things I just mentioned, he is only “started”. IMO if he will do them all well, and be happy to be out wioth me, He will be all I want.

Most labs love to retrieve it’s in there blood, the better trained the dog is the better hunting buddy he will be, so I would not call that a “retrieving machine” I would call that a well trained dog. I would also recommend that you do train your dog to the whistle as there may be times in windy conditions that he will not be able to hear your voice, I would also recommend teaching him hand signals as well. I am not into field trials either but my dog is trained to my voice, whistle, and hand signals and as a result she is a much better hunter.

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This is what I get for buying a training video. It occurred to me they are training “retrieving machines” I want a hunting buddy that will retrieve. I really don’t care for the whistle thing

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Most labs love to retrieve it’s in there blood, the better trained the dog is the better hunting buddy he will be, so I would not call that a “retrieving machine” I would call that a well trained dog. I would also recommend that you do train your dog to the whistle as there may be times in windy conditions that he will not be able to hear your voice, I would also recommend teaching him hand signals as well. I am not into field trials either but my dog is trained to my voice, whistle, and hand signals and as a result she is a much better hunter.

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This is what I get for buying a training video. It occurred to me they are training “retrieving machines” I want a hunting buddy that will retrieve. I really don’t care for the whistle thing

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good advice steve mine is the same makes it easier in feild ! Just easy to handle even as just pets can stop them dead before they cross a road or other danger! good luck trying but alot of fun when your done , or are you ever done??

good advice steve mine is the same makes it easier in feild ! Just easy to handle even as just pets can stop them dead before they cross a road or other danger! good luck trying but alot of fun when your done , or are you ever done??

I agree with Steve. I never thought it was worth it to train my dog on blind retrieves and hand signals, but I get a kick out of doing it. Now that he will do it, I cannot imagine him not being able to. When duck hunting, there are some times when he does not see the bird fall and needs to “take a line” and directions from me. I recomend training these things to the best of your ability.

I also recomend the book “Water Dog” by Richard Wolters ???, they usually have it a Fleet Farm or Gander and it is a great book on training. He has 4 or 5 books out there about training upland dogs, retrievers, family dogs etc. and uses a practical hunting based approach.

Good Luck.

I agree with Steve. I never thought it was worth it to train my dog on blind retrieves and hand signals, but I get a kick out of doing it. Now that he will do it, I cannot imagine him not being able to. When duck hunting, there are some times when he does not see the bird fall and needs to “take a line” and directions from me. I recomend training these things to the best of your ability.

I also recomend the book “Water Dog” by Richard Wolters ???, they usually have it a Fleet Farm or Gander and it is a great book on training. He has 4 or 5 books out there about training upland dogs, retrievers, family dogs etc. and uses a practical hunting based approach.

Good Luck.

All very good replies. just a couple of things to add. I think game dog is a better all around book if you hunt more than ducks but Wolters is IMO the tops for training tecniques. I also had a problem with bringing in a new puppy befor my current dog was fully under controll. the number one thing is keep them seperate during training I meen not even having the pup be able to look out the window and bark. next question do you have a couple of friends that have solid retrievers? if you do offer them a couple of beers and have them bring over their dogs and do a puppie line. that worked AWESOME for me. a puppie line is when you put all the dogs tied out about 10 feet apart, make sure there are no other distractions then while everyone else is sitting on the deck have the owner on the most season dog throw some dummies the other dogs will go nuts watching. when he is done (10-15 retrieves) take the next one and repete. really love the dog up to I meen get stupid oohh good boy, good boy. they will want their turn sooo bad they forget about everything else. “Its the old come on coach put me in” this is what worked for me in the same situation. hope it helps. Im always up for training so if you need a few dogs let me know.

All very good replies. just a couple of things to add. I think game dog is a better all around book if you hunt more than ducks but Wolters is IMO the tops for training tecniques. I also had a problem with bringing in a new puppy befor my current dog was fully under controll. the number one thing is keep them seperate during training I meen not even having the pup be able to look out the window and bark. next question do you have a couple of friends that have solid retrievers? if you do offer them a couple of beers and have them bring over their dogs and do a puppie line. that worked AWESOME for me. a puppie line is when you put all the dogs tied out about 10 feet apart, make sure there are no other distractions then while everyone else is sitting on the deck have the owner on the most season dog throw some dummies the other dogs will go nuts watching. when he is done (10-15 retrieves) take the next one and repete. really love the dog up to I meen get stupid oohh good boy, good boy. they will want their turn sooo bad they forget about everything else. “Its the old come on coach put me in” this is what worked for me in the same situation. hope it helps. Im always up for training so if you need a few dogs let me know.

