hoogs Posted January 15, 2013 Report Share Posted January 15, 2013 Hello all I have for one reason or another just been given a 6 month old lab bitch, the dog has not had the best of starts as the owner had no idea of the commitment they had signed upto. I need to know where to start. I would like to us the dog for rough shooting and picking up is it to late already as evan the basics are not their at the moment. The dog has full papers and is KC reg and looks in great shape any advice help pointers most welcome atb Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted January 15, 2013 Report Share Posted January 15, 2013 Firstly is the dog of a working pedigree ? if not you may struggle with training for the gun. At 6 months old you have plenty of time to bring her on and now is the ideal time to begin the basics of training , sit, stay etc, also some play retrieves but dont over do it , make the retrieve a reward for doing other things well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Actionpigeons Posted January 15, 2013 Report Share Posted January 15, 2013 I got my best lab bitch as a problem dog at 6 months old, She is working bred though. With a bit of luck, they may of done the socializing for you and you can just start with the basics. I would not worry at all, as long as she is work bred and not one of them chocolate things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted January 15, 2013 Report Share Posted January 15, 2013 in many respects its better than 6mnths and done too much, too soon. New boss new rules Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ91 Posted January 15, 2013 Report Share Posted January 15, 2013 (edited) Working lines doesn't matter. My dad had a Springer (not working parents, grandparents etc, just pets) from 7months, no basics, not even sit... Don't get me wrong it was no field trial champ standard but it would work all day long for him and obeyed any command he shouted within a split second. It is possible to make a good gundog out of your dog...patience needed, give it all the time you can spare. Edited January 15, 2013 by TJ91 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martyn2233 Posted January 15, 2013 Report Share Posted January 15, 2013 Working lines doesn't matter. My dad had a Springer (not working parents, grandparents etc, just pets) from 7months, no basics, not even sit... Don't get me wrong it was no field trial champ standard but it would work all day long for him and obeyed any command he shouted within a split second. It is possible to make a good gundog out of your dog...patience needed, give it all the time you can spare. im with him there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunsafe Posted January 15, 2013 Report Share Posted January 15, 2013 The latest advice I received was to train your dog to the lead, get him happy with wearing a lead led him drag ut along and gain his trust, walk him to heal for a couple of weeks, turning sharply if he gets a head of you saying heel as you turn with a slight tug and gentle voice he will soon get the message, before long you won't have to tug, just keep turning and change direction sometimes to the right some times to the left. You can incorporate the sit command into this as the next step by stopping with the sit command, gently pushing din his rear until he gets that message won't take long before you can walk to heal and get him sitting on command. When you are confident you have accomplished this move on to other stages, sit stay etc. Make sure you reward him with gentle praise when he does good and finsh with some play time. I am not an expert but it works for me, when you have gained trust and set yourself up as the pack leader, everything else is much easier. I am sure other people do it different ways, just thought I would share my methods with you if it helps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoogs Posted January 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2013 Gents Many thanks for all your advice unfortunatly the owner has had a re - think and has collected the dog today after the good lady had made the dog welcome been out and purchased some gear for it needless ton say we are all gutted. i would normally be made up for it to go back to its former owner but fear its future will be to remain indoors for long periods each day and will probably end up in a rescue 1 or 2 years from now. Thanks again atb Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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