Hunting aside, first and foremost i want an obedient dog for the home, and for the family. If he cant mind me and stay calm and attentive in my home then ill have a big problem in the blind or boat. I expected him to be hyper but at 8 months he has no attention span and he has started ignoring us. he was really doing well when he was 4-6 months old following simple commands from us. now he hardly listens to me. started getting into the trash and being very destructive.

Were trying to give him more opportunity to gain trust with us and be inside. Then he messes it all up by tearing up the house, or playing to rough with the kiddos. he just cant sit and laydowm for one sec. unless you hover over him.

Without a high desire to retrieve you can't put rules on how he retrieves and expect him to have any desire to retrieve. Sorry to say it but in my experience this is a proven fact.

I am no expert but I dont think I would leave an 8 month old lab alone with a 5 foot round ball bearing much less inside my house If I recall my two other pups... they will go through a stage where they "test" you around this time, and Opportunity is the last thing they need!

you sound frustrated... are you or the wife beating the dog when you get home and find the "surprise"? as far as playing rough with the kids... I do not tollerate that and all of our dogs (3) understand that they have two choices take the harassment from the kids (I refer to this as paying the rent) or get away from the kids, I also let the kids know that you cant rough house with the pup and then be mad when his little needle teeth draw blood. I always get a chuckle when one of my girls say look what dude did to me...

sounds like you got a high strung dog

also how much excercise is the dog getting?

is he getting walked everyday?

or is the backyard/house his entire world?

depends on whos home, what were doing, etc to as what exercise he gets. but not enough.


what would be the suggestion of getting him another lab companion? i have heard they do better with a friend. and also helps them wear each other out etc?? whats yalls take on that helping him mellow a bit?

I love the reference to the big guy above, too funny, but true.

Be careful of Angie at Tioga Retrievers. Check some of her posts on here and draw your own conclusion. Does not come across as very professional or respectful. JMHO and good luck on your training. Have you given any thought to training the pup yourself? The bond you will get is irreplaceable and makes for a great hunting partner. You both will learn together. Again, Good luck and all the best

HEY GUTIT - I HAVE MET ANGIE AT TESTS, WATCHED HER WORK DOGS AND SHE IS VERY PROFESSIONAL AND WELL RESPECTED.

you can't expect an 8mo old PUPPY to be anything but that...a puppy. Make sure that the pup is getting outside plenty. An 8mo old pup is like a 14 year old kid. They are getting to the age where they know better, but want to see just how far they can take everything.

To each his own. Her posts on here are in black and white for all to view and form their own opinion and I stated mine as you have. Take you computer off caps when you reply to me or I will do it for you. READ MY SIG.

Have you had a lab trained by Angie? I have. She is a top notch retriever trainer. All the pro trainers are opinionated including Angie. That's just part of the business.

Scott not all of them are that way there are plenty of them on here that just LOL at her. She might be the best but she talks so much crap about other people, I wouldnt take my wifes yorkie to her for potty training. JMO

Ps nothing wrong with a choco lab!!!!

No, and never would. I know a few pro trainers and they are not "all" like that. Very professional in their work and their behavior. It is a business and a love for dogs to them. Business needs referrals and good things said about them. One negative will cost them. The original poster asked for opinions, he has mine, now he has yours.

Call a local trainer and ask about day classes. They are hands on ,with help from a pro, and it is something you and your wife can be a part of, usually inexpensive, and no contract or monthly payment. If not, i'm sure there is someone that knows of a video you can buy to at least gain control of the pup. It sounds like she has you guys trained and you need to take her job, as boss.

So Guitit and Jasb,,, Who are you and what do you know about dog training other then being "so much cooler on the internet"...

It's pretty easy to point fingers and give opinions on others when no one knows who you are or what you know...

Isn't the internet amazing... So many big shots!!

I on the other hand post with my real name, have my web-site in my signature line and the phone number to my kennel is 940-440-0018.

