Dog Training Material & Information

[LABS4ME]

sorry Hemi,

I was deer hunting when you posted your question. Try again now, it should work for you.

Capt. Blaine, what kind of dog are you starting. Most of the books and materials above will help you, you just need to buy the ones focusing on flusher or pointer.

Good Luck!

Ken

[311Hemi]

Thanks Ken. I tried it and it still give me the same message and I wont allow me to update it.

[gspman]

Quote:

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Have you read much about the Bill West (Gibbons/Lindy) method?

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That method works just fine. There seems to be a religious following with the West method and you either love it or hate it for various reasons. Sorta like the Marcum vs. Vexilar argument that always heats up this time of year. Clearly the method works though. A lot of people use it to train flushers to point which I think is the point (pun intended) for some people. You are training the dog to point rather that letting it's instincts to tell it to point. Again, the method obviously works.

[Capt.Blaine]

LABS4ME

I am picking up a flushing lab soon. I'll have to check into the list on top of this post.

[Scott M]

I need a little help. My wife and I are planning on purchasing a female black lab this spring and want to start our homework, research, and reading now.

She stumbled into a book while doing a little preparation and training search without me and thinks its the book we need since it covers every little detail from what to look for in the breed to how to make sure the dog gets along with vets. It seems to have a non-hunting approach. Granted this dog will also be a family dog, but the main purpose is hunting dog. The book is "Training Your Labrador Retriever" by September Morn. I'm a little skeptical, since its not a hunting based training book and the author's hippie parents named the author after a month of the year (okay, that wasn't very nice, but it shows I'm a little biased against the book).

I see the books and authors listed in this thread and they all seem so advanced or specialized. What can I get for someone 100% brand new to gun dogs, sporting breeds, training, etc. I mean, greenhand, wet-behind-the-ears simple. A couple options would be nice, and if they have already been listed, excuse my speed-reading and/or ignorance. Basically I want to have a nice gun dog, mostly for waterfowl hunting, with the occasional upland hunt of pheasants or grouse. Can you help me out?

[311Hemi]

da_chise, I would strongly recommend the "Training the Pointing Labrador" by Julie Knutson, even though you may not have purchased a pointing lab. It is a good book for ANY retriever.

This book is will cover everything from before the puppy all the way to advanced training that many will not do. I think it would be a GREAT book for someone new to training as explain what is going on in a dogs head and gets you to understand what your doing and why. Not many books out there that do this....at least that I have read.

[hoggs222]

Does anybody know of any books out there on Blackmouth Curs?

[eagle_3464]

Hemi, what made you decide to get your next pup out of Sauk River? I just placed a deposit there myself this week. I have read alot of good things about the Morks, plus they are working with some top notch pedigrees there IMO.

[311Hemi]

Eagle, I would be happy to talk to you more about it. Please email me at zach****ej1 (at) hotmail . com

Remove the **** from the email address.

[Jackpine Rob]

An old but still relevant book that covers the basics well is called "Game Dog" by Richard Wolters. In addition to the training methods (which were revolutionary in their day), Wolters sprinkles in stories and examples.

His book follows the training of his own new lab pup, step by step - and explains not only what to do, but how to do it and more importantly "why".

I saw the pup that the book followed (Tar) work at Game Fair several years later. What a treat.

[Timber]

Hemi,

I e-mailed the Smartwork people and asked them which of their materials I'd need for my situation with my new pup, and they said the Smartwork Basics Pack, plus Transition; Phase 1. If I'm reading their HSOforum correctly, that would run about $150. Not very reasonable. Do I have this right?

[grousehunter]

I really like butch goodwins book. Retrievers... from the inside, out. It is very detailed and goes over everything from picking a breeder to advanced training and some extra fun stuff to teach your dog hunting related. It's well written and easy to follow and has stories throughout it to keep it interesting instead of just do this and then do this etc.

[gonefishin11]

Are there any recommendations for material to train a British Labrador and for training with the British style?

I would like to research both the British and American styles to decide which I like better.

Another recommendation for a beginning trainer would be Joan Bailey "How to Help your Gun Dog Train Themselves."

[Walleye Waltz]

Jackpine, I have to agree with you. i have used the wolters method on my last two labs and have had great turn out. I like the way he breaks it down. It reminds me of a who to train your retriever for dumbies book. Step by step how to examples and why you are doing it. I have the dvd of game dog and watching Tar in that movie is awesome! teh way he could stop her in mid water and turn here I got dizzy watching but Tar never faulted, pure awesome. the dvd I have referances the book so you can follow alone in the book and get a better example. One other book he has out that could help too is Water Dog. Another good book and dvd. based more toward your duck dog but does d oa good job going over the OB commands. I hunt a well rounded lab both water and upland and live by both of these book. I guess I go back to the you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Wolters did a great job and is a proven trainer. you can't go worng with one of his books or movies!

[Weed Shark]

Here is one that was recently recommended to me that I have yet to read, but will be ordering.

Retriever Training For Spaniels: Working With Soft-Tempered, Hard-Headed, Intelligent Dogs

by Pamela Owen Kadlec

is a highly practical, "user friendly" guide to the art and science of teaching Spaniels to be effective retrievers and gun dogs, with special emphasis on the Boykin Spaniel. Individual chapters cover the difference in temperament between Spaniels and Labrador Retrievers, how to best use positive reinforcement and "clicker" training on a Spaniel puppy, things that must be taught to a puppy before it reaches six months of age, and a great deal more. Black-and-white photographs enhance and illustrate this clear, methodical, and straightforward text of this strongly recommended and specialized instruction book.

[ironrangegemneye]

I am working with my first little male lab. He is now 11 months old and had a fantastic hunting season this past year with hunting grouse about a dozen times, pheasant 5 times, and duck about 8 times. Much of his hunting ability came from the pedigrees on both sides, but the training helped him direct his abilities.

I have used both Water Dog and Game Dog by Richard A. Wolters. Both books were very helpful from the time I got my pup at 7 weeks old. Also, both of the books remain on my night stand next to my bed so I can open them up and review their content.

I also picked up the Total Retriever series by Mike Lardy. I have begun reviewing that content and plan to use more of it in the spring once the snow disappears.

Does anyone have any training methods that they work on over the winter months? The few things we have been working on are short retrieves and lots of whistle command work while going for walks in the woods. I have shoveled straight paths in a field for short retrieves and am thinking about using the Double T also, along with some more pile work and fetch work.

I want to get the most out of this winter and want him to be ready for more intense training and work in the spring.

[FCspringer]

Hi guy's new to this forum. Haveing fun finding my way around abit but I will add that those books for the Spaniels and Dob's books and tapes work very well. I used allot of them training for field trials, and they polish a dog nicely. But be carefull with some of the ecollar stuff and take your time if you are not familure with collar training. Iron Range Are you familare with Place board training? It is a great tool for the winter for excersise,hand comands, control,delivery,steadyness,and retrieving.

[MuleShack]

da_chise, I would strongly recommend the "Training the Pointing Labrador" by Julie Knutson, even though you may not have purchased a pointing lab. It is a good book for ANY retriever.

This book is will cover everything from before the puppy all the way to advanced training that many will not do. I think it would be a GREAT book for someone new to training as explain what is going on in a dogs head and gets you to understand what your doing and why. Not many books out there that do this....at least that I have read.

Just wanted to follow up on this post with some questions. Sometimes it is tough to buy a book on line and know what you are getting. i found 2 books that look somewhat identical. One is called "TRAINING THE POINTING LABRADOR" (Hardcover)by JULIE KNUTSON (Author) and the other one is "The Pointing Labrador" [iLLUSTRATED] (Paperback) by Julie Knutson (Author), Paul Knutson (Author). The second one is twice as much maybe cause it has pictures? Which one would be better for the beginner (not as dogs go in general, but for training purposes for both myself and the wife) are they basically the same book but with pictures on the second one? The first one doesn't have any description on line. Anyhelp wba and thanks in advance.

We've got a Chololate Female lined up for mid May to take home at 7 weeks and want to get our ducks in a row before we get her.

[lenny7]

i found 2 books that look somewhat identical. One is called "TRAINING THE POINTING LABRADOR" (Hardcover)by JULIE KNUTSON (Author) and the other one is "The Pointing Labrador" [iLLUSTRATED] (Paperback) by Julie Knutson (Author), Paul Knutson (Author). The second one is twice as much maybe cause it has pictures? Which one would be better for the beginner (not as dogs go in general, but for training purposes for both myself and the wife) are they basically the same book but with pictures on the second one? The first one doesn't have any description on line. Anyhelp wba and thanks in advance.

[herm]

Lenny7 is correct. Training the Pointing Lab is her new book. (The other one is no longer in print and that is why it is extremely expensive.) The second book is available at her Web site. I have read it almost twice - as my family just picked up our first Pointing Lab this weekend.

I am THE DEFINITION of Newbie when it comes to PLs/hunting dogs

I borrowed the first book from a friend and read it. It helped convince me a PL was the dog for us. After we found a pup (with help from her first book and several months of research)I bought her new book. It's better than the first because she writes about "Hank" - and everything you need/want/can do to train him to be all he can be. She starts with Puppy Research and takes you through everything from an upland dog to water training to Double Ts, etc. (If we can accomplish half the stuff she covers, I will be ecstatic!)

My breeder also highly recommended it. And as my wife notes, the book already has become "my bible." We're literally on Day 3 with our PL and I've already re-read parts as I try to follow her suggestions and work with our kids to do the same.

If you go with a PL, I think this is a Must-Have item.

Now, off to "The Walk" for the second time! (read the book; you will know what I mean.)

And, yes, labs chew a lot...and eveything. (Told you I was a newbie!)

[setterguy]

IF, I mean IF you can find it, Do it right, do it yourself by Len Jenkins is the best pointer guidebook I've ever read, and I have read a lot. Sometimes you can find a used copy on Amazon or E bay...Very good book. Len teaches you how to tailor your training to each dog, instead of tailoring the dog to the training.

[MuleShack]

Thanks for the clarification guys and the info. I will go after the new book.

Our lab will not be a pointer but still sounds like it would be a good book to use from puppy going forward.

[pureinsanity]

any of the training books by Richard Wolters is a great way to train your dog!

My father has used it, I have used it and so have friends. Come out with the best dogs you could ask for if you do what this book says..

I specifically used water dog by Richard. But most of his books are relatively the same.

nick

[Bowfin]

May I suggest going to the Game Fair in Anoka each August. I don't know when you have so many "expert" trainers at your disposal all at once. Advice and demonstration seminars on everything from pointers, retrievers to coon hounds. This isn't a replacement for a good book or DVD program but why pass a chance to consult with many experts and you can bring your dog also. I went both weekends this year.

[march brown]

I have a 10 month old english setter, Decoverly line. Hips and elbows are good. My question is this, the vet was hesitant to remove rear dew claws at this point. Is this wierd? Seems like it shouldn't be an issue.