Where can I go or who could I contact with regards to picking up at shoots, or anything really to give my lab Oscar a varied working life. Any info concerning this would be appreciated. Really I don't know where to start or who to ask. I'm hoping that John, you might be able to help me with this one - always reading your posts, so would be obliged to hear from you and anyone else with any advice or observations. Oscar is only 13 weeks, we are going to pup classes and I'm doing as much socialisation as possible. Thanks.

Believe me Mel, training gundog work is great fun for both you and your dog whether you ever get around to using the training or not. Labradors love to retrieve and the working for their owner seems to bring them even closer to us.

At 13 weeks you have plenty of time. Socialising and basic obedience is the order of the day at the moment. I start puppy retrieve training right from the start, indoors, tossing the dummy (made from a stuffed sock) into the corner of the room and allowing the puppy to run in and hold it straight away. I arrange myself close enough to the corner so that I can prevent the puppy from passing me so that it can only bring it back to me. The puppy soon finds that bringing it back is good fun because he gets lots of praise and so the habit is formed for the future.

I stop retrieving as soon as the puppy starts changing its teeth and only restart when the puppy teeth have all gone. From then on the play retrieves stop and it is then work! No more running in. Sit and wait until sent!

I also start whistle training right from day one. The good things like calling for food are ideal times to build up good associations with the whistle!

These are a few ideas to start you on your way but really you need a training group or club to keep you on the straight and narrow. These usually have plenty of links to shooting estates. These places are always on the look out for well trained dogs and once the training is there the offers start to arrive. If you like to give me your approximate location I might be able to tell you of some training in your area.

Best wishes, John

Thanks alot John for your finding my request and replying, I'm on the south coast of Cornwall. I thought the same even if we never put the training in to proper practice, at least Oscar would be well trained and probably enjoy and I'm really enjoying training. Did a lot of training with my last lab and she was great but hope to really really try that bit more this time and of course enjoy and have fun at the same time.

The dummy/stuff sock ok - silly question maybe - but stuffed with what?? Only asking as someone mentioned in chat (straw!!!) does that make any sense to you (I'm complete novice) Only stuffing I do is Kong and the occassional turkey!!!

Thanks again good tips but do you also treat when you praise for the retrieve. Got a whistle so will start to incorporate that in certain instances and will speak to my trainer next week, second class last night Oscar was a star (although got to work on his mouthing/biting me - can't quite get the stop response I want - pitch not quite right - getting a sore throat!)

Look forward to some info yoou may well be able to provide in my area. With thanks

Mel, stuff socks with old socks or even tights, anything you have really. Beware tho as I trained my first pup with socks (actually starting with two old socks knotted together) and he still had a tendency to pick up odd socks today! I did introduce tennis balls too but only as a training aid before moving on to proper training dummies.

Choose a recall whistle that suits you and one that you can remember, my son chose something quite complicated and then moans I don't do it properly, we use a Two Ten and a Half which works well.

As far as somewhere to pick up - well get in with all the shooting folk you possibly can. Do you know any farmers who have shoots on their land? Go for walks and look for pheasants, that often gives a clue. My son found that once his 'foot was in the door' he had more beating than he could cope with, but then it helps if you have a well trained dog because people ask you back again!

Good luck.
Jacky

I think I'm going to have to do some serious reading whilst Oscar is growing. Any advice on which books to read concerning training.

I know lots of farmers but never needed to approach about whether they have shoots on their land more to buy their meat, but will and get them to put me in touch with the shoot organisers.

Will have a word with my trainer sure she will help they do agility and she is very good pleased so far, although was going to speak to her about it last night but there's a further class afterwards didn't have time but will make sure I do next week.

We use a Two Ten and a Half (sorry) Don't wish to sound dumb I have an idea but can you elaborate abit thanks. Also any other hints tips I can start Oscar on now would be great.

Gundog Training by Keith Erlandson and Gundog Handler's Guide to Picking Up by Veronica Heath would be a good start. You can get a selection of good videos from
http://www.euroguns.co.uk/acatalog/Copy_of_Dog_Training_Videos.html.

When you go and buy your meat, just have a word with the farmers so you can get to know some people who shoot and have working dogs. You'll find it a great help and a really good place to start is the pub they will drink in after the shoot!! Your whistle is fine, just don't make the noise you use too complicated. Peep Peep Peep will do for recall, long peep for stop, etc. (rather than our slow, slow quick quick slow, sort of effort!!) Find something that works for you and stick to it.

The best hint someone ever gave me with dog training is to start from the basics - sit/stay/heel/recall. When that behaviour is imbedded you can move on to the next thing. Any unsteadiness, go back to basics. Any problems with retrieving, just go back to basic recall and heel work. Unsteadiness means back to stay/sit, etc. I have a young cocker and we did nothing with her apart from basics for nearly a year, people kept making comments that her training wasn't progressing but she is wonderful now and brilliantly steady and responsive. I know labs are different and can get going a lot earlier, but if you instill the basics the rest will follow.

You would benefit greatly from knowing other working dogs in their working environment, so you can see what you want the end result to be - it's all so much easier in hindsight!

Why can't I do links??!! - thanks John, I've done it now!

Have a look at http://www.turnerrichards.co.uk for whistles, lanyards, dummies and just about any other working and training equipment.

210.5 whistle is fine. (The number denotes the pitch) If you ever loose it another of the same number will sound identical.

You’re a little out of my area. The Secretary of the nearest United Retriever Club area (Hampshire and South West) is Mrs S Hickling, Phone 01425 655268. I think they will be too far away from you but a phone call often brings another phone number! Working gundog people are a close knit community! The KC also does a list of Gundog Working societies, phone 0870 6066750.

As to books, I like the late Susan Scales “Retriever Training” Another is the new one out by James Douglas, “The Complete Gundog Training Manual” I must say names like “Complete” tend to put my back up because no book is ever complete on such a subject as this, but this book makes a reasonable attempt.

Best wishes, John

You missed the Http:// bit Jackyjat! ;)

Minds of information. Taken a look at the websites you both mentioned - interesting, and will get my local book shop to order in on your recommendations I love reading about dogs, behaviour, training etc so all good knowledge and even if I don't get to evenually take him out at least he'll be a well trained dog with capability and we'll both be wiser and more knowledgable.
A friend of a friend goes beating and she is going to have a word about my interest, so could be a good start to get involved and meet people, also will speak to my local farmer friends and see where that leads me. My local drinking hole have lots of horsey people who go hunting but notseen any after a shoot, will have venture out a bit more (other half will have no objections to this suggestion!!!) Thanks alot to you both for your interest in my post and great advice. Cheers

Mel, see if you can get a couple of days beating with your friend (without dog of course). Ask her to tell the 'keeper you don't need to be paid, and just want the experience! Get that foot in the door girl!

The beating sounds very promising. Another good book is Gundogs Their Learning Chain by Joe Irving.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Helen

hi i know this was done a while a go but i am also a beater i dont shoot but i love beating and picking up there is a really good message board i found http://pub109.ezboard.com/bgundogandbirddogforums there have everything on there and there are really helpful