GilesH
member
Reged: 06/04/2008
Posts: 3
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I have a small 7 year old chocolate lab bitch, of very good working stock. She was bought by my wife as a family pet. I have never owned or trained a gun dog and am looking for some advice.
The lab has had a couple of litters, is very fit, spayed and fairly steady.
I've returned to rough shooting - mixed uplands, wildfowling and woodland on the doorstep - after a 20 year gap. I am lucky enough to get out 2-3 times a week.
We also have a 20 month Weimeraner, who dotes on the lab. She takes her lead from the lab, who had a phantom pregnancy and breast fed her when she arrived.
Both dogs have thrived on being out. They have shown good habits - scanning the sky and often alerting me to incoming birds I'd otherwise miss - and bring to hand. The lab flushes very well in thick cover. They are reasonably well trained by sub-urban dog standards.
I have no interest in attending formal shoots and risking exposing fellow shots to a green older dog. I would love to train them and can realistically make around 4 hours a week available to do so.
Is it worth trying to train them both?
Should I accept it's too late to train the lab (old dogs/new tricks), and bring in a new lab in a year or so instead?
If I decide not train the lab, I'm assuming it would be better to take the weimeraner out on her own (I can't bear the thought of the looks I'll get from the lab if I do !)
Any feedback welcome.
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CptCarling
member
Reged: 21/10/2007
Posts: 102
Loc: Isle of Wight
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Training the Wimmei would be a good idea, but be warned, they take a hell of a lot of work and you need to go to classes, dont try it alone with them, it wont work! I can put you in touch with some very good trainers who do HPR's
As for the lab, at 7 years you may want to think about another - with 18 months to train a new one, the time scale is about right. But there is no reason why your older lab cant continue to go out with you, maybe not all the time, but dont just stop taking her. As you have said, she acts as a mentor to the HPR and will do the same with whatever dog you get next.
As for taking a green dog on a formal shoot....I have seen "world class trained" dogs run riot whilst part/self trained ones behave!
At the end of the day, you have 2 dogs that are poles apart...Labs are easy to train, Weimeraners are a challange, but the results can be great. For rough shooting, the HPR is ideal although they dont like thick cover that much. We run a Lab (mine)a Weimmie (other halfs) and a Cocker (other half's - not that you'd know!)
Personally, I'm not 100% keen on HPR's, but its each to their own
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GilesH
member
Reged: 06/04/2008
Posts: 3
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Many thanks for the advice. Will start working on other half re pup !
I share your sentiments on HPRs - though in fairness to present dogs, they work well together on ground they know where they're in a routine.
I'd welcome the contact details re trainers - however, we're in East Lothian, so may be a bit out of the way.
Best,
Giles
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nfp20
member
Reged: 14/04/2008
Posts: 7
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Weimaraners can be trained on their own quite happily if you have the experience and knowledge to do so. They take a little longer to mature than labs and spaniels but make fabulous working dogs. I have one myself and worked two last year with success wouldn't have it any other way now. I can recommend a couple of trainers in your area but if you want to train yourself then I'd opt for looking on the GSP club website as they have lots of classes up and down the country.
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GilesH
member
Reged: 06/04/2008
Posts: 3
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Many thanks - could you ping me any recommendation for trainers?
Best,
Giles
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