Education

Understand what your retriever can do at what age If you have a young retriever that you plan on using as a gundog or hunting dog, you may be excited for your pup to move from the puppy stage to the “hunting machine” stage. And that is understandable. Unfortunately, too many people try to rush […]

A guide to walking your retriever – stress-free Does taking your dog for a walk leave you exhausted and embarrassed? I know how you feel. I have been there. There is a solution, and it is not as hard as you might think. But it does require some work and dedication on your part. Are […]

Using a pedigree to find your next hunting or competition dog If you are looking for a new retriever puppy, there are a lot of ways to go about the search. But if you are looking for that puppy to be an incredible hunting companion or a fierce hunt test competitor, you should be referencing […]

How to prepare for a new retriever puppy in your home Many people adopt a puppy with no idea what that will mean for their home and family. They think it will just be all cuteness and love. And don’t get me wrong, there will be a lot of that! But if you have not […]

The missing link to a great hunting dog What characteristics do you look for in a great hunting dog?  Obedient. Great prey drive. Strong retrieving desire.   These are all good and important characteristics, but what if I told you there is one more thing your dog needs to become a great hunting or competition […]

10 essential things your new puppy needs! Bringing a new Labrador puppy home is both exciting and terrifying. Puppies are so cute; you cannot help but fall in love with them immediately. Then you get them home and realize just how much work they are! Like human babies, Lab puppies require 24-hour care for those […]

Adding a new puppy to your home is a big commitment. It is a commitment in time, money, and emotion (I mean who doesn’t love puppies!). That is why it is especially important that you spend some time upfront preparing for this journey.

Every retriever trainer runs into issues somewhere along the line. When that happens, it usually is a result of one these common mistakes.

Recognizing dog avoidance behaviors and how to stop them. For the most part, Labs are not big fans of obedience training. They love to retrieve but walking at heel and sitting in a structured environment is not their favorite thing. And they often make their feelings well known. We often see Labrador Retrievers mope and […]

While price is an important consideration when choosing a professional retriever trainer, it should not be the only one. There are many components that should be factored into the discussion.

Many people think of electronic collars as a quick-fix solution for behavior issues. This could not be farther from the truth! But the electronic collar is a powerful training aid and when used correctly can dramatically speed the learning curve for your retriever.

4 ways stupid pet tricks are good for your dog Teaching your dog “stupid pet tricks” can be fun, but if your dog is also your hunting partner, you may be worried that teaching tricks will interfere or ruin him/her for hunting. It is a valid concern and there are some cautions, but generally teaching […]

Using tie outs for training hunting dogs, the why, when, and how There are many tools that are helpful when training retrievers for hunting or hunt tests. One that you may not think about is a tie-out or tie-down. At first glance this tool may seem like something no amateur trainer or one-dog family would […]

Solving hunting dog (gundog) delivery problems with retrievers Do you have a retriever puppy or older dog that loves to retrieve but never seems to bring the bumper or bird back to you? Dropping the bird on the way back to you or running away with the bumper are behaviors that can quickly become frustrating. […]

How to stop your puppy from biting your hands and feet – fast! Have you ever watched a litter of retriever puppies play with each other? It’s super cute. They are all mouths and feet as they growl, bite and paw at each other. All the wrestling and playing is simply part of the pup’s […]

Pheasant hunting can be loads of fun, but not if you are constantly struggling to keep your dog under control.

Early obedience first step to better hunting dog Labrador puppies start out sweet and innocent. You bring home the furry little bundle, and he/she is so unsure of their new surroundings. All you want to do is cuddle up with your pup and love them! And you should! But rest assured the innocence will not […]

Dog training terminology defined Those of us actively training hunting dogs day after day, often forget that not everyone understands the terminology we use. Sometimes it helps to take a step back and give some definition to terms, or at least put context around the terms we use so often. One set of terms that […]

Crate training your Lab puppy, why you should and a guide on how Labrador puppies are so cute and cuddly, it almost seems wrong to put them in a crate. But crate training is one of the best things you can do for your new puppy and for yourself. There are many benefits to crate […]

Potty train your puppy quickly Housebreaking is one of the least desirable tasks when adding a new puppy to your family. It is never fun but consider it a necessary task. You will never regret having a dog that knows your home is not a bathroom. When to start housebreaking Housebreaking should begin the day […]