help with training a dog

this weekend me and my family broke down and bought a yellow lab puppy, it is a male and it is 5 weeks old. the family selling is ready to let them go at 7 weeks, the mom and dad of this puppy were both excellent duck hunters. i know this is way to early to start training for duck hunting, but what age would you think would be a good age to start training?

Fun retrievals and wings can be and should be started when you bring him home. We start working with clients dogs at 8-9 weeks. Keeping it fun for now is key. Short sessions with the fun retrieves and not letting them chew the wings.

I strongly suggest picking up a video called Water Dog. It gives you step for step details on training your dog. A lot of time is spent on obedience training. Come, sit, heel, stay....If you think about it, nothing ruins a hunt more than an out of control dog. The best dogs in the field are the ones that listen (Im sure we've all seen those chasing dogs that are running away, yelling at their dog to come, all over in the boat, etc. etc.). I'd also be open minded on your training. Give you time to be a pup and dont worry that he/she does not retrieve 6 months into his/her life. This took me so long to figure out. My dog had very little interest in bumpers, wings or even real ducks for the first year of life. He's 5 now and I wouldnt trade him for anything. Start at the beginning.

My advice to you is to venture on over to the RTF (retriever training forum) people ask questions like yours daily and a lot of knowledgable folks share their opionion. You'll come to find the search function on that site is quite helpful for any questions you might have. Good luck and enjoy the ride!!

Obedience is the MOST important part of having a good hunting dog and that can start right away. This will continue for the rest of his life. This is not "natural" so every now and again he will "test" you to see if he can do things the way he would like instead of your way. More advanced training is more "natural" to what the dog would like to do, genetics plays a large part here. This advanced training will be relatively easy compared to perfect obedience. A dog that will SIT (until I say different)HEAL (same side and at my pace) and COME (right now)at the bare minimum is much easier to teach "hunting" and will be a pleasure to have along on your hunts. Not as glamorous or fun as the future training but THE MOST IMPORTANT.

If you want some advise give me a call I can put you on a quality program you can do at home. 920 809-6770

Start the basic stuff right away. I have a german shorthair thats 4 1/2 months. Been working with him since he was 8 weeks. Work on getting him to come when called. You can also work on retrieving. Work on retrieving in a hallway if you can. Close all the doors that makes him have to come right back to you not wander off. Hope this helps.