Soggyacres Labrador Retrievers

Our seminar at Pheasant Fest will be held in the following rooms and at the listed times:

Friday, February 6th   Seminar Room 8, Sponsered by Cabela’s, at 700 pm

Saturday, February 7th   Seminar Room 8, Sponsered by Cabela’s, at 400 pm

Sunday, February 8th  Seminar Room 5, Sponsered by Benelli, at 200 pm

Click on the link below for more info about the convention.

 http://www.pheasantfest.org/

Hope to see you there! 

Here is the outline for the topics of discsussion

Picking a Pup and the First Six Months

Overview

The purpose of the seminar will be to inform potential and current puppy owners how to first find a breeder, how to pick your pup, what to work on with you pup from take home to formal training.

1. Finding a Breeder

·        Online Search

·        Clubs

·        Word of Mouth

·        Newspaper

·        Breed and Hunting Magazines

      2.    Interviewing potential Breeders 

·        Speak to potential breeders at length and discuss their breeding philosophy and programs.

·        Visit the kennel to ensure that they have a clean and professional facility. 

·        Ask for references from either pro trainers or from past clients.  If possible meet several of the dogs at the kennel.

·        Ask for and review a copy of the health guarantee

-Make sure that the puppy comes with a quality health guarantee. 

-Finding a quality breeder you are comfortable with is far more important than timing.  Take your time and get a good pup with great genetics.  Make sure parents have clearances on hips and eyes.  Also realize that the purchase price of your pup will be one of the cheapest parts of the equation.  Don’t purchase a pup with price alone being the determining factor.

Question Period

1. Picking Your Future Champion

·        If possible visit the litter on several occasions.  Pups are more active times from one time to another. 

·        Be sure to ask your breeder which pup would best fit your desired characteristics. 

·        The breeder is around the pup for seven weeks and should have a good idea about which pups are more dominant, social, adventurous etc.

·        If frozen birds or bird wings are not made available acquire some prior to visits and pick up. 

·        Take notes on which pups exhibit the traits you desire. 

-Prior to take home a new pup owner should have the basics: Crate, lead, collar, bowls for food and water, a quality food, puppy bumpers, 30’ check cord, whistle, lanyard, bird scent and bands, and a good book to reference.

Short question period

      3.   Training from take home to the beginning of formal training.

·        Now is one of the most critical periods in your pup’s life. 

·        House breaking is the first major hurdle. 

- Crate training as an aide

·        Teach the sit, here and heal commands. 

·        Start developing retrieving desire with “puppy retrieves”.  These retrieves should be short and emphasize making them fun.  Encourage delivery to hand.    Five to Ten retrieves per day is plenty for your pup. 

·        Work with your pup on a lead. 

·        Take your pup to different locations when working with them. 

·        If possible put them in a boat or blind.  Now is the time to begin to introduce the pup to environments they will be exposed to in hunting or competition.  If done now it won’t seem foreign once your formal training begins.

·        Now is also a good time to introduce the pup to the concept of gunfire. 

Equipment Needed For this Period

Short Question Period