My Black Lab

[shootinforfood 18]

hi all.

 

I have a 4.5 year old black lab x. not entirely sure what he is crossed with, vet thinks possibly some form of terrier. never had any proper tests done as is he isn't violent or aggressive so never felt the need.

 

anyway, he was badly mistreated as a puppy, his first owner locked him in a kitchen cupboard and moved out of the flat. he was found about 5 days later in a bad way, very thin, bad hips and hind legs and very nervous around people. signs of being beaten and neglected and brusing on his stomach.

 

the woman who rescued him had him for about 18 months until her neighbour tried to poison him twice putting bleach on meat and then throwing it over the fence. luckily she caught it on both occasions. I had him from her when he was 2, had him nearly 3 years now and he has always been a bit clumsy and a bit hyper.

 

I want to know if it is worth training him and working him, taking into account his upbringing and the fact that he has no real discipline, except for the fact that he will sit, lay down, and come back if he is relatively close when off the lead.

 

[sikastag_1 689]

Well in for taking him on mate some nasty b*****ds in the world looks well now though obviously in good hands. As long as he ain't gun shy and you can stop him and get him to come back on command there's no reason why he couldn't work away in a beating line.

[shootinforfood 18]

he is a bit jumpy around shotguns, but fine with the air rifles. he is getting used to shotguns, I took him out with a local guy and held him back while the shots were being taken until he stopped flinching then gradually moved closer. never actually sent him out to retrieve though.

 

he can run like the best of them, crazy speeds for a big un. he is a tad over weight at the moment, my son loves letting him take treats from his hand lol.

 

got any tips for starting him off as a retriever?

[Rhodey 96]

Enjoy him as a pet learn more about working gundogs while you have him then when he's old or gone get a pup and start from scratch.

[shootinforfood 18]

Enjoy him as a pet learn more about working gundogs while you have him then when he's old or gone get a pup and start from scratch.

 

I have started training him a bit, mostly just redoing the basics, sit, wait, heel and so on. I think I might take him to the vet to get his ears checked. he seems a tad deaf. I have had a look for way or mites and cant see anything unusual. when he is at heel he will do anything I say, but if he is 10-15 yards away he doesn't respond as well. even if I raise my voice a bit. not shout but just bring the volume up a bit to try and get him to hear me. if he is facing me he is a bit better, but side on and from behind he s practically stone deaf as far as I can tell. in the house he is fine, but the house is usually quite quiet

[Rhodey 96]

I think you need to speak to someone who trains dogs for some help if you are serious about training him. He isn't deaf it's called I'm not close enough for a bollocking so I'll ignore you, anyway good luck with him.

[stroller 341]

Do the gundog club training courses a bit expensive but for a novice its really good, you and your dog will benefit so much there will be a class near you. www.thegundogclub.co.uk

[shootinforfood 18]

I have a few experience gundog owners that are helping me with him, but I don't think im going to carry on any further than getting him to fetch and come back when he is called, or to a whistle.

 

took him to vets this morning for an all over check. she said his hearing is a bit lower than it should be, but nothing serious...but, his hips arent aligned properly, and his hind legs are slightly twisted...this is probably as a result of his first owner abusing him as a pup.

 

I can still exercise him every day and he can still jump fences and so on, but I have to keep an eye out for any signs at all that he cant cope and make him lay down for a while. onset of arthritis was found in his hind legs too...

 

sad news, threw me a bit as he is a great dog, never bitten or gone for any other dogs except playfully, always gentle around the baby, and anyone new he meets. always full of energy and nothing gets him down. never shown any signs of being in pain or needing a rest, but I am going to follow the vets advice and just keep him as a pet, train him to be obedient and then let him be a dog

 

will look for a puppy for next year, something like a yellow Lab or might even try a totally new breed. any thoughts for a good retriever. not really interested in a hunter or pointer, just a retriever.