Training???

[Lance Ritchie]

A friend of mine wanted to know if I wanted a 1 year old Yellow Lab. I was wondering if a 1 year old dog is to old to start training. Thanks for the info.
Lance

[Allan Stanley]

I think it depends on the dog. The one I have now I got at 10-11 months. The only command he knew when I got him was "kennel". He was like a blank chalkboard waiting for me to write the instructions. A VERY good field trialer owned him and said he wasn't FAST enough...ha...I named him Bullet.

The good news is that the guy never messed with him...so he only needed to learn what I wanted him to, and not un-learn and then re-learn.

Take a look at the dog, if he seems intelligent, gentle, and crazy about retrieving he might work out. If he's sullen, meek, dis-interested, I'd pass.

Plenty of dogs out there, not a lot of time to fool with ones who won't do the job.

Allan

[David Carrington]

Hey Lance, if there are not any medical reasons your friend is wanting to give the dog away, then by all means a 1 year old is definitely not too old. Start with the pup just as if it was a blank piece of paper and train them the way you would if it was 7 months old. My first Lab was 14 months before any formal training began, mainly because she embarrassed me at a retriever club event. She went on to become a Master Hunter and Qualified All-Age. I have worked with folks that started when their dogs were 3 years old plus. The old saying that,”You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”,is BAD wrong.

[Brett Neffendorf]

Lance, Find out about the dogs hips. Labs have a tendency to sometimes have hip problems. Dont get the dog until it is fully healthy and checked out! Hope this works out so we can have Bo and this yellow lab.

Lata big lance

[Lance Ritchie]

Thanks for all the info. I will check it out before I make my decision.Thanks
Lance

[WESTCOAST WATERFOWLER]

I have been around dogs my whole life,and I will tell you from past experiences that you have potential in your hands.If you choose to take the time and work with the dog to see what his natural abilities are,the only set back of starting an older dog is "bad habits" if he is birdy give him a shot, with time and a little patience he might turn out. It's not to late for the dog to be one of your key tool's in the field. Good luck, and if you have any question's about working your dog feel free to e-mail or call...(209)765-6807

DUSTIN CURCI
AVERY PRO-STAFF