WoodyPopper Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 (edited) Hi We got a chocolate lab from the local rescue centre just under a year ago (see my avatar). He's just turned 6 years old. He hasn't been mistreated - it's just that the previous owner's circumstances changed and she could no longer afford to keep him. It's only recently that I've got permission to shoot pigeons on a local farm. Now, much as I love my dog, I'm beginning to wish that I had a gundog. I know the old saying about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks is nonsense - but is it possible to turn a middle aged family pet into any sort of gundog? Edited March 28, 2011 by WoodyPopper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bi9johnny Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 i would say yes...to what degree is hard to say....patience be with you on this one and good luck....most of all enjoy it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 its a chocolate lab its unlikely to ever get to field trial standards however it should be able to retrieve pigeons etc for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKPoacher Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 I got an absolute basket case ESS from a dog rescue centre;- dodgy hips, overweight, scared of her own shadow. She was 18 months old at the time and I only started taking her air rifle shooting at around 4 years old due to her being pathalogically gun shy. Now, at 8 she's a veteran of the beating line and fetches all my pigeons. She still has issues regards her hips, but regular exercise keeps her active. Take it steady and there's no reason why you won't get a good few years from him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_commoner Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 in short yes dont theink the retrieving will be a problem, i think the gun might be, go slowly and you should be ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 Don't listen to colour nonscence its just a silly prejudice associating colour with show lines. Yes it can work, indeed you will perhaps have more sucess than i have had trying to get my total work lines GWP to be anything other than a full on workaholic. Seriously its a pain in the off season especially when you live in "game sentral station" indeed talking work lines and show lines besides wining at peg i think you might find it easier to train than some of todays speed freak skinny labs Good luck and little steps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miroku4399 Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 Years ago my dad bought a small labrador cross home from a rescue centre he worked at,she was about 6 I think but she turned out to be a cracking little gundog and she would work for both me and my dad. Whether we were out ferreting or rough shooting. Unfortunatly she died a couple of years ago of old age but i would love to have a dog like her again. Shane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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