Moss the lab, coming on well.

[Hannah4181 260]

I posted a couple of months ago about a rescue lab that i simply couldn't leave where he was, so he joined my little pack. He's doing well given the start he's had, a couple of incidents involving electric cables and burnt mouths, but we've overcome that now . . hopoefully.

 

He's no where near as nervous as he was and has bonded with me and the other dogs well, he's VERY puppyish still, clumsy and eager to carry and move any object he finds. . . . which having never had a lab, i find really annoying!!!

 

The basic training and of general commands and manners has been an easy process, he's desperate to learn and eager to please. I am hoping to start the gun dog training in the next week or two, so we shall see how he fairs.

 

 

A few shots from this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dave C 63]

He is looking good Hannah and i am please he has settled down nicely.

Start your Gundog training as soon as possible and like you say he is eager to learn so should pic up the basics quickly.

Just keep the training sessions short, learning one thing at a time then gradually bringing it all together and i am sure he will do you proud.

Good luck with his training and if you hit any problems just ask.

 

ATB

Dave.

[Hannah4181 260]

He is looking good Hannah and i am please he has settled down nicely.

Start your Gundog training as soon as possible and like you say he is eager to learn so should pic up the basics quickly.

Just keep the training sessions short, learning one thing at a time then gradually bringing it all together and i am sure he will do you proud.

Good luck with his training and if you hit any problems just ask.

 

ATB

Dave.

 

 

Thanks Dave, i'm pretty sure you'll be getting a few PM's!

 

A guy i know who works on lost of the shoots i photograph, trains gun dogs for a living . . .. my plan was to have lessons with him, for me to learn how to teach him, and then obviously practice with the dog until i have that bit nailed . . . back for the next lesson etc.

 

The worry i have at the moment ............................. i am off to South Africa in 4 weeks for a 2 week holiday, the dog will be staying at my sisters. The trainer has offered to have him for 2 weeks for me, to start the basics with him and then work with me and the dog once i'm home. To be honest i'm pretty tempted, my concern would be that he wouldn't work as well for me if the trainer has him whilst i'm away??

 

As i've said in my post, the dog is IMO ready to start some proper training, he bores quickly if not exercised massively and then will chew etc . . . . again puppyish habits that i am not at all worried about, BUT 2 weeks in a house with children and not as much exercise, may undo some of the training i have already done!

 

I am totally new to gun dog training so would be very appreciative of advise on this matter.

[North Country Boy 0]

I personaly would leave him with the trainer, if the trainer is worth his salt he will take on board your comments and know how to treat your dog while you are away then when you return introduce you to the training he has started and you cantake it from there, i know many friends who have sent their dogs away to be trained and when theyve come back, months later, they have bonded very well with their original owner and gone on to be fab dogs. Indeed my ESS bitch was 3 when i bought her fully trained, having spent lots of time with her initialy and worked her as often as i could shes a lovely dog and we understand each other perfecly. Hope all goes well for you both hes a lovely looking lab.

[Hannah4181 260]

I personaly would leave him with the trainer, if the trainer is worth his salt he will take on board your comments and know how to treat your dog while you are away then when you return introduce you to the training he has started and you cantake it from there, i know many friends who have sent their dogs away to be trained and when theyve come back, months later, they have bonded very well with their original owner and gone on to be fab dogs. Indeed my ESS bitch was 3 when i bought her fully trained, having spent lots of time with her initialy and worked her as often as i could shes a lovely dog and we understand each other perfecly. Hope all goes well for you both hes a lovely looking lab.

 

 

Thanks for your response, i'm pretty much decided that he can stay with the trainer. I just needed to hear that its not a major no no in gun dog training. He isn;t a normal dog because of the poor start he's had, so the trainer knowing him and understanding his slightly edgy/nervous manner until he trusts you, is a massive bonus. Moss loves the trainer, we've only walked him out together with the trainers dogs so far, but he's one of those men that ALL dogs just adore!

[Fil 0]

Definatly leave him with the trainer. I've had to leave my trainee Gundog with family when I've gone on holiday and when I got back had to restart his training almost from square one again.

[tiny tim 22]

i,d leave with the trainer....he wont pick up bad habits there.

training not hard if you take it slowly ....one step at a time.......enjoy

[Hannah4181 260]

Thanks guys, all booked in for boot camp!

[North Country Boy 0]

Thanks guys, all booked in for boot camp!

 

You wont regret it

[Dave C 63]

Good choice, i can understand your concern about you wanying to train the dog so the dog works for you, but 2 weeks wont make any difference in the scope of the training of the dog.

And you know he wont pick up any bad habbits while you are a way, not like leaving him at home.

Good luck with him.

 

ATB

Dave.

[Nik_B 3,790]

How old is he?

 

I have a black lab that is 15 months. He's doing well and I am also thinking about sending him to a preffesional trainer for a month or two. The only problem is that not having him here would be horrible so I am going to try to time it for when I work out of the country.....that should make the wifes life a bit easier as she already has her hands full with work, children and the house.

 

Moss looks a lovely looking dog.

 

Best of luck with him.

[Hannah4181 260]

How old is he?

 

I have a black lab that is 15 months. He's doing well and I am also thinking about sending him to a preffesional trainer for a month or two. The only problem is that not having him here would be horrible so I am going to try to time it for when I work out of the country.....that should make the wifes life a bit easier as she already has her hands full with work, children and the house.

 

Moss looks a lovely looking dog.

 

Best of luck with him.

 

 

He's just turned 12 months............. but mentally he's very much behind................ 11 months in a kennel and zero socialisation, training or real interaction with people, has left him far behind where my yearling pups normally are. However he is an exceptionally bright lad and as i've said desperate to please and learn. The difference in him in the short time i've had him is immense. On collecting him he was savage with other dogs, due to fear, and very barky and aggressive again through fear with people. Not house trained, never been on a lead, very loose guts, under weight and generally a nervous wreck.

 

He will now walk to heal on or off the lead, his recall is spot on, loves other dogs and people, will sit, stay and lay down, retrieves perfectly, house trained and an all round more confident and settled dog. He still has a few quirky ways but a lot of these are just down to his age. I am confident that with the basics now covered he would take to the more advanced training easily, the trainer is a friend and very good at what he does, i feel happy leaving him there whilst i'm on holiday, more as a kick start to "proper" training! I will continue weekly lessons with the trainer when i return, as i'm really looking forward to the challenge!

 

Again as i said before, this lad NEEDS to be stimulated both mentally and physically every day, if he's not, he will chew and start to be a pain in the arse. He's currently getting a 2 hour walk twice a day and that keeps a lid on him along with short training sessions. I suspect once the proper training starts he will become more mentally tired and i can slacken the exercise off a bit.