I need some dog advice please.

[collin-masters]

Im in a bit of a pickle. I am getting a female yellow lab that is 6 weeks old yesterday. I was going to get her next week and 49 days like waterdog said. But the thing is that if i get her then im going to have to board her over spring break and i dont know if boarding will be to much stress for a new puppy that is going to be a hunting dog. I have some friends who train labs and i was thinging i might be able leave her with them. If i dont do that she would be 12 weeks by the day i got her. What should i do?

[Watch em fall]

As long as you know your dog is getting human contact she will be fine. If the breeder is a good breeder and takes the dog out to play each day she will be fine. If the breeder just leaves her in a pin all say then there would be no diffrance than bording her. The most important thing is that she will get human contact. It would not make a big diffrance when you pick her up just make sure she is not being left in a pin all day. Also what program are you going to be using to train your dog. I reccomend smartworks. Water dog is great also but dont be worried if your dog is not in "pace" with the weeks he has set up.

[collin-masters]

The breeder might not handle them every day except when feeding and watering them but i know he does ever other day. Im not really familiar with the "smartworks" program. Im new to training because my last dog got lukemia pretty young and it made things tough. How can i find out more about the program your talking about?

[Watch em fall]

Smart works is a bookset and DVD set. Made by Evan Grahm. You should be able to find them on amazon or book stores. What are you planning to do with your dogs? Hunt tests or just a hunting dog? The thing with doing field trials or hunt test it gets you involved in your dog 12 months insteed of just during hunting season. You will find yourself spending more time with your dog and afterall that makes your dog that much better.

[collin-masters]

I was thinking about having her ready for late goose season next year which is 12 months away for me. Ill have to do some research on those. Thanks alot for the advice.

[Watch em fall]

Alright, if you are interested in anything like that or need any help let me know.

[collin-masters]

Will do.

[littletom]

Late goose season :roll: My chessie was a march dog, I was hunting her opening weekend in KY that year (end of Nov) get your dog, make friends board her for a week somewhere they will get her out. You will be fine. Get your dog now :wink:

[collin-masters]

Yeah we werew thinking about getting her this week. Ill have her hunting depending upon how she does in training. I dont want to rush her.

[SuSpeedballpro]

Yo, I'm having the same problem with my yellow lab, I am supposed to pick him up on saturday, but I got spring break! Argh, I decided to leave him with the mother for the week while I am gone and get him when I get back. Let me know how it goes!

[ThePreacher]

I would get her now. It is time to bond with her. Either way I look at it, you will have to board her. Whether it is with the breeder or with someone else.

Or else you could skip spring break....

[takeem21]

Im picking my black lab up this sunday. Im got a camping trip in july planned for about a week, and debating on wheter I should take her with me or not leave her at the house.

[collin-masters]

how old is the dog when your gettinf her?

[rooster]

Personally I wouldn't worry about getting her on an exact day. As far as training I would check out the books and videos by Mike Lardy. Expensive but without a doubt the best money can buy and beliieve Me i have had just about every book and video produced! The main thing when training a dog is the work you put into it. I have seen awesome dogs in the field but the thing they all have in common is that they were well trained. You have to put the work into a dog. Also check out retrievertraining.com for helpfull info.