Training

[onstep]

As my search for a lab has closed in on a dog I would like to discuss what training information people are using. I've seen the Wolters books and heard about the 10 minute retriever. What systems or manuals are you guys using? Who has a method which concentrates on a all around lab not just a field or hunt trial dog? What little info I have looked at seems to be favored to trials not a companion/hunter.

[RoscoeP]

I used Wolters system on my Yellow Lab, and it worked great. Whistle training and hand signals were very easy. Start early, be consistent, and make it fun. Heaps of praise is good, but remember that the dog needs to know who is head of the pack at all times.... :smile:

[fishinpoor]

tri-tronics retriever training is an excellent book,even if you choose not to go the e-collar route,it is a step by step guide to making a good citizen/gun dog,as a pro trainer i use alot of the methods taken from this book,some altered and some just as printed,also get involved with a training group with people that know how to train and learn from them,there seems to be alot of guys on i-fish that know dogs and how to handle them and im sure if you searched around they would be happy to share some tips with you.good luck and have fun with your new pup..............Dave

[Catch 22]

10 min retreiver is a great book.

Read as much as you can and do what works best for you. No 1 theory or system is best for every trainer and every dog.

Good luck and most important, keep it fun for the dog and you.

[billc_sbio]

There are lots of good books and lots of good advice out there.

Most of them will work much of the time.

My take on it is that the difference between a good Pro Trainer and everybody else is the Pro Trainer KNOWS WHAT TO DO when what it says to do in the book doesn't work!

[fishinpoor]

billc,that is a good point,most books or videos don't tell you what to do or how to do should something go wrong,thats where a pro or someone who has alot of dog experiance can still get the point across,dog training is not just going through the motions and expecting the dog to understand,there is a lot of psycology involved as well.

[Hawk]

I looked at the library and Wolters has about three or four dog training books, and one video tape. Which one(s) should I be looking for?

I can't find the 10-minute retriever at all. Can someone tell me the author of that one?

Can anyone recommend any good training videos for those of us with attention spans are too short for reading? :tongue:

[billc_sbio]

As I recall (and it's been a while since I checked on this) Wolters had the books Water Dog, Bird Dog, Family Dog and Gun Dog.

I believe Water Dog was his first, for training Retrievers. Then he did Bird Dog for Pointing Dogs. Family Dog came next applying similar techniques but without the need for all the hunting stuff, I guessing (I don't know, I've only seen the cover) probably pretty much around the house obedience.

Apparently, some people had problems with Water Dog and Wolters went back and revised it and brought out Gun Dog.

I remember when he was doing this and writing articles in the old Gun Dog Magazine and describing improvements he was working on for his new book.

When I bought my first Lab pup, the breeder INSISTED that I have copy of Water Dog and when I said I didn't he included one along with the pup!

I never had any trouble with Water Dog and I've used most of the techniques and timetables (plus other tips from other books) with all of my Labs. They've worked for me.

It would be nice if some of the competitive Retriever folks on here like Tilla and Hawaiian Time gave their opinions.

From what I've heard some of the best training materials available today for Retrievers come from Mike Lardy.

[Hawaiian Time]

Just got back from the Salem Retriever Club picnic trial at St. Louis Ponds. Spent the day with Tilla working our dogs along with about 40 others. Now, about which books are the best to read to get your puppy starting on retrieving. Simply put, if you are just starting out with your first retriever, then a book like Wolters is a good start. It gives you a week by week program starting when you get your pup home at 7 weeks. 49 days is what they say is the best time to get your pup home. It tells you exactly what you should do with your dog daily to get him/her started on the right track. If you are a little familiar with the training of retrievers, you could step up to several of the other books mentioned. Tri-Tronics covers alot of what Wolters touches on but is a little more in detailed, covering forced fetching, collar conditioning and the rest. Lardy's series of tapes are very informative but I would say that it is geared more towards the serious trainer who is into Hunt Tests or Field Trials. The concept training that is covered is important for the competing dogs to acquire but in many cases not necessary to someone looking for a dog to just bring back "the chicken" as Tilla always says. The Lardy series of tapes is also very expensive. Also, it takes access to alot of different types of land with concept type ponds, etc. to really apply some of the training. I like to read retrieving training books from different authors to expose myself to how others train their dogs. For the most part, all the different training techniques get you to the same location and that hopefully is a finished dog you can be proud of. Unless you've spent the time training a dog you cannot believe the amount of work and time that goes into it. I laugh when people look at the price of let's say $2500 for a dog doing multiple marks, land and water blinds and is steady and say they don't understand why it is so expensive.

Start with a well bred dog that is bred for retrieving. Several individuals have led others to believe that these dogs bred for retrieving and competitions are just out of control in a home atmostphere. To that I say baloney. My dogs are bred for go in the field but at home they are part of the family and not running around destroying my yard and home. If you are buying a dog to do some retrieving, why buy a dog that has had alot of that instinct bred out of it? If you as a new pup owner spend the time to get your dog the necessary training, starting early in his life and keeping him/her progressing, I know you with have a wonderful companion at home and in the field.

Now, Professional trainers are a great asset if you don't have the time to get the basics in and can afford the $500 plus dollars a month fee. Make sure that you pick a reputable trainer that comes highly recommended. Most important is that you make time to get out and watch the training that your dogs is going through. Participate with the training of the dog by getting out and throwing bumpers or birds for the dogs while they are in training. Most pro's that I know of welcome the owners to come out and watch the progress of your dog. If they don't allow this, than look for another trainer. Make sure that the trainer before he sends your dog home, trains you on how to handle the dog. If the pro doesn't do this, than you're wasting your money having the dog trained professionally only to get it home and you not know what to do to keep it's training up. I hope this helps some of you soon to be puppy owners. :tongue:HT

[Jonah's Revenge]

I've been using the Tritronics Retreiver Training book and have been very happy with it. As long as you can afford it, borrow it, or get it from the library, I would read as many as you can. I have read quite a few books and will take some bits of advise out of them.
The Tritronics book was the most well rounded book that I read and also goes with my belief on training.

[blackdog]

If you're just looking for a book that will help you make your dog a well mannered citizen for 9 months a year and a good hunter for the other three, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the popular books that have been talked about. Just pick one and stick to it. Provide your dog with consistent training presented with a level head and reasonable expectations and you both should do fine.

By the way, the book '10 Minute Retriever' is by authors John and Amy Dahl. I liked this book quite a bit and it's not too complicated that the trainer just starting out can't understand it. I found my copy at Barnes&NOble or you should be able to find it on Amazon or other web retailers.

[Tilla]

I have mentioned this before, but another alternative is weekly forcing and training lessons from a pro. For about $25 a session (1/2 hr -1/2 day depending on level) you get trained on how to train your dog. You get homework. Good way to skip through all the misconceptions and learn the art. You learn how to use a forcing table, you learn how to properly collar condition, you learn how to handle. You learn how to get out of a hole you dug! And you take your dog home with you every time!
PM if you want to know more.

[Flatfish]

What Tilla said.

Mark and the dog.

[gamoshot]

I used WATER DOG by Richard Wolters.I used it for my dogs and they are the best duck retreavers. good luck, james