One for the Gun Dog Guys

PM720 · December 22, 2002, 08:57 PM

I have an opportunity to pickup a purebread Golden Retriever for a good price. The question is, he's about a year old (and a city dog) and has not had any field training yet. Is it too late? I had heard you should start them younger. Any good training recommendations? Books?

Thanks,

Scott

dakotasin · December 23, 2002, 12:22 AM

skip this one unless you are after purely a family pet.

if you are looking for a dog to train, the highest success will come from a dog that gets started well before 12 weeks old (preferably around 8 weeks).

HSMITH · December 23, 2002, 10:23 AM

It CAN be done, but it will be a lot harder to do.

Get the book Water Dog if you duck hunt or Game Dog if you upland hunt, read it cover to cover and go get a puppy that is 49 days old. Follow the book EXACTLY and you will have a good gun dog if the dog has any potential at all.

dakotasin · December 23, 2002, 10:42 AM

also wanted to add that you can increase your odds of success by picking the right pup... there are seminars and books on this subject as well...

in a nutshell, i avoid the dominant male and female...and start making eliminations...this is a huge subject, though, and perhaps want to check out a seminar or 2...

TaxPhd · December 23, 2002, 11:45 AM

Of much more importance than the age is the lineage. Does it come from a line of hunters? What are the sire and dam like?

Lots of good info. on the net.

While I haven't used Wolters books, they don't seem to have a very good reputation on the various dog boards that I have visited. YMMV.

If it is out of good lines, a one year old dog can be turned into a good retriever.

PM720 · December 23, 2002, 01:16 PM

Thanks guys! I just recently found this website and now I am sad that it is going away just as I am getting to use it. Checking the lineage sounds like good advice. Do you have suggestions for other websites on gun dogs?

Scott

TaxPhd · December 23, 2002, 01:52 PM

All of my links are for pointing dogs. A quick Google search should turn up lots of hits. Try searching on "Retriever Training Forums."

December 22, 2002, 08:57 PM	#1
PM720 Junior Member Join Date: December 11, 2002 Location: Southern Calif Posts: 8	One for the Gun Dog Guys I have an opportunity to pickup a purebread Golden Retriever for a good price. The question is, he's about a year old (and a city dog) and has not had any field training yet. Is it too late? I had heard you should start them younger. Any good training recommendations? Books? Thanks, Scott

December 23, 2002, 12:22 AM	#2
dakotasin Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2002 Location: south dakota, U.S.A. Posts: 136	skip this one unless you are after purely a family pet. if you are looking for a dog to train, the highest success will come from a dog that gets started well before 12 weeks old (preferably around 8 weeks). __________________ Hunting is not a matter of life or death. It is much more important than that.

December 23, 2002, 10:42 AM	#4
dakotasin Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2002 Location: south dakota, U.S.A. Posts: 136	picking a pup also wanted to add that you can increase your odds of success by picking the right pup... there are seminars and books on this subject as well... in a nutshell, i avoid the dominant male and female...and start making eliminations...this is a huge subject, though, and perhaps want to check out a seminar or 2... __________________ Hunting is not a matter of life or death. It is much more important than that.

December 23, 2002, 11:45 AM	#5
TaxPhd Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 534	Of much more importance than the age is the lineage. Does it come from a line of hunters? What are the sire and dam like? Lots of good info. on the net. While I haven't used Wolters books, they don't seem to have a very good reputation on the various dog boards that I have visited. YMMV. If it is out of good lines, a one year old dog can be turned into a good retriever. __________________ TaxPhd "Those who live by the sword are probably pretty f***ing good at it." "Instructions for a successful gunfight: Front Sight, Press Trigger, repeat as necessary." - B. Braxton

December 23, 2002, 01:52 PM	#7
TaxPhd Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 534	All of my links are for pointing dogs. A quick Google search should turn up lots of hits. Try searching on "Retriever Training Forums." __________________ TaxPhd "Those who live by the sword are probably pretty f***ing good at it." "Instructions for a successful gunfight: Front Sight, Press Trigger, repeat as necessary." - B. Braxton

December 23, 2002, 10:23 AM	#3
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2002 Posts: 2,019	It CAN be done, but it will be a lot harder to do. Get the book Water Dog if you duck hunt or Game Dog if you upland hunt, read it cover to cover and go get a puppy that is 49 days old. Follow the book EXACTLY and you will have a good gun dog if the dog has any potential at all.

December 23, 2002, 01:16 PM	#6
PM720 Junior Member Join Date: December 11, 2002 Location: Southern Calif Posts: 8	Thanks guys! I just recently found this website and now I am sad that it is going away just as I am getting to use it. Checking the lineage sounds like good advice. Do you have suggestions for other websites on gun dogs? Scott