Expecations for a 1 year old lab bitch?

[Sheprador1973]

Hi all, hope you are safe and well?

So just under a year ago my family were lucky enough to receive a new (first) black lab puppy. Feel so fortunate as we'd put a deposit down pre-covid and the breeder was able to deliver her at the beginning of lockdown #1.

Anyway, shes been an absolute angel since. Yes, we still get the odd puddle on the floor in the morning, but shes brilliant with kids and other dogs and I unashamedly love her to bits. Her manners are great and she loves the outdoors, especially diving into water and chasing balls/sticks.

So as she goes into her second year I'm trying to assess what I can do for/with her next. Just to be clear shes not being raised as a 'dedicated gun dog' as I simply dont get out enough, shes a family pet (but very attached to me). But I would like her to be able to track shot deer when she does accompany in the future if possible.

Shes been out with me and the 22lr a few times and doesn't seem bothered by the shot. I'm confident she could track well as shes a very good nose. Trouble is, for now she mainly wants to play when we're out.

Any tips on where I might go next and how might I go about getting her waiting with me for extended periods instead of chasing off ahead? Shes already settling down well aged 1 so maybe it will come with age.

Any tips much appreciated.

 

[Glade]

Have a look on YouTube under using a place board. Ian Openshaw uses one for labs and spaniels. I use the technic with my dogs also and it is easy to train in the smallest of gardens.
Rgds
G

 

[teyhan1]

Use a totally different collar when you’re out hunting or training. You getting that collar and putting it on will be her trigger.
Don’t forget that she’s still a goofy teenager at 1yr old.

 

[Heym SR20]

Start tracking training with her. Lay some blood trails with her favourite toy/biscuit/deer skin at the end. She will soon get the idea.

And start taking her out hunting with you. If she wil sit and walk to heal and you have good control you will be fine. Don’t expect too much as it will take time to learn to work together on successful stalks. There will be disasters and you will spook deer, but you just have to accept that.

But in time you will end with a good stalking companion that will show you deer long before you see them and that sinking feeling of a buck running into long cover after the shot will now be a two minute track rather than an hour long hell.

 

[jimmy milnes]

Have a look on YouTube under using a place board. Ian Openshaw uses one for labs and spaniels. I use the technic with my dogs also and it is easy to train in the smallest of gardens.
Rgds
G

Place board training can work quite well for some training aspects.
However it's not a new thing really although the likes of some trainers would have you think so, lions elephant sealions and all mannor of animals have been trained on them for years..

 

[Sheprador1973]

Many thanks...some great tips to get me started, again

 

[Sheprador1973]

Will have a look at the place board thing when I get in tonight