I bought a lab two years ago, first dog I've ever owned. I was 46. Spent time teaching him the basics, sit, here, heel. I spent a little time with him just about every day, with those commands and retrieving. Someone recommended a book or two, and i read those. He's a great hunting dog now, and I knew very little going into it for training. I did buy a dog with a good pedigree assuming it would make the job more enjoyable, and it has been. I feel pretty lucky with Cooper. BTW, he's a handsome 56-pound fox red British Lab.