Alright guys. There are a lot of you on here with a LOT more experience than me. Here's my situation and question.
I have a seven month old female lab and I have been doing obedience training with her primarily with a few retrieves here and there, dry land and water. I feel like I'm at a decision point on where to go with her training. I have been working with a trianer once a week for obedience because I do want a very obedient dog. My dog is doing really well. Sit, down, stay, place, heel, come and all of that with distractions such as other people and dogs. Will also sit and come with a whistle. Of course she has her moments but they are getting fewer and farther between. The lady I am training with is a phenomenal trainer for obedience. Her primary focus is schutzund. I know she could help me do some things with retriever training but it isn't her specialty.
Now for the questions... I am really on the fence with retriever training. Dog too old, just right or what? Who to take her to, and does she have enough obedience to start retriever training? I can say one thing I don't want is a e-collar trained dog to the point where they only behave or mind when they have the collar on. Are there trainers that can provide that type training? I don't mind the use of an e-collar. I think they are great for corrections once a dog knows a command but just won't perform. But I don't want the dog to have to need the collar on all the time as a reminder.
Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated. I am near Augusta Ga so if you have any recommendations for trainers let me know. I'm not opposed to her going anywhere in Georgia but I'd like it to be relatively close with in driving distance of 3-4 hours maybe. I have heard of a few names but I'll see what you all recommend. I will never run her in any trials, I just want a reliable gun dog.
Sorry for the long post.
I have a seven month old female lab and I have been doing obedience training with her primarily with a few retrieves here and there, dry land and water. I feel like I'm at a decision point on where to go with her training. I have been working with a trianer once a week for obedience because I do want a very obedient dog. My dog is doing really well. Sit, down, stay, place, heel, come and all of that with distractions such as other people and dogs. Will also sit and come with a whistle. Of course she has her moments but they are getting fewer and farther between. The lady I am training with is a phenomenal trainer for obedience. Her primary focus is schutzund. I know she could help me do some things with retriever training but it isn't her specialty.
Now for the questions... I am really on the fence with retriever training. Dog too old, just right or what? Who to take her to, and does she have enough obedience to start retriever training? I can say one thing I don't want is a e-collar trained dog to the point where they only behave or mind when they have the collar on. Are there trainers that can provide that type training? I don't mind the use of an e-collar. I think they are great for corrections once a dog knows a command but just won't perform. But I don't want the dog to have to need the collar on all the time as a reminder.
Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated. I am near Augusta Ga so if you have any recommendations for trainers let me know. I'm not opposed to her going anywhere in Georgia but I'd like it to be relatively close with in driving distance of 3-4 hours maybe. I have heard of a few names but I'll see what you all recommend. I will never run her in any trials, I just want a reliable gun dog.
Sorry for the long post.