Puppy Do's and Don'ts 

What do you do when you first get a puppy?  Do you start right in on obedience?  Are you supposed to start retrieving?

We will answer these questions in this section of our site.

Five Do's (7 weeks to 20 weeks of age)

1) Socialization- Interact with family and friends and public as much as possible.  Just beware of public parks as 

puppy's are susceptible to Parvo until all rounds of shots are completed.

2) Walks and Adventures- Go for walks in pastures, on trails, around ponds, shallow streams with low sloping banks.  

Freshly plowed fields are wonderful!

3) Teaching the Name- Constant repetitive use of the pups name.  Followed up with petting and praise, treats, and a 

play toy (preferably a puppy bumper) when the puppy comes to you.

4) Introduction to Retrieving- Us a puppy bumper or a rolled up sock; get in a hallway with the doors closed so that the

only way back is directly to you.  If you don't have a hallway you can build a 5x16 three sided pen.  Only do this 4 to 5 

times in each session to keep the puppy wanting more.  You never want to throw so many to burn the puppy out.

5) Leash and  Restraint Factor- One out of four walks should be on leash.  Don't drag the puppy and don't jerk him

back into position.  You want a slight resistance when the pup forges ahead and a lot of coaxing when the pup lags 

behind.  Changing  your direction works well when the pup lags behind.  The best way I know to get the pup used to 

the leash is to acquire a leash with a snap on one end and a wrist loop on the other.  Tell the family what you are 

about to do so they know what is coming.  After the pup has been taken out to do their business (both 1 and 2) take 

him inside and put the loop end of the leash on a doorknob and snap the other end on the pup.  Do this in a spot that 

he can see you and go about your regular chores.  This is when you have to show tough love, because he will cry, 

whimper, squall, bark, and raise quite a ruckus to get your attention and unleash him.  DO NOT GIVE IN!  Just be sure 

to watch the puppy so he doesn't get tangled and hurt himself.  You are teaching him the restraint factor indirectly as 

well as showing the pup that he is not always the center of attention.  This is very valuable for further training.

Five Don'ts (7 weeks to 20 weeks of age)

1) Don't rush the pup to be a water dog- This is the biggest mistake I have seen with retriever owners.  No retrieves in 

swimming water until the pup has swum on his own quite a few times.  NEVER NEVER EVER THROW A PUP IN!

Take the pup on walks around the water, preferably very shallow water (2-4 inches deep) and you go through it.  Let the

pup investigate on his own and he will eventually follow you.  You can use an older dog that loves the water to entice 

your pup in.  Lots of exposure to water without force is what is needed here.

2) Don't put restrictions on a pup while retrieving-  An example of this is forcing to sit and wait.  There is plenty of time

for that later.  Now you just want your pup to burn out there full steam and get the bumper.  Build a genuine desire for

retrieving first then we will teach him how to do it correctly.

3) Don't throw too many retrieves or long retrieves- I have seen many first time owners throw 20 to 50 retrieves for a 

young pup, and this is way to many.  A few pups will maintain enthusiasm through this, but most will fade drastically

on their desire.  Allow the pup to have fin with 4-5 retrieves and leave him wanting more.  Keep the retrieves in the 

open and no more that 15-20 feet.  We want the puppy to have success, not distance.

4) No heavy cover or rugged terrain- This is the quickest way I know for taking the confidence away from a puppy.  

Even a pup that shows wonderful marking skills will start to lose interest if the task is too hard.  Once again, there is 

plenty of time for that later in more formal training.  Keep the marks low and flat with the throw angling back toward

the puppy in as little of cover as possible.  Build that confidence!

5) No training contest- Don't get caught up in seeing who's dog can swim the longest distance or who's can find the 

mark in the toughest cover, or who's will pick up a bird and who's won't.  I've seen very little good come from this

type of contest between owners.  Teach your dog at his own pace to the best of your knowledge and you will be more

likely to have success (the ultimate goal).