Anybody trained their own dog?

[Realtree56]

So my brother got me hooked on duck hunting 3 years ago, and decided I wanted a dog. Bought a chocolate lab female, currently 4 months old. Her dad was a duck hunter, mom was field trial dog, and the pup is a natural. She is only 4 months old now, but man she picks up on most stuff I challenge her with incredibly fast. I'm not opposed to paying the money for a kennel to train her, but the more we work, the more I want to do it on my own.... My question is if y'all have suggestions, and where to find info. Been using YouTube videos so far, but I haven't found anything consistent and most are just for dogs, not hunting dogs.... Your help and or advice is appreciated!
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[bloodtrailing]

Book - Gun Dog is good.

Main thing is working with them a little bit every day. I trained pointers and retrievers and did all of them myself. They need to know your voice and that you are their master.

 

[TnKen]

A lot of good dvds out there. Evan graham or Chris Akin are pretty good for basic duck dog training

 

[JAY B]

I suggest buying the book "10 minute retriever" I took my lab a long ways with that book!

 

[Mike Belt]

"Water Dog" It covers the basics and is a great tool for training. You also need to get your dog accustomed to a gun. I'd take a friend and he'd shoot while I handled the dog. At first he was placed 100 yards away and gradually got closer while I'd throw a bird for the dog to fetch. It didn't take long before my dogs loved the gun.

 

[Scud]

Got to agree with Water Dog. Worked well for me.

 

[tickweed]

Your best bet is to get with a person who has trained dogs that is knowledgeable maybe find a pro near your area that would be willing to let you help in return to learn some things

 

[Duck dogn]

I vote water dog book also! Trained my own but during the puppy stage didn't have the time to spend like I should've. Point being I missed some important factor but he will go get a duck ! Lol definitely not a test dog.

 

[Trapper]

I suggest buying the book "10 minute retriever" I took my lab a long ways with that book!

A great book

 

[TN Whitetail Freak]

I started my dog off tracking deer and shed hunting in may I started training him to retrieve ducks and hunt test. By August I had made two passes in started flights

 

[corymhoward]

There is a reason people get paid a whole lot of money to train a dog

 

[casjoker]

Ten Minute Retriever is pretty solid. Anything by Bill Hillman or Mike Lardy. Find one system and stick to it. Join the local retriever club! http://www.etrclub.org/join.htm

Nothing like others who have trained to help. There are pretty regular events and a couple of pros who are a great help. I currently have a 1-year-old Chessie I am training myself. I am hoping to get a MH title on him by this time next year. With a pro he probably would have done it in 18 months instead of the 24 it may take me. Yes, he may be further along if a pro trained him but there is a lot of satisfaction doing it yourself.

 

[Chaneylake]

Ten Minute Retriever is pretty solid. Anything by Bill Hillman or Mike Lardy. Find one system and stick to it. Join the local retriever club! http://www.etrclub.org/join.htm

Nothing like others who have trained to help. There are pretty regular events and a couple of pros who are a great help. I currently have a 1-year-old Chessie I am training myself. I am hoping to get a MH title on him by this time next year. With a pro he probably would have done it in 18 months instead of the 24 it may take me. Yes, he may be further along if a pro trained him but there is a lot of satisfaction doing it yourself.

Mike Lardy is one of the best
a 2 yo. MH would be an awesome accomplishment
It took me 3 yrs. 9 mo. on my first MH

 

[casjoker]

My dog earned his jr title today at 13 months old. He is up to senior level work and if I can get him steady should get senior by May. Actually that's the only hold up...he is an absolute basket case in the holding blinds. He is very collar wise and would definitely pass senior level with the ecollar. Without it he would never honor and would probably break well before we got to that point. Good thing is we have plenty of time work on th obedience. On to a duck hunting trip in Maine next week the keep training for his senior test pass hopefully starting in February!

 

[Realtree56]

Thank you all for the responses!

 

[rukiddin]

There is a reason people get paid a whole lot of money to train a dog

PREACH!!!!!!! Dog trainers are a different breed. I've not met one yet that wasn't "wired" just a bit differently. And I don't mean that in a bad way!!!! My retriever was with a trainer fronm the time she was 7 months old till she was 14 months old. She is 3 1/2 now and to this day, whenever I take her to his place to train, she will heel to him without him saying a word. A good trainer is worth every single penny.