Home Forums Birds & Dogs Hunting Dogs Lab Puppy Training Video Recommendation

Likely getting a lab pup in about 6 weeks and I'm looking for recommendations for a video on picking a pup and training a lab pup.

What do you recommend?

Nobody has a fool proof method for picking "the best pup" from a litter. If you did your homework on the litter , they can all be a good gun dog.
Flip them over, check the plumbing and pick one.
For me, finding a trainer local was the best choice. I go once a week and work on the lessons at home.

Watch the pups play for a while if you can. You can spot the most dominant ones and the meekest ones. I once picked the most dominant and got a viscous Golden Retriever that wanted to bite anyone except family. Possibly I should have picked one in the middle.

Check out Stonnie Dennis on youtube. Maybe not the best but I like his basics.

Ask your breeder if they do Volhards P.A.T. This aptitude test gives a pretty realistic window on what the dog will grow up to be. In most given litters there is a spectrum from reserved pet dog to bold brash gun dog, and everything in between.Responsible breeders will test the pups more than once.

Be sure that you know what you are looking for in a dog, and know how to live with your choice. Every shelter has labs that are there because they are "hyper"....high energy, hi-speed gun dogs. Trust me, its where we get most of our drug dogs....

The videos by Ken Roebuck are great if you can find them.

Jackie Merten's is good for basic beginnings training. I would recommend Mike Lardy's Vol I book for training after that. And search for for training group in your area via the AKC hunt test clubs. RTF forum is good resource.

It's tough picking a pup for specific traits at a very young age. Research the litter and pay close attention to the blood lines. Once you've done that separate the pups into two groups based upon their sex. Then close your eyes and reach into the appropriate group and pick your pup.

I bought my first pup at half price because she was one of two shy pups in the litter that were getting picked upon by the other bolder pups. She turned out to be the most dominate dog I've ever owned.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

I have to recommend Mike Lardy's total retriever training.

I cheated. I bought a 1 1/2 year old started dog.

See my thread, about my dog.
He has turned out to be the best dog I've ever owned. We are best friends. Look at my pics. Perfect house dog, and an awesome retrieving machine.
No idea how to pick one, but wound up with the perfect companion for me.

I tried to do "treatless" training and in retrospect felt that was a mistake with a Lab. They are eating machines.