Wasller, I need to come visit you. That puppy line idea sounds awsome.

Wasller, I need to come visit you. That puppy line idea sounds awsome.

I also use Richard Wolters books to train my dog, I would also agree his training techniques are the best.

I also used the puppy line trick to get my dog to go from being scared of the water to loving the water, this technique defiantly works! You can find his books at Cabela’s

I also use Richard Wolters books to train my dog, I would also agree his training techniques are the best.

I also used the puppy line trick to get my dog to go from being scared of the water to loving the water, this technique defiantly works! You can find his books at Cabela’s

I bought a Wolters CD. I am not crazy about one of his methods. The forced fetch stuff on the table. with the overhead cable. I want my dog to retieve and be happy, not terrified I am gonna hurt him so he performs from fear.

There is also some controversy about the age at which to begin “forcing” the dog to perform. The Kennel I got my dogs from said they wait till after the dog is past a year of age to begin the blind retrieves and forced training. They said all of thier dogs. (5 Chessies, 6 Labs and 4 Germ SHort hairs) all get to “practice” the basic skills they teach them from 6months to about 12-14 months of age than after they have become good hunters with the basics they begin the training on blind retrieves and “forced” fetching.

I bought a Wolters CD. I am not crazy about one of his methods. The forced fetch stuff on the table. with the overhead cable. I want my dog to retieve and be happy, not terrified I am gonna hurt him so he performs from fear.

There is also some controversy about the age at which to begin “forcing” the dog to perform. The Kennel I got my dogs from said they wait till after the dog is past a year of age to begin the blind retrieves and forced training. They said all of thier dogs. (5 Chessies, 6 Labs and 4 Germ SHort hairs) all get to “practice” the basic skills they teach them from 6months to about 12-14 months of age than after they have become good hunters with the basics they begin the training on blind retrieves and “forced” fetching.

I could go thru the force fetching with you and when you see the end product you will see the my dog is the happiest retriever you have ever seen. she just wont put and thing down untill you tell her to. Im sure it sucked for her during the training but now its just a way of life for her. If your dog likes to please they have a short memory and wont hold the tough days of training against you. TRUST ME it is worth it (force fetching)
ant questions call me 651-214-8875 later, Corey

I could go thru the force fetching with you and when you see the end product you will see the my dog is the happiest retriever you have ever seen. she just wont put and thing down untill you tell her to. Im sure it sucked for her during the training but now its just a way of life for her. If your dog likes to please they have a short memory and wont hold the tough days of training against you. TRUST ME it is worth it (force fetching)
ant questions call me 651-214-8875 later, Corey

Fish.The most important training aspect IMO is time spent with your buddy.I also agree to totally serperate the dogs.That is what i had to do with my Golden and Yellow.My Yellow is very strong headed and wants nothing more than to retrieve all day.Try to make it a game and show alot of affection when the dog does it right.You do not always have to scold but slight discipline helps greatly.I never force broke my lab and do not know if I would if I could go back in time.I guide goose hunting in the Rochester area and she would do 300+ retrieve’s a year in he prime.She is my best friend.Never talks back and enjoys the out doors.

Fish.The most important training aspect IMO is time spent with your buddy.I also agree to totally serperate the dogs.That is what i had to do with my Golden and Yellow.My Yellow is very strong headed and wants nothing more than to retrieve all day.Try to make it a game and show alot of affection when the dog does it right.You do not always have to scold but slight discipline helps greatly.I never force broke my lab and do not know if I would if I could go back in time.I guide goose hunting in the Rochester area and she would do 300+ retrieve’s a year in he prime.She is my best friend.Never talks back and enjoys the out doors.

He could be Teething? Just a thought?

He could be Teething? Just a thought?

My next dog will be force fetch trained. I have seen the resluts without and with, and it will be done. I assume at almost age 7, it is FAR to late for force fetch training now on this one no?

My next dog will be force fetch trained. I have seen the resluts without and with, and it will be done. I assume at almost age 7, it is FAR to late for force fetch training now on this one no?