For those of you who work your labs....

[Slinkyunicorn]

As you all know I have just become the proud owner of Max (cue gratuitous photo of handsome boy....)

and I was wondering what I do about maybe taking him out with a shoot? I have never done anything like it so what should I do, what should Max be able to do etc etc The Estate I live on has its own shoot and I know the gamekeeper and his wife well (they have helped catch the escaping coblet before now

....) so could speak to them but don't want to make a prat of myself

- well more then usual anyway

!! - I know they like spangles (they have springers) as they love Sweep

.....anyway rambling now....

Advice please!!!

Chocolate muffins for anyone who has read this far.........

 

[popsicle]

Lovely Lab.

If you take him hunting, just make sure you keep the safety catch on his gun

 

[kirstyhen]

Have a chat with the Gamekeeper, he'll help you out no end! And you won't look a fool, the way country sports are heading the more the merrier! Generally though a Lab should be steady to flushed/shot game/other dogs retrieving and stay at heel (as far as I know anyway, I only do Spaniels and they have a proper job

)

 

[GinaB]

Don't listen to Hen, you get a good lab and it'll work all day for you

All Spangles are good for is sending into shitty wee holes that a proper built lab can't

Seriously though, have a chat with the Gamekeeper

They will point you in the right direction

 

[popsicle]

Here's one of my lab at his first shoot, he retrieved a lesser spotted/striped doodle flip

 

[Scranny_Ann]

well ... i'm sure he will have it in him .. and with most gun dogs its not actually the dog that needs the training, it's the handler!!

i would suggest attending a few shoot days, without any dogs so you can get a feel of what happens. Watch the dogs, whats expected of them. Two very different jobs to do, either beating or picking up, i'm guessing you're interested in the latter?

Then of course, its training time, like Hen said spk to the Keeper, he will help with training. But you need your basics. Heel, stop whistle, recall, go back, out left, out right etc. Allof which takes time. One thing to remember you will only ever get back from a dog the effort you put in. I've got some amazing 'old school' gundog training books that my dad passed down to me, very old and a bit musty smelling but invaluable, welcome to borrow them anytime.

How exciting, it's a lovely sport/hobby .. very rewarding and you'll meet some interesting people!!!

 

[MurphysMinder]

[ QUOTE ]
Here's one of my lab at his first shoot, he retrieved a lesser spotted/striped doodle flip

[/ QUOTE ]


Ooh those striped doodle flips can be tricky

 

[camilla4]

As per Scranny Ann really. Don’t be afraid of asking the gamekeeper for help. Most shoots get fed up with people who act as though they know everything but really don’t so he’ll probably find it a breath of fresh air to have someone actually ask for advice! He may be able to point you in the direction of a local trainer who can train you – much better than sending Max away. Otherwise, pretty much everything else that Scranny Ann said. It really is very important to make sure his basic training is up to the mark – he really does need to be on your commands. He is definitely young enough to train though and you and he will have lots of fun