I have a lab who is 4 years old, I actually got him from a breeder who told me he was from an AKC championship duck retrieving blood line.

He is a great dog that has been very trainable but I am just starting to pick up duck hunting and he has zero experience. He plays fetch like a freak though.

Would be awesome if he could be trained.

Age is just a number, but it tends to be challenging in some areas where a dog might be set in his ways

He told you he was from champion bloodline or offered proof?

I hope you didn't pay champion bloodline money.

He told me and gave me AKC papers and let me meet his parents. No need for him to lie because I told him i had no intention of hunting with him. My wife just wanted a lab and she found his batch online.

He actually was seemed pretty pissed when I told him I wasn't going to hunt with him too haha. He wasn't cheap, but he is a great dog. I have no regrets whatever the outcome is.

If he has the background, then no hes not too old

If your just wanting a hunting dog, papers and background dont matter, the only thing important for that is eagerness to retrieve, and a dog with a pleasing attitude always makes thing a little smoother. You say he's been trainable so far, I assume obedience? If so it's definatley worth a shot.

JC

Listen to CCRTX! Besides, what have you got to lose by training him by yourself or get with a group of guys that train together? Find a hunting retriever club and get involved with the members that train. You'll be helping them and they'll be helping you. Win-Win situation .......

Any of you guys ever converted a quail dog to ducks? Have a stud german shorthair and no quail. Hunt out in Guthrie area and last year just decimated them. Tired of watching him get all excited when I heard out duck hunting only to be left at home?

Yes. I quail hunt with my vizsla a few times a year. The rest of the time I duck, dove and goose hunt with him. You only need to teach him to stay steady by your side, or to down if goose hunting. They learn to watch the skies for birds by hunting with them.
For practice I just sat in a chair with the dog beside me. Shoot a blank and have someone throw the duck. Send him for the retrieve.

Not always that easy,,, it'd be nice if it were

If the GSP is already retrieving quail land/water, its not to hard to turn them into a waterfowl meat dog. He won't be running pretty blind retrieves but will pick up what he sees fall.
Some of the upland dogs are taught hand signals and can be sent different directions to hunt. You can transfer this over to water retrives and get the dog in the general location the duck fell, if he didn't mark it.

Yes, but the proper thing is to force fetch if possible

I'm all about meat dogs,, that's the majority of income.. But even meat dogs need to be force fetched, gives you so so much more.. And it's very doable I've done lots of GSP's, griffons, and spaniels.. Sooner or later a non FF dog makes the decision to not make a retrieve, and that's no fun

Plenty of upland dogs are that don't duck hunt are force fetched.
I don't know the extent of training his dog has had but mine is force fetched.

Good deal, and yes some are and it's good for them even as upland.. Not arguing any of that at all.. I was just adding to the post more facts.. You original post is right on point, being yours is force fetched.. I was just adding in for those that arnt.. That's all

I wasn't arguing either. I just didn't think the dog needed to wait till next season to go hunting. Teach him a couple of things and take him out hunting. He can always send him to a trainer in the off season.