Hi,
I wanted to try and train my Labrador to retieve on shoots, she loves retrieving for fun and can find dummy's she didnt see thrown, although I dont use "proper commands" as I dont know what they would be, I just point her in the right direction and ask her to fetch.

I think she is able to do a lot more but I don't know how best to go about it, does anyone know of training clubs in the North Wales area?

Would I be able to attend such clubs as a complete novice or do I have to be upto a certain standard?

Also some friends of mine think she is too old as she is 1 year old now and I think I should have started seriuos training at 6 months?

Also she is a chocolate labrador with light green coloured eyes and I'm told that that will make her difficult to train, is that true?

Thanks very much all advice greatfully recieved.
Ken

Hi Ken, your late but not too late. What part of North Wales are you? There is really not a United Retriever Club area hear you but there is two organisation that I've heard of, one at each end of North Wales so one of those may suit. Let me know your approx location and I'll get a phone number.

Yes, clubs take raw novices so you would find dogs of your standard when you get there and working people are generally easy to get along with.

<<Also she is a chocolate labrador with light green coloured eyes and I'm told that that will make her difficult to train, is that true?>>

You'll never know till you try, will you! :) Get started and have fun. You will enjoy it and so will your dog!

Best wishes, John

If you are interested in working trials Ken let me know and maybe I can help?  I am from Mold and go to working trials every other sunday morning in Llandegla. 

HI
would I have to know what I'm doing, (because I don't) could I come as an observer to see what goes on? and should I bring my dog first time round? do I have to book in or join a club?

Im other side of Denbigh on the Abergele road.

John, are you the same john that worked his dogs at the CLA game fair last year? as it was watching them that's inspired me. and from reading your other posts you definately know what your doing.

thanks

I'd say that the age of the dog has got less impact than the extent to which it has been allowed to pick up bad habits. Some trainers start in earnest at 6 months, but plenty allow their dog to mature for a few more months before doing very much.

It will certainly help if general basic obedience has been ingrained as well as avoiding such things as chasing game, playing 'tug-of-war' and excessive & poorly controlled retrieving.

Classes are a good way to learn, in addition I would recommend getting hold of some books and videos on the subject. There are plenty available & if you would like some suggestions I would be happy to pm you. These will give you a good idea of the typre of commands to use, and what you are aiming at.

Have fun!

Ken,
Just so that you know - Working Trials are different to Field Trials or Working Tests.

Working Trials are not based on training a dog as a gundog but is a seperate discipline - majority of competitors use border collies & GSDs (although I think all breeds can compete, and Labs can be quite successful) Probably more aligned with the kind of training a police dog would receive rather than a gundog.

May be worth having a look at both types and deciding which you prefer.

Sorry Ken, wish I was but no, I was not at the game fair last year. I'll be there this year though, we have been asked to man the scurry. I dont know for sure yet which day it will be though because we are getting all the offers for help in then sorting out the days when we get organised.

Working Trials are great fun but there is a little bit of a clash between the two disaplines. I have a couple of dogs in my class who do working trials but find that thetraining for one does not really suit the other. Nothing against it, in fact were I not into gundog work it is something I could get interested in.

Best wishes, John

Sorry Ken should have pointed out that WT is different that FT.  WT is more like Police Dog work really with searching, tracking, scaling, jumping bit of heelwork and stays etc etc.  I can't remember the name of the FT club here I am sure there is one.  I will ask around for you.

About the nearest I would have thought is "Clwyd Retriever Club". Now all I have to do is find a contact phone number!! I'll get back to you on that as soon as I have something.

Best wishes, John

Hi Ken. Not wanting to put phone numbers on an open forum I've PM'ed you with a contact number for the Clwyd Retriever Club. If you click on "Messages" at the top of this page you will go to it.

Best wishes, John

Labmad i've sent you a pm ref wt.

Thanks so much to you all,

I would prefer Field Trial to Working as I like to have a shoot myself, although only at crows and vermin, but I may be doomed from the start as I forgot about the neighbours chicken she caught when she was 4 months old, she ate it! 

I can imagine that if she got a game bird she might run away with it for supper, although she would bring back a dummy but I suppose a FT dog has to retrieve game too!

I have beem PM some local clun info (thannk You) so I'll call them and see what they say.

Cheers everyone.
K

At 8 months ago Ken she might have forgotten all about that by now. Watch the crows, they peck at the eyes if not dead. I always like to make really sure before I send Anna for one.

Best wishes, John

When I first started in flatcoats, one of my bitches caught and killed a chicken when she was only 4 months old. She turned out to be one of the best working bitches I ever had with game. Also at a year old she is not too old for training, I never really do much before mine are about 9 months to a year, as my breed matures (mentally), very slowly. I have found that even within a breed different dogs mature at different rates and are therefore ready for training at different ages.
As to her colour and green eyes, why would this affect her trainability? That would be like saying everyone who is blond with blue eyes is a stereotypical dumb blond! I know there are a few breeders I have spoken to who seem to think the chocolate labs mature more slowly, so are not as popular with working dog owners.