Training Resource- Lab for Upland hunting?

[R.K.]

The new year is bringing a few big changes for me, and some things I've been waiting a long time for. Moving back to Montana, getting married, and most importantly- finally getting a pup! After entirely too much deliberation, I've settled on trying to get a female yellow lab to train as a fellow couch potato that occasionally goes upland hunting. In addition to being a boat dog, bed hog (not my idea), and hiking companion.

Since I didn't already have enough chaos in my life, I'm looking for a litter, trying to do my due diligence on health and temperament, and failing to put together a decent training plan. Which means I'm turning to the endless benevolence of the HT forum to ask for help- either an online resource, a book, or a just a general idea of what to do. At this point, I'll take whatever help I can get. I'd also be open to suggestions on where to look for a pup to get this spring.

Thanks all, and hope everybody had a good bird season.

 

[TheJason]

Training plan is easy. Work on basic obedience and expose your pup to as many things as you can in the first 6-7 months. Collar condition at that point and then hunt the dog as much as you can. Do your force fetch after the first hunting season.

Edit: read up on marker or clicker training and use it. Don’t be afraid to heavily use treat rewards for training in the first six to eight months.

 

[crock239]

Congrats on all fronts.

I got a yellow lab from Cornstalker Kennels in Sioux Center, IA three years ago...she's an upland hunting machine and completely chill in the house.

I followed a YouTube series on training a yellow lab. Standing Stone Kennels is the YouTube channel. I think the training series video I used (a training video series on Sprig, a little yellow lab) might be behind a paywall now, but I thought it was really good and helpful.

 

[crock239]

Training plan is easy. Work on basic obedience and expose your pup to as many things as you can in the first 6-7 months. Collar condition at that point and then hunt the dog as much as you can. Do your force fetch after the first hunting season.

Edit: read up on marker or clicker training and use it. Don’t be afraid to heavily use treat rewards for training in the first six to eight months.

When @TheJason talks dog training, listen.

 

[utah400elk]

It’s dated, but I have used the training method in “gun dog” and “water dog”. Super easy for me and it worked with all five of my Chocolate Labs. I started them early and the traning was fun and easy.

 

[SilentBirdHunter]

As far as a puppy, make sure the breeder has tested and documentation for BOTH parents Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC), Hips, Eyes, CNM.

For upland hunting, a daily solo SILENT puppy walk, just you and pup, no other dogs, no other people is key. Stay silent, let pup boldly explore, when you want pup to change directions, simply walk the opposite way. Pup learns to pay attention to you and becomes a "rubber band".

Teach pup that each single command is not "background music", do not repeat commands.

Condition pup for a quick response to the sit whistle:

 

[MT Bound]

ditto what these guys have already said^
about 1.5 yrs back the wife had to get dogs again so I made her at least get dogs that can hunt, I'm learning as much as they are on dog temperament and training, what works and what doesn't. books, youtube videos, and advice from other hunters.

my experience has been not to expect perfection overnight, it's a long game and I think the best thing I've done is take the pup for a daily walk (actually every 2 or 3 days) in the woods just me and the dog, this has worked great for obedience and recall, and just plain listening/responding to me and my body language. I also take a training dummy and throw a couple retrieves every walk, it's kinda been my therapy and a way to step away from the work computer for an hour or two, and has been a great bonding time with both dogs.

 

[Ben Lamb]

These guys are spot on. The biggest thing I had to learn was to relax and have fun. This is supposed to be fun for you and the dog. If you find yourself getting angry, stop and go do something else. If the dog associates anger with training/hunting you are setting both of you up for failure.

Don't expect your first dog to be a champion field dog. Just have fun and learn the process.

A resource that helped me be a better trainer was Tom Dokken's book: https://www.amazon.com/Tom-Dokkens-...cphy=9021299&hvtargid=pla-2281435181458&psc=1

 

[TheJason]

If you find yourself getting angry, stop and go do something else.

It’s really easy to get frustrated with your dog and take it out on them, but remember, the dog may not understand because you aren’t communicating what you want very well. Always be willing to take a step back in training.

 

[TheJason]

When @TheJason talks dog training, listen.

Thank you. I’ve been fortunate to test, train, and judge with some exceptional handlers and trainers, who have been kind enough to share their knowledge.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Thank you. I’ve been fortunate to test, train, and judge with some exceptional handlers and trainers, who have been kind enough to share their knowledge.

Such a good boy.

Who's a good boy?

@TheJason is a good boy.

 

[Irrelevant]

Those last two tips are invaluable.

I will also echo that just hunting the shit out of them turns them into a pretty good dog, at least if they treat you as a teammate