retreiver training books

Rick L

Rick L

Well-known member
here is the short version of the back story -my last retriever passed nearly 20 years ago-
I had no complaints with her training, in fact still brag on what a great dog Teal was- but am honest enough to say much of that her genetics, not her trainer
its been English setters and the uplands since then -


that changes in 1 1/2 weeks ;=)

so- with all the new and classic books on retriever training methods out there - whats your favorite and - importantly - why? I am still a book guy, I'll take a hard cover in a dust jacket over a glowing device any day.

but since Al Gore had not yet invented the internet when Teal was a pup- what websites, training forums do you frequent? And what videos are worth getting?
I already have already purchased Mertens' "Sound Beginnings" based on online reviews


Meet Macallan
DSC_0302_zpsnltsq9pn.jpg

 
Great name!

I really like "The 10 minute retriever" & "Retrievers from the inside out", I also followed Evan Graham's program relatively loosely, but I found the videos fairly helpful.

Enjoy the ride!
 
Hey I recognize the dog :) I brought out some duck wings again last night and just threw them on the floor in the middle of the room. Nine times out of ten Macallen would end up with one and not let anyone get it from him. At one point he wasn't happy with one wing and got them both. I definitely think you made a good choice.

I agree with books. I like something that I can hold in my hands and write notes in. My books are mostly older:

Training Retrievers for the Marshes and Meadows by James Spencer
Water Dog by Richard Wolters
I've got another one which is just a bunch of drills that I like. Can't remember the title and I'm not at home. I'll post it when I get home or show it to you when you pick up Macallen.
 
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Sound beginnings is a good I was going to say that,
also Bill Hillmann has a good pup DVD I really liked and have been using with my Chessie pup. The Hillmann DVD is a positive reinforcement type of training that my Chessie is just sucking in and really excelling at.

Another good DVD for obedience only is Dave Dikeman command performance, its kind of cheesy but is real easy to follow and has worked great on my last 3 retrievers.

Been 9 years since the last time I had to this.
 
I'll second Hank's recommendations of:

10 Minute Retriever for basic obedience and retrieving
Evan Graham's program for more advanced stuff.
 
thanks for the update Darin - can't tell you how much we are looking forward to this adventure
 
I'll second Hank's recommendations of:

10 Minute Retriever for basic obedience and retrieving
Evan Graham's program for more advanced stuff.
Click to expand...

What I'm going to be using with Thorr my 11 week old black lab pup.
 
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Rick,

Part of the answers depend on what you want from your dog. Sounds beginning is a great resource. There are lots of resources out there. Here is one I like: http://www.totalretriever.com/index.php/articles/training-with-mike-lardy-volume-1 He also has DVD's to watch.

As far as websites go check this one out: www.retrievertraining.net/forums There are lots of experienced dog trainers. Discussions can get a little heated sometimes. It is hard to image but some people there take themselves and dog training a little too seriously!

Have fun with your pup,

Tom
 
Rick,

Part of the answers depend on what you want from your dog.
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that is simple - i hunt - i want my dog to hunt- retrieves, blind retrieves, some upland work

steady,takes hand signals- answers the whistle - well behaved in the boat or blind or home

- although i will likely do some field/hunt tests- i don't care about a field trial auto-matron - a hunting dog thinks

like I said - I trained a good retriever before (read Wolters & Lamb and had advice from a friend) -and a spaniel before and several setters since -

thoughts on behavioral science has changed (i doubt dogs have that much) and I'd like to see what has changed in methods
Click to expand...
 
Some of those books may be outdated as there have been great advancements with the use of electric collars. I started training retrievers before they were in use and the game is totally different now.
Used right, the modern way, they make for happy eager dogs, not electrified zombies.
I would look for a book whose author relied on collar training.

I have met Wolters and was never impressed with him. He was an author first and a dog person second. He started writing his first book when he got his first dog. Three years later he was an expert dog trainer with a not too hot dog!
Good luck with your dog. Don't worry it is hard to ruin a lab, easy to train one.
 
rick, I have trained and trialed labs since the 70s. I read Richard w. book game dog. my second lab did the complete akc hunt test program jr senior and second youngest to qualify for master national first yr. held all with out collar. he also became nahra master hunter and all American retriever at the national invitation. my younger dog a female also became a dual master hunter at 2 half but started her on collar program.i think his books give you good ground work. I have a diary on each dog trained from 49 days till their titles. I use his book as a guide to see what to expect. I do not rush the dog i let them learn at their own pace till I know they know what was shown to them,then go to next step. I spent time with a pro and a good friend who are very good trainers . they taught me how to use the collar but the dog must know its basics first then a collar conditioning program. good luck and have fun. I have titled three more labs since the two above its my hobby. you get what you give, rick
 
thanks- BTW Macallan is a golden

I understand collar conditioning - my setters do wear them, although I am not good at turning them off after a hunt or recharging - they are mostly for the locating function since i can't hear the bell like I used to.

i will see how he does with grade school- personally - I would rather go without one but they do have a purpose

I also have a group to train with periodically where i can draw on experience


thanks for the titles guys- i will check them out
 
Rick,


The other book I was thinking of is:
Building A Retriever, Drills & More by Carol Cassity


It's not a reading book but a compilation of drills.
 
Cute Picture Rick.
When I started with my lab, Pearl, almost 4 years ago now, I used Wolters's books and Robert Milner's Retriever Training. All old school principles but worked well for Pearl and me, as it was my first time training anything other than rabbit chasing beagles. I also have Carol Cassity's Building a Retriever, Drills and More...As mentioned, a great guide book to drills and set up. I've never force fetched or E-collared, all simple praise and never food based.
All the best.
 
After many years training, testing and hunting several Labs, my newest pup was trained using Bill Hillmann's program. It has been a great deal of fun and Pounce has thrived.

If you would like to "see" what it is all about, Hillmann over the last few years has "published" a blog that now has over 100 FREE videos to watch.

Look them over, see for yourself how fascinating his approach is (search the archives).

http://billhillmann.net/blog/

That is Pounce in my Avatar (a few weeks after coming home and already into "the program").
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