I am getting a pointing lab puppy with great blood line. I want to make sure i don't do anything to mess her up. I want to help her bring out her natural ability. What tips do you all have for me.

Just wanted to say congrats on the new puppy. I will be picking my puppy up in 3 days, I can't wait. I am a beginner in the pointing lab experience, but I think you are looking in the right place for information, this group seems to have lots of experience, and are willing to share their knowledge. I have been visiting this websites forum since Nov. 2011, lots of information. Your topic has been brought up in earlier posts, lots of good information in those posts. First thing I did was buy Julie Knutsons book "Training the Pointing Labrador", comes highly recommended. I'm still working on digesting all the information contained in the first few sections of the book.

Also just wanted to take this opportunity to thank all the people in this group that share their information, ideas, and experiences in this forum. Also enjoy your pictures and videos!!!


Good luck with the new pup!!! And thanks to ALL the members who share!!!
Mike

Welcome, You sure you want to go down the road of owning and hunting behind a pointing lab? Just kidding, I love the two I have.

Get Julie Knutson's book 'Training the Pointing labrador" and Poudre Rivers Trainign The Pointing labrador CD pack.

Only thing I can suggest is don't let your dog catch birds when they are young, as that opens up a whole nother can of worms to fix.

Congrats on the new pup.

Welcome, You sure you want to go down the road of owning and hunting behind a pointing lab? Just kidding, I love the two I have.

Get Julie Knutson's book 'Training the Pointing labrador" and Poudre Rivers Trainign The Pointing labrador CD pack.

Only thing I can suggest is don't let your dog catch birds when they are young, as that opens up a whole nother can of worms to fix.

Congrats on the new pup.

Congrats! Lots of great info and People in the APLA.

My pup is now 12 months old. He passed his Certified Pointing test at 7 months.

I relied heavily on Julie's book. Very good/ great resource.

Kevin says "Birds" and that is correct. There are some great youtube videos out there.

I traveled to a hunt test in Kansas and discovered a few things. Don't overlook the other great lab trainers out there. Mike Lardy, Evan Graham, and I like Gary Buys stuff. ( The great thing about the DVD's is that you see the pro trainers in Real Time and how they correct their dogs. Highly recommend you watch some videos and DVD's.

The early months go fast, enjoy the daily walks and incorporate training into everyday!

I work Big Ben on Whoa everyday when feeding. So instead of making him sit, I whoa him and then release him with an OK ( ok in my training tells him he can go without my expection to return).

CPR Sir Big Ben

mike

Thank you all very much. I am going to get both the book and DVD's ASAP. Do any of you live in or by northern Virginia?

Not Northern Virginia, but near Raleigh, North Carolina. If you need any help, just give a shout. I will send you a PM with my phone number, feel free to call anytime.

Posted By Mike Stallman on 26 Jan 2012 01:17 PM

I work Big Ben on Whoa everyday when feeding. So instead of making him sit, I whoa him and then release him with an OK ( ok in my training tells him he can go without my expection to return).

Good suggestions on trainer, I would add Bill Hillmann. I one thing I substituted in Bill training was I used whoa where he used sit...

I would also recommend NOT USING "OK" as your release word. We use the word
"ok" to often in your daily conversations. Your standing around with your hunting buddies, with your dog at heel or sitting and in your converstation you say "ok" to your buddy and all sudden your dog takes off... (I see this happen all the time around the hunt club)

You can't get mad at your dog... They heard their release word...

I would use "free" or "release"...