Black Lab or Chocolate Lab?

Okay guys, back again.

I researched kennel training and it seems everyone has there different method, so I'm trying to figure out what I should do. Do I lock her in there? For how long? Should I wait until shes a little older?

These seem to be the only the things people do differently with crate training.

 

Thank God I didn't have to go through that. When we adopted Jasmine at 8 months old, she was already crate trained and mostly house trained. I think we've only had 3 accidents total in the house and they were within the first two months.

 

I used to do a bit of sporting clays on the Eastern Shore of MD from time to time, and one of the places we went to frequently (Pintail Point) breed, raise, train, and sell labs for hunting.

The guys that worked there told me numerous times that all labs make great pets (as long as the blood lines are good), but to NEVER buy a chocolate lab for hunting. He said "for whatever reason, they just don't get it". You can train them for hunting, but they are no where near as good as a black or yellow lab, so they don't even waste their time with teh chocolates.

Whenever they have chocolate labs in a litter, they were only sold for pets.

Personally I don't have any first hand experience with this, but I thought I would throw in my $.02 since I heard this directly from folks that were in the business of raising and training hunting labs.

 

I'm gonna have to get my broom* and call Shenanigans on that one! they are genetically all the same, its pretty much training, consistency, and diet, and the best trainer is an older lab (any color). I did mention earlier that I see more fat ones in the browns, but that is definitely unscientific.
(* not sure? watch more southpark)

 

What's your goal with the crate training? Noise?, Chewing?, Housebreaking?
I can give you a few tips, but labs and ex-wives are similar except I like my labs:

Are you still having problems with the housebreaking? crating should solve that pretty easily, and at about 4 months, you should be able to crate her up for up to about 4 hours, the idea is they don't dump where they sleep, a google search will help. (and at that age, they can sleep all night in the crate).

Mostly with pups, its a reflex, when they eat, they hold their breath for about 10-20 minutes, wait till the phone rings, then do it. (ok, kidding, they have a reaction to eating, waking, etc. that causes the mess) Time your feedings to that she can go outside about 10-20 minutes after eating, and you are well on your way to solving the house problem. I got my guy at 14 weeks, and he was totally housebroken in about 6 days.

If your question was based on another crating issue, like how to travel with them, then I missed the mark, sorry.

 

"..but just to hang out with the guys"
And that's the best damn lab out there.

 

So sorry about the loss of your buddy. Lost mine almost 2 months ago x2 on one of the worst days

It doesn't take very long to get attached to them.

Good idea!!! Wonder if that would also work with Annie.... She hates loud noises.

Cute pup and congratulations on the new addition

I crate trained to contain the destruction when I was out or sleeping. Both Ollie and Annie were crated at night and when I was out. Ollie was able to be let free when she was a year old. Annie on the other hand was a destructive little beast and didn't get her freedom until she was about 3.

Start the crate training NOW!!! It also helps if she has to spend time at the vet or travel.

I just put them in and shut the door. If she makes alot of fuss, ignore her and she will stop. DO NOT let her out while she is fussing, or she will fuss more. To make her more comfortable, feed her in there, play fetch and throw her toy in there and let her know that a kennel is a good place to be. She will soon start going in there on her own for naps or to just hang out.

You can leave her locked up for up to her age in months, plus one hour. If she's 3 months old, she should be able to stay in there for 4 hours without having an accident. At 4 months old, she should be able to "hold it" for 5 hours.

Good luck.


I'm looking for a chocolate lab - Ollie was a yellow lab/golden mix, Annie is a black lab mix, so have to have a chocolate next

 

I started crate training her immediately after it was recommended on this thread. In fact, I just got home from walking her and she went straight to her kennel and plopped on her bed I made for her in there. She's been doing great with the crate training and I can't really tell hows she's doing with potty training out side her kennel because I take her out all the time. But so far so good, in a few months get ready for a "How do I teach my dog how to retrieve?" thread lol

 

I'm doing this and it actually works pretty well. I'm thinking about seeing how the gun range will be in a few weeks

 

I hear ya..... But I was told this first hand by the people that breed, raise, train, and sell the dogs...... and they get serious money for the ones they sell.

 

Okay told you I'd be back. My pup is 4.5 months now and I'm starting to wonder when I should start to train her to retrieve with her mallard dummy and scented bumpers. I also have a friend who has a stock pile of freeze dried pheasant wings. How and when do I go about this part?

 

I'm getting my yellow pup in a week. Should I get a male for female. Any recommendations????

 

I got female because I didn't want to deal with a male (which I'd assume) would piss everywhere and be even more hyper than my female. I don't know too much though or if there would even be a difference for this is my first lab

 

I don't know, I heard the females are more calm. So are you coming down for the snow run?

 

snow run? lol

 

Start crate as soon as you get the pup, make it a fun place lots of toys and a soft bed. When they go in give em a treat each time they go in. I cant out run mine to there crate..