Maybe you fella's have a hard time with the way I post because I'm not conventional and I'm a women. Plus let's not forget I'm a yankee. A blond, tall yankee... OOOOh ouch, in a man's profession in Texas.... Blasphemy...

But hey,,, if you're good you're good...

Plus,, the big huge Plus,,, is when I post,,, the viewers to this little gun dog forum jump considerably.

Is that a bad thing???

I love you guys!!!

Angie

Oh,,, hate to disappoint you Gutit man... My business is doing great,,,

I'm not going to please all my clients. That's business. But your negative opinion of me on this board has not put one dent into my business.

Sorry,,,,

Angie

"Plus,, the big huge Plus,,, is when I post,,, the viewers to this little gun dog forum jump considerably"

Rubber necking......Folks can smell a good wreck about to happen.

[quote=Angie B]So Guitit and Jasb,,, Who are you and what do you know about dog training other then being "so much cooler on the internet"...

It's pretty easy to point fingers and give opinions on others when no one knows who you are or what you know...

Isn't the internet amazing... So many big shots!!

I on the other hand post with my real name, have my web-site in my signature line and the phone number to my kennel is 940-440-0018.

Maybe you fella's have a hard time with the way I post because I'm not conventional and I'm a women. Plus let's not forget I'm a yankee. A blond, tall yankee... OOOOh ouch, in a man's profession in Texas.... Blasphemy...

But hey,,, if you're good you're good...

Plus,, the big huge Plus,,, is when I post,,, the viewers to this little gun dog forum jump considerably.

Is that a bad thing???

I love you guys!!!

Angie [/quote
Original poster asked for opinions on trainers on a public forum. He received many, including mine. Some good, some bad.Your response above supports my opinion of your lack of professionalism and sarcasm. I too own a business and understand the need for referrals and positive feedback from everyone, at the same time never forgetting that every person I come into contact with may be a future cutomer.If you choose to conduct yourself and your business differently it is your choice. My opinion will stay the same to all who ask. Good Luck and Happy Holidays. To the original poster, sorry for the hijack and this will be my last response on this subject. Good luck on your trainer search.

I totally agree!! So who made what train wreck and why??

Not me,,, that's for sure....

So Guitt, what is your name? Seriously... Call me out all you want, but be man/woman enough to state your real name and what you have accomplished in regards to working field dogs...

I personally don't care what you think of me in regards to how I post on the internet or on any forum...

But "cowboy up" if your going to call someone out....

Where's that phoney bologna Jasb???

Angie

The Angie Express..keeps on chugging

Oh I'm no dog trainer and further more I dont know crap about it. I was over here looking to get a dog and was reading post. Well, as I read along I looked at everyones web page and looked at what the trainers on here said and how they spoke to people. I know this has nothing to do with how that person trains a dog but it speaks to me on how that person is as a person. All Ive seen you do Angie is get in fights and bash folks. That tells me that you are not a person that I would like to deal with as a customer. As far as the "who are you" question.....I'm Jason Baird a guy looking to spend a few thousand dollars on a Chocolate lab and get the dog started. And I did find someone on here that is going to help me out. Thanks

Oh yeah if you think you need my phone number for some odd reason just ask.....now I'll say no but feel free to ask, the last thing I want is someone calling me to ball me out about dogs.

oh boy, here we go again.

Angie and GUTIT take it offline

To the original poster. If your still looking for a trainer call Bryan at Water Land Kennels. He has a nice clean facility and is a great trainer. Tell him Wayne reffered you. I think a great asset of Bryans is after the training care and upkeep. I used to join a group out there that met all the time. We used Bryan's training grounds and they loved seeing us come out. Bryan and I have developed a friendship over the years. Bryan taught me a lot about a different perspective when it comes to training dogs.

I think Angie is hot!!! She is a good trainer and fun to be around. There will always be those who who thrive on the attempt of bringing others down.