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Labs & Training???

Printed From: The BaitShop
Category: Hunting
Forum Name: Birds and Bird Dogs
Forum Description: Upland birds, turkey, waterfowl - and man's best friend!
URL: http://www.baitshopboyz.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5871
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 17:52
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Labs & Training???
Posted By: teebogr81
Subject: Labs & Training???
Date Posted: 20 August 2004 at 10:12

Anyone have any experience training labs for hunting?  Is there a point when a dog is just 'ruined' for training to hunt?  I have a very obedient and loyal black lab.  Beautiful dog.  However has been a city dweller and never around guns....YET.  But thought I'd like to see what he might do when exposed to the greater outdoors.

Any comments or opinions???



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Gen 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said ... and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. KJV



Replies:
Posted By: Tikkabuck
Date Posted: 20 August 2004 at 10:34

 Hey There

  One of the best dogs I ever had came from a non sporting life style. Get yourself a book called Water Dog,probaly the greatest traing aid us humans can have,I'll get the authors name when I get to the house for ya,do a serach on Amazon.com. Get him started slowly,introduce him to loud noises slowly while his mind is on somthing else. Heres a good start while he's eating drop a pan on the floor and see how he reacts. That might give you some insight.( Don't drop from 10' just start out easy).

                        



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God,Mother,Country,and Hot Rods. Done with political crap.LOL


Posted By: Spot shooter
Date Posted: 20 August 2004 at 15:26

1 is he bond'd to you from a pup,

2 is he afraid of loud noises?

  If he hasn't been around noises like gun's get a cap gun, take him in the yard, hide it under something and let it pop then give him a bone.  Do it a couple of times then he'll be all over ya, play it like it's a game and start exposing the pop of the cap until you can hold it within 10 feet of him and he's more interested in the reward of the dog bone than the pop itself... Heck at that point he'll be wanting that thing to go off.

  Next get a starter pistol that take blanks.. after the first couple of pops' he'll forget about it.  Next drive him to a gun club and see how he does.  First park way far away from the shooting, and watch his ears closely as you walk him up close and have him sit and get use to it.  If he hangs up and wants to wait let him do it.  He's either gonna not care at all (hopefully) or by then he'll get use to it.  Take a ball or frisbee with you in case he's bothered by the shooting.  Play with him and he'll forget the shooting.  If his ear's are down, and tails' down your too close and screw'd up.  ... you get the idea.

  For the house... or around the yard you can do two things.

1)  I call dead bird training.  - First take a bone and throw it where he can see it and yell dead bird.  Of course he won't hear it but the motion of your arm and the drive to go "get it" will be overwehlming.  Do it a few more times, then when he's not looking throw it so he really doesn't see you arm move but he can see it fly, and see's your arm pointing that way.  Keep that up for a day or two.  Next when he's paying attention to something else throw the bone, wait and then holler while pointing and yell dead bird.  He'll pretty quick get it that there is something good in there.  Lastly do it with a ball or toy and give him the bone when he brings it back.

2)  Tracking... "turn his nose on"    have one of the kids hold him, and take a bone where he can see it and drag it across the rug and put it under a couch.  Then get behind him sweep your arm like your throwing the bone in that direction and tell him to find it (then stand back).  Do it a few more times, then start taking it from his room into another room where he can't see it and hide it.  DON'T help him out he needs to find it.  Do that for a week or so.  Next Lock him in a bedroom and drag the bone on the rug from that door throw a room to a hiding place.  Open the door and do the hand thing like your rolling a quarter where you started dragg'n  it.  With any luck he'll get that you want him to scent find stuff... The kids will do this for months when your not home, and the dog will love every minute of it.

3)  "Whoa" training... You have to be able to stop that dog if he's headed to jump run or move into the line of fire or a car.  Best way to do it gently is to get him to stop when you stop.. by saying whoa, then advancing it over time to the "red light / green light" by saying whoa and OK, or take it  or whatever.

Most important with any dog is the same hand motion and commands.  Each command has to be specific. Especially with a lab (they're smart).  Give vs. Give here may mean drop it vs. put it in my hand.  Your wife is goin' to be the hardest to train so it's best to see what she likes saying, explain consistancy (harder than it sounds) and then teach everyone before you teach the dog.

good luck!

Spot




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