Well Tucker is 12 weeks and we have been letting him be a puppy. All we are doing now is socializaton, 4 retreives with a canvas bumper twice a week, retrive a duck wing once a week. Sit for food, sit/stay for food walk on and off lead and beginning intro to water at the beach.

Is ther anything I missed for this age? When does formal training begin? I was thinking about 5 months old. cjd

I think formal training begins when you bring them home. Letting the puppy be a puppy only condones puppy behavior. In regards to retriever training I'm for exposing them to as much as you can as early as you can, some mature later than others but some can do amazing things as a baby. Depending on what your goals are and how the pup reacts to training should determine your training progress. Despite all that I think the puppy would be fine doing more retrieves.
Scott

You may consider enrolling him in a puppy obedience course. Even though it sounds like you have a handle on the obedience portion, it would given him a great chance to socialize. Or you can join a local Hunting Retriever Club, and start working based upon their experiences. I know at 12 weeks, I was doing a bunch of obedience for treats to insure what I want is understood before I went into formal obedience. But Most of all have a ton of fun with it!!

Josh

Muddy Twelve Gauge

Take him for walks off lead. Walk through woods, fields, high grass, across ditches, large puddles, shallow streams etc.

Just walk, he will follow, then sleep.

Have fun!

Tim