He's trained but I am not...

[TwoLabs]

Last year we adopted a 9 year old trained duck dog. I have no idea what commands he may have been trained with. He does love to retreive sticks and balls but that's all I've tried. I have NO idea about duck hunting or training involved in that.

Last night someone was setting off fireworks. At the first bang, he jumped up, looking eagerly around. It got me to thinking that he must have enjoyed his "job". Is there anything other than throwing a ball, that I could do with him?

[georgie]

Is there a lab club around you that you could join. They usually have training days & usually they have bumpers & ducks for your lab to retrieve. He sounds like a nice lab. Enjoy.

[bullocklabradors]

Like georgie suggested join a local retriever club, hook up with some other people to train and then run in some "picnic" Hunt Tests if your club has them. You may decide to run in licensed HT's they are a lot of fun and if your dog is a "trained duck dog" it will really enjoy the work.

Take Care,

Travis R. Bullock

[Trickster]

How do you know he has been trained as a duck dog? is he a rescue?

I agree with joining a hunt club/retriever group.

[TwoLabs]

He was surrendered at the local shelter with his papers and a detailed form they make the surrendering owners fill out. That said he was trained for duck hunting. Mind you they also said he was afraid of vacuums, but he loves being vacuumed! ;D

I should check into hunt clubs!

[Canyon Labradors]

Wow, you got pretty lucky finding a trained dog. If inclined, you could probably modify his training to do obedience and rally as well.

[gundog]

Not to sound crazy but....take him hunting.