labrador

RichieRich

hi all, got a year old lab a week ago, he's almost trained, he's retreving beautifully but is still not steady to shot, i.e. as soon as i shot a cock last sun he was off after him and no matter how much i whistled or called him he had just one idea in his head, also he is a bit headstrong in that he tends to run on a bit but all in all he's very good for a young dog, as i never had a lab before has anyone got any tips for me?
as i said i only have him a week.

redla

hello richie rich dont know if this will help but it might i got my springer at a year old also the guy i got her from told to make sure the recall was 100 percent then make sure the stop command was 200 percent before i even took her into hunting situation he warned if i did not get this right first i would have no pleasure and she would gradually get worse and i would not have the experience to get her back but i had six months before season started but now when i raise my hand or blow the whistle she stops so maybe try avoiding a problem rather than trying to fix one it what he was saying

yank_in_eire

I have a lab as well. Give it time, they can be a little hard-headed at first. I don't know if it would will work for you like it did for me but mine would stand in hot coals til her legs were blackened stumps if she thought a little piece of food was coming her way at the end of it. I know a few other lab owners who say that labs will do almost anything for a food reward - it certainly helped with training mine - now she immediately does what I tell her even when there is no reward and would stand through a howitzer firing without flinching. Top breed IMO, with a marginal amount of work on your part you should have a fantastic gundog.
Might want to consider getting him neutered (if you're not interesting in using him for stud later) - it really helps them calm down and concentrate.

pullandbang

As YIE says, top breed and make great hunters/retrievers. They can be a bit hot headed when young and now is the time to settle them.
On the other hand, do you really want him to drop to shot and sit quietly until you send him on the retrieve? That might be ok for field trials or at a driven shoot, but on a rough shoot I never minded my dog getting out quick for the retrieve - especially on rough ground.

When they're hunting you do need to keep them in check though as they do like to run on. I shot over one for eight or nine years and she was fantastic. Never lost a shot bird but she did have a tendency to be headstrong early in the season. Early days yet, so don't lose heart.

EPointer=Birdss

pullandbang wrote: »

On the other hand, do you really want him to drop to shot and sit quietly until you send him on the retrieve? That might be ok for field trials or at a driven shoot, but on a rough shoot I never minded my dog getting out quick for the retrieve - especially on rough ground.
quote]

+1
Was out with the dog the weekend & clipped a Cock from 40+ yards. He hit the ground & took off running! Hopped over a ditch & off for the bog! Dog had him in no time! If he was steady to shot then I would of had a fair aul time of catching him & had to walk god knows how far out of my way to find him.
I don't shoot low birds or rabbits with him as a rule so no chance of him getting hit...
When he brought him back his wing was it but he was well fit enough to keep running!