Hey stick.... you sound just like a guy I know. I love my lapradors. They're yellow and mellow and they get birds. And my kids can ride them and bite them and ruff house till no end and the dogs just lay there. Besides I feel if you teach your dog over experienced dogs not trained but experienced then they catch on quicker. Here's my test. If they'll get wounded ducks that keep diving and darting hey now that's a good dog