I'm looking for as much information on training a puppy (likely a lab) for hunting both upland and waterfowl birds.

I've never trained a dog for hunting and I want to do it right when I take the plunge.

I hunted with my friend and his yellow lab "Quack". It was fantastic working with a well trained and eager to please dog.

My best advice is to get the Wolters books Water Dog and game dog. These books take you step by step through the process. You can honestly get your pup hunting for you in 6 months. Truly the best system for training your pup. Start them young! And don't get discouraged.

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My advice is to go on the HRC web site and find a hunt test to go to in your area. Talk to a few pro's and watch some finished dogs run.
All the books and DVD's are great until you have a problem. They don't address any problems.
I ended up going with a pro. Best thing I ever did. You can't just drop your dog off and pick him up 10 months later. Get out with the pro on weekends and throw birds. Get involved.
Don't think you just want a meat dog. It's not fair to the dog, if the dog has any potential with a high hunt drive.

Jim and Phyliss Dobbs wrote a book in conjunction with tritronics. That's the best I have ever studied.

Dick Wolters was great if you didn't have any problems but way too general.

Thanks for the help so far. I was reading the reviews on Wolters (both good and bad). Do these Wolters books encourage beating or pain in training? If they do I'm not sure I want that. I want my dog to be my hunting buddy and not fear that if he slips up that I'm going to beat the hell out of him.

wolters does not condone beating the dog or using pain but he does go into the importance of discipline . His books highlight bonding with the pup and family life. Most of the modern training methods are based on Wolters system in one way or another. There is a reason for this, it works!
JTEX has a good point on Wolters not going into detail on solving some problems that may come up but commonsense will get you through those bumps in the road.
Brad May suggestion that you check out a hunt test is a great idea. Training my own dogs has brought a lot of joy to my life (and some frustration ). Everyone has a different opinion on how to train a pup but honestly I feel the Wolters method to be a great help. Check out his books at a library you will find them invaluable in getting your pup off to a great start.
P.S you only get out of your dog what you put in.

I too can recommend Wolter's books. You may also want to check out his book Home Dog for general training tips.

If you have a friend with a well trained retriever then by all means use his wisdom to your advantage. When training my dog I learned a lot from reading a few books, but most of what I picked up was from a friend who did an excellent job training his dogs.

He has offered any help he can but we live 2 hrs apart. We will likely buy puppies from the same litter this winter/spring. He seems to know who he wants to buy from and we will wait until they have a litter ready.

Wolters books have some good stuff for puppies. But remember that his books are over fifty years old. Most trainers today either use Mike Lardy or Evan Grahams methods. Both of these methods are based on Rex Carr's methods.
Most pros go with Mike Lardy, mainly because he's been there and done that with his dogs. I don't think Evan has had any champions, of course Evan has not had any Super Tankers, Lotties or Lean Mac's either. Although I follow Mike Lardy, Evans stuff is great also. Evans books are easier to understand for a beginner also. Evan also goes on a few gun dog sites and will answer any question you ask him.
You mentioned harsh treatment. There will be times where you have to be hard. There's no getting around that, not meaning to be hatefull, but some things you have to be hard on. Debolting and force fetch are as bad on you as on your dog. Thats why I sugested a pro. You can ruin a good dog with a collar if you don't know what your doing.

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Originally posted by brad may:. There will be times where you have to be hard. There's no getting around that, not meaning to be hatefull, but some things you have to be hard on. Debolting and force fetch are as bad on you as on your dog. Thats why I sugested a pro. You can ruin a good dog with a collar if you don't know what your doing.

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It depends on what YOU want and how much time YOU are willing to invest.
My first lab was the epitome of a fabulous meat dog. When it came to picking up birds, NONE were better. I trained him strictly from Water Dog.
His son has earned both Master Hunter and Hunting Retriever Champion titles. I've done all the training w/ info from various sources, trained w/ multiple pros and invested more time, miles, energy, smiles and tears than you could possibly calculate. If you have never trained a gun dog, don't live next door to a pro or just can't put the time in---hire a pro. The results will make you smile.

IF,IF,IF...you can find a copy, Julie & Paul Knutson wrote "The Pointing Lab"....great practical info...

If you are 50% waterfowl & 50% upland, consider getting a pointing lab! Most labs are great, the pointing labs are just as good PLUS they will actually point birds!

Three most important things: 1)Time with the puppy, (2) time with the puppy in the field, and (3)genetics!! If you spend enough time on #1 and #2......#3 will come out.

Enjoy your puppy and good luck

PS. Do yourself a favor...get a female and have her "fixed"....took me 25 years of males to learn this.

I have already decided that I am going to get a female and have her fixed. I do plan on getting a lab (maybe a pointing lab). I haven't picked a color or a breeder, but I am searching right now for a reputable breeder. My hunting will likely be dominated by upland birds (grouse mostly) with about 1/3 waterfowl so I really need a versatile dog.

I think I might get a whole mix of books and DVD's and go over them twice. I do have a lot of time but travel a little for work in the summer (no dogs allowed in work rig) so that may be an issue.

Thanks for the input...keep 'em coming!

Three good breeders to checkout:

Snake River Pointing Labs (Idaho)
Trieven Kennels (Wyo)
Tiger Mountain (Wash)

Good luck and let us know what you get.

PS.....color of the dog's coat has ZERO impact on their hunting ability