[CDaniel]

I am an avid (ok...sickly obsessive) waterfowl hunter and have had a few labs over the last 15 years or so. I've always done my own training and had pretty mediocre results. Of course, I've done what lots of waterfowlers who want a good meat dog have done... I picked up a copy of Walter's "Waterdog". Later a friend loaned me the Wildrose Training DVD. I've also recently acquired the Dobbs book. Anyhow, over the last few years I've had a growing desire to learn how to become a trainer. Don't get me wrong, I have NO desire to quit the day job to try to make a living at training. But...I would like to develop the skills to become a solid trainer for my own dogs and maybe work with 1 or 2 dogs throughout the year for other hunters. Well, enough with the qualifiers. My questions are these:

1. Is there one training DVD set that includes detailed OB, CC, FF and handling instructions that is widely thought of as the best for training start to finish? Recommendations please.

2. Is it very common for a pro trainer or a good amateur trainer to allow someone to serve as an apprentice/assistant? If so, would anyone recommend someone in west-central Missouri or east-central KS that I might contact?

Thanks in advance...and this site is great!

Chris

 

[Matt McKenzie]

1. Some of the best resources in my opinion are:

The Lardy "Total Retriever" series of books and videos. The videos are a bit pricey, but the books are great references for the money.

Evan Graham's "Smartworks" series. The books are great, but I haven't seen the videos. Has the added advantage of access to the author on these forums if you have questions.

The "Fowl Dawgs" videos. You can buy all three in a package deal and this might be the best value out there. Covers basics through transition.

The Farmer/Aycock "Basics" video. Lots of good stuff on one disk. A great value.

All of these follow a very similar process and are very different from the systems you have used in the past. If you bought the books from the first two and the videos from the second two, you would have a pretty good start on a basic education in modern collar programs without spending too much money. Then get with a club or training group that has advanced handler/trainers to learn from or go day train with a good pro. If you have