New puppy: need tips and advice

[Peacock]

throw him in the backyard. There's a lot less to worry about that way.

x1000

[18ncs]

Either Gun Dog or Water Dog. Richard Wolters

[Tubby]

Long read!

All this with me assuming you're making a duck dog out of him. As mentioned above either Gun Dog or Water Dog, books and video. As far as crate training, if this is going to be YOUR dog, your buddy, your pet and your duck huntin buddy, get some of your old t-shirts that you were going to throw out anyway. Wear one for a solid day, that night, put that t-shirt in the kennel with him. The dog will have your scent with him in the crate and know that is a "good" scent associated with things that are good. Keep the shirt in there for a few weeks, that is if he doesn't have an accident in there. After a couple of weeks get another old t-shirt and do it again. after 4 to 6 weeks he'll be "brain-locked" on your scent. The more toys the better and even at this age DO NOT PLAY TUG OF WAR WITH HIM!!! It will get in their mind that's what they're supposed to do with something that's in his mouth and your hand at the same time. NEVER do it. Later on when training to retrieve and he won't give it up, DON'T pull on the bumper, roll it in his mouth as if you were rolling it towards the back of his throat, he'll open up. Right now it's play time, housebreaking time. 6 months old is prime obedience and training time. Start out simple. Work on "sit" for a day. 2 or 3 times then quit. wait 30 minutes or so, go thru it again 2, 3 or 4 times. When he does it, you CAN NOT praise him enough! Do it so much that it's almost embarassing! On ANY commands whether it's sit, stay, lay down, here, kennel, back, over... use SIMPLE one syllable (if possible) commands. It's not wise to have a dog named Beau (or Bo) it sounds too much like NO! Remember, a dog can detect ANY aggression just by your tone of voice. If the dog is in need of dicipline, THE PUNISHMENT MUST MATCH THE CRIME! The first thing is you in a very stern voice NO!!! If you're working on sit and he's sitting there for a few seconds, keep your eye on him and if he gets up, don't tell him NO and try to correct him by making him try to sit again, it ain't gonna happen. As soon as he stans up, you say "here"! He'll think that's what you wanted him to do anyway. (almost like reverse psychology). Then after a while you can work on an extended "sit" time and correct him if he tries to get up with a stern "NO". By this time he's got good and bad figured out and he won't like to make you displeased. His #1 mission in life in his mind is to please his master. Easy tips on retreiving, if you throw a bumper and the dog won't come all the way back to you, squat down and clap your hands or walk backwards away from him while continiously saying "here". His natural instinct is to follow. Once he's 6 months old, he'll be old enough for a swat or 12. Walking at heel, (assuming you want him on your left side) walk with a 6 or 8' lead, have the leash behind you, with minimal slack on his collar. If he walks too far ahead of you, swing the leash that's in your right hand like a vertical fan in front of his nose. Don't let it hit him, he'll slow his pace very fast and during this entire time you're saying "heel, heel, heel". Don't jump into everything at once. Working on "here", get a 50' lead, hook him to it and leave the other end loose at your feet and let him wander out away from you. Pick up the end of the lead and take up the slack and yell "HERE" while pulling on the lead, he'll break off in a run towards you. Work on one thing, like sit until he gets it down then start on "here". once he's got the hang of that, check him and make sure he remembers "sit". Don't make a marathon of your training exercises. 10-15 minutes twice a day is plenty starting out. And the best training advice is to watch his tail. High tail = eager to learn and happy, Low tail = uninterested, tired. End every training session on a positive note and NEVER use his crate or kennel as "jail". You want him to associate his kennel or crate as a "happy place". Where he WANTS to be and not because he's scared. Good luck, keep hom on heartworm preventative, hide your shoes and give that pup lots of love!

[Longarm175]

I've spent most of my adult life making a living out of dog handling/training. The ONLY consistent advice is "Just spend time with the dog". He'll figure out what it is you want. take him with you everywhere you can. just spend time with him & you won't be disappointed.

[Bonesplitter]

For a duck dog it hard to beat "Water Dog" by Richard Wolters. I have trained several fine retrievers with his book.

[InfantryCPT]

Nice looking pup, just give him to me Problem solved