Hold on Tight...

...becuase I am about to tell show you way more than you ever wanted to know about labs and retriever training! I am hoping that you will love the pics so much that you will pay no mind to the content...

I would also like to preface this retriever training session by saying that all of these pics are un-touched, un-edited, raw images from our adventures. You can either congratulate me or beg for edits next time :)

 P.S. this is more about the pics than the "training" those parts, which contain some truth, are just to set the stage for my pictures:)

Retriever Training Part One

It is such a shame when you stumble upon a gorgeous setting for a picture and you have no people to photograph!

When working with your retriever, you should first find a picturesque locale. This location will help the dog practice swimming in deep, but still, water. Also, the dog will be able to practice jumping from a dock.

A properly trained retriever will swim to the bumper with ease.

He will grip the bumper in his mouth and proudly return to his Man {or Woman it just all depends}.

You should often try and include some "cover" for the dog to work through. You never know what things your dog will face when you are in your favorite hunting hole!

Obedience is one of the finer qualities of Labradors. It must be practiced every day.

Never, ever forget to stop and observed God's wondrous creation.

You and your retriever should be as one.

Retriever Training Part Two

I cannot stress the importance of a training in a beautiful location. You should always look to your left...

and then to your right to ensure that the spot is indeed appropriate!

"Hmmm..."

"Yes, I think this spot will do." But...

"...I better test out the water before Bill!"

Have I mentioned...

That Labs are...

the quintessential...

companions. Especially,

 for rambunctious children...

such

as

these. Anyway, I digress...

As mentioned in Part One, obedience is the key. If you do not think this is a well trained dog, just look at the pictures above. His kids were splashing and playing, but he was obeying his Man's command to SIT and STAY. That was hard for even me to obey!

Properly trained retrievers will remain at SIT when their bird bumper is shot thrown {even when their Man is barefooted.}

A properly placed bird bumper will ensure that the dog must...

run through shallow, but moving water...

exit the water on land, swim in deep and moving water...

and make the retrieve.

A retrieve is not really complete, however, unless...

The bird bumper makes it back to the Man!

And of course praise is always necessary.

So, there

you

have it.

A good retriever...

is always more than happy...

to, well...retrieve!

I also loved these shots of the native "wildlife" at this training location!