Chuck H,
I just re-read the posts, and discovered that you are getting a started dog. Hopefully you will have had an opportunity to train for a few days with the previous owner. The handler-dog relationship is made up of more than just words, whistles, and casts. Well trained dogs will take direction from body language and body position as well. You should also figure out what kind of corrections the dog is used to.
Some common commands that often mistaken:
1) BACK---this means run away from the handler to make a BLIND retrieve...usually the dog's name is used to send him on a MARK. Sending a well trained retriever on "BACK" for a MARK is likely to confuse them, as they should expect a blind retrieve.
2) COME---rarely used by most pros... "HERE!" is the command. In our house we use "come" as a suggestion or request. I don't use it in the field. "HERE!" is the command I enforce, "come" is not enforced.
3) DEAD BIRD--- this is used from the heel position to prepare the dog to run a blind retrieve. Using "dead bird" to encourage your dog to find a lost bird may result in confusion.
4) STAY--- not typically used by pros. "SIT!" means "SIT". The dog is not expected to move until released.
All of these commands vary a little from pro to pro, and probably region to region. I suggest you talk to the previous owner to find out what the dog is used to.
Good luck,
Todd
