Dog training

RogueFishr · 08-12-2003, 08:38 PM

what are some good books for getting started on training a lab? I have read Walters and Koehlers books so far and they are different approaches (not to mention Walters starts months earlier than Koelher). I am looking to get started with obedience and would like to end up with a well trained dog. Just wondering what guys here have used and recomend.

RF

Capin' Dan · 08-12-2003, 11:32 PM

Richard Wolters is my favorite. Family dog, Gun dog, Water dog. Look on Ebay you can get them cheap usually they may have other books as well.

Dan!

Beaver93 · 08-13-2003, 07:48 AM

I've got a pretty voracious reading appetite, in addition to those mentioned above, try these:

The 10-minute Labrador by John & Amy Dahl. Real nice read.

The Labrador Shooting Dog by Mike Gould. Although he inputs lots of editorial and some self-promotion here and there, it's a good book. His power obedience rod has been a real life saver for me.

If you want to get lots of OPINIONS on what to read/not read or do/not do, go post this on the forums at www.retrievertraining.net.

CN

rockn'reel · 08-13-2003, 12:18 PM

I don't know if you are looking for just books, but there are also videos available. Water Dog, Gun Dog, the whole line are on video and DVD. I just picked up water dor here at Sportsman's Warehouse in Portland. You can also get them out of cabela's. I read a lot but sometimes actually seeing how it is done is better than trying to decipher it from the pages. I have a five year old lab and I do not train him as much as I would like, but he just runs circles around all the other dogs I hunt with. Most of the time my hunting partners want to use him instead of their dogs. This is directly related to my dog and the use of these videos.

RogueFishr · 08-13-2003, 07:59 PM

Thanks for the info. I will check out some of the other mentioned books next. So far what I have read (Walters Family Dog and Koehler's Method of Dog Training) are pretty different. I have lots more reading to do. The dog will be here in October

thanks again for the info,

RF

James in Idaho · 08-13-2003, 11:26 PM

"Training the Working Retriever" by Thomas Quinn
"Tri-Tronic's Retriever Training" good even if you don't plan on using an e-collar

Don't care for anything by Wolters or (gasp!) Tarrent

There is a series by Mike Lardy from "Retriever Journal", and there are also video tapes which can be purchased to go with it, spendy but he is currently the #1 trainer in the field trial game. You should find a link at the web site "Working Retriever Central"

"Retriever Training" by James Lamb Free, considered the classic retriever training book, dated, but some very good tips for a "tennis shoe" trainer.

And subscribe the the hunting retriever list, lots of help there if you need it.

hunting-retriever@citabra.uark.edu

I think that will get you there.

And the NUMBER 1 thing to do is find and join a retriever club, Tilla can point the way for you in the NW.

Labsforme · 08-14-2003, 08:30 AM

Even when they weren't outdated I didn't like any of Wolter's books.Lardy,Evan Graham(Smartworks series),Dahl,D. and Ann Walters.If you want advanced work go to trainers that are the leaders in modern training.I still like James Lamb Free because of the puppy stuff.Keep to one program that fits you and stick with it.Many people(including self) try to pick and chose and just confuse the dog by at times conflicting methods.

Tilla · 08-14-2003, 08:11 PM

If you go to the AKC website you can look up performance clubs and get contact names for the Umpqua Valley and Rogue valley retriever clubs. The Umpqua Valley people are a hoot! Although the practice training events may be over for the year you might want to get on the mailing lists for next spring.
The books are great, but there is a knack to it. Just 10 minutes a day,a few days a week, keep it fun for awhile. You are teaching the pup about learning in his life. Don't rush, it will always come down to here, sit, and stay no matter how fancy you want to get. Learn to give the command once and be able to enforce it. (not like most kids today) Don't catch yourself saying sit sit sit sit. One time only.
Enjoy and love your pup.

ZACKYDAD · 08-14-2003, 11:50 PM

I have a Tri-Tronics Dog collar for sale real cheap,brand new never been out of the box.Flyway Special XL

LCFisherlady · 08-15-2003, 01:14 PM

You might also get the book Beyond Basic Training by Diane Bauman....This is not a 'retreiver training' manual but it deals with obiedience training including how to do the forced retrieve. It has everything in it to train any dog to do anything, and a lot of insite how a dog learns and how to reinforce the learning...Good luck with the Pup
j

Capin' Dan · 08-16-2003, 10:01 PM

Hey folks look at ebay for the books mentioned above. You can get some great deals for a fraction of the cost.