School of dog training - handling

"George indeed has some of the finest field dogs you'll ever hunt over."

Shooting Sportsman Magazine

PUPPIES

All of our puppies have been wormed, have been given initial immunizations and been examined by a veterinarian. A veterinarian health certificate accompanies each puppy. All litters are registered with the American Kennel Club, and our breeding dogs are X-rayed to ensure sound patellae, elbows and hips.

Puppies are available for pick up at the facility where they were whelped. Puppies can be shipped via air carrier at eight weeks of age.

A deposit of $200 will reserve a puppy. Of course, if Mother Nature does not co-operate or your sex preference is not available, you may either reserve a pup from another litter or have your deposit refunded.

To reserve a puppy, contact our office. George or Carol will call you and discuss the breeding and your requirements with you.

George's goal is to help you enjoy years of team success with your dog. For more than fifteen years dog owners from Alaska to Texas have benefited from attending one of our training schools. A proven training program that incorporates an understanding of how dogs learn is essential for a dog to develop into a bragging-rights hunting companion.

Training a dog and maintaining a level of excellence requires trainer knowledge. All clients purchasing a level I Labrador retriever has the option of attending one of the 4-day George Hickox School of Dog Training seminars for $595. Both the dog and the owner will benefit.

LEVEL I

Approximate age 6 months
$3500

A level I dog will have had a proper introduction to live birds and has had numbers of birds shot over him. The dog has been exposed to intensive yard work involving clicker training. He understands the basic commands of "Sit", "Kennel", and "Here." Initial yard work is well started and proper introduction to low level e-collar stimulation has been completed.

The imprinting stage spans the developmental time frame from six weeks to twenty weeks of age. The most crucial period is from eight to sixteen weeks of age. It is critical that the dog be exposed to live birds, the field and basic structure during this period if the dog is to maximize his full potential. A dog that has been exposed to critical environmental factors during the imprinting stage has a mind that is open to learning. It is a joy to work with such an animal. If a hunting dog is to maximize his full genetic potential, it is imperative that the dog is properly exposed to live birds and that he receives a measure of basic, consistent structure during the imprinting period. We are dog trainers. Letting us prepare your young dog for his future training with you and having us take care of the necessary foundational prerequisites is money well spent. Do it right from the start. Then spend time with us and formulate a plan for the direction to take with your dog.

Stonecreek Labrador Retriever Information
Stonecreek Labrador Retrievers for Sale
Frequently Asked Questions

Training Tips

I can't stress enough that puppies not properly socialized will never reach their full potential. In my experience, pups isolated from positive people contact prior to 12 weeks of age are a trainer's albatross.

I recently received a letter from an individual who had purchased a six-month-old dog. Since birth, the dog had been kenneled with its littermates, and when anyone approached the enclosure all pups had sought refuge in the doghouse. At eight months the pup was reticent and timid. I was sorry to have to tell the owner that because of this lack of socialization it would be almost impossible to make his dog into a first-rate hunting companion.

During your dog's first six months it is critical that the pup come to know and trust you and that you learn to understand the pup's developing personality. You will see the pup mature and its ability to concentrate increase. A key ingredient in training is to know when the dog is ready to learn as well as when it's ready to move on.

To properly expose the pup, take it for walks where it will be introduced to new scents, people and other animals. Let strangers spoil it. Pup needs to see the world, not just your backyard.