I am getting a Lab puppy later in the year. How can I train him not to chase my tame waterfowl which feed at the back door every morning and evening. The lake is also right outside my house! I need to get him used to the ducks being part of the family and train him not to fall in the lake! Is there a recommended technique ?
Hi Gilly, welcome to the forum I'm just giving your post a bump, in the hope someone with similar experience can help! I'm afraid I haven't tried anything similar, but I'd definitely set up a barrier between any puppy and tame ducks at first!
Is there any possibility of introducing some ducks to the litter of puppies when the dogs are three weeks of age and this a weekly ongoing event? At that age pups will view the ducks as part of the litter. And the puppy will view them as part of her family. You will need a very cooperative breeder. But can't hurt to ask. And some very tame ducks. I admit I dont know how such exposure would affect the puppies' abilities to be future gundogs. I am also not sure why you want to teach a Lab not to go in the water. Are the banks too steep for a puppy? If so, you need to use a lead or long line when you supervise the puppy's play around the lake. But do expose the puppy to water as part of her socialisation period. Let the puppy decide whether she wants to go in the shallows. Get in with her and have a wonderful party. With gradual exposure she will grow up to be a strong and confident swimmer.
