Anybody use a lab to retrieve dove?

by far the most used dove dog...

My Chocolate Lab would retrieve every bird she saw fall.

I have one that has enjoyed 11 dove seasons. He is still in good shape but he'll be pushing 12yrs old when this season rolls around. I am working on training a Boykin now.

I can't think of many upland birds a good lab wouldn't bring back

What is involved in training them to retrieve dove?

If your dog already retrieves on command. All you need to to give him some practice with the size and smell of a dove. I shot one, picked it up. Played with my dog with that bird a little and he retrieved the next mark on his own.

I had a friend who had a little trouble with his lab retrieving doves. It was like he ended up with to many feathers in his mouth. Someone told him to freeze a few doves and tie them in a piece of old panty hose. His dog got use to that and now he retrieves doves really well.

Yep

Like someone said some don't like the mouth full of feathers they get. Good tip about freezing them sounds like

Mine would always eat the first one.

Never had a dog eat a whole bird but I do pop a head off every once in a while and give it to them as a treat. Keeps em bringing em back, quick.

He would pluck it at about twenty feet so he could run if I went after him. After that, he was good to go and didn't tenderize them or anything.

If I disciplined him for eating the first one he would be sulky for a couple of hours. He also growled when the birds started flying so I would know to look around.