Starting a 2 yr old lab

[Sinker]

Is it possible?

I just adopted a 2 yr old male black lab. Hes a great dog, well mannered, and has basic OB.

Is it too late to get him on birds?

He likes to retrieve, but wouldn't touch a duck I threw for him......just to see.

Where do I start?

I know I will have a lot of work, but is it doable?

S.

[Dakota Creek]

Absolutely not too late! Your best bet may be to see if there is a retriever club close to you (possibly the Lake Ontario HRC) and see if they have training days coming up. Clubs welcome new members and are more than willing to help!

[Labber]

Wake up his retrieving desire with fun retrieves of chasing tennis balls & such.
Wake up his desire for birds with clipped winged pigeons.

[Sinker]

Oh he'll retrieve a ball all day long.....and then some.

I have a bumper that I only use for training time, with duck wings taped to it. He doesn't mind that, but was still a little hesitant to pick it up. My last lab wasn't a trained retreiver, but he would bring back anything you threw.....and I mean anything. This guy doesn't have as much drive to pick new things up, but a ball he will go all day long for.

S.

[TurkeyRookie]

Congrats on the new addition Sinker! I'm sure you can transfer some of your passion for birds into the pup! any pics?

[Sinker]

Yup, here he is. He's a 2yr old male black lab named Coby. Hes a firecracker compared to my last one, who was a 100lb chocolate. He's only 50-60lbs, So much easier to handle, and a lot more willingness to please. My chocolate was hard headed, and always looking to challenge me. This guy wants to please, but has no idea what a duck is. He has a good prey drive, and will chase, but won't pick up a duck lol......my chocolate would pick up anything......and I mean anything, sometimes things I did't want him to touch! lol. I've only had this guy for a week, so we're still working on his manners, boundary's and getting to know each other, but he is a lot easier to handle than the chocolate I had.



S.

[Sharon]

Was he a rescue? He's sure happy to be there.

[Sinker]

Yep, you could call it a rescue. A friend of a friend had him, and couldn't handle him with two young children in the house. He's kinda hyper, but getting better every day with us. Between my son and I, we keep him busy....that's all he needed I think. He is a very happy little fella.

S.

[yellow dog]

Nice size between 50lb to 60lb with less joint issues later in life because of it. He's a beauty !

[TurkeyRookie]

Great lookin pup sinker! probably right, just wasn't getting the energy burned off he needed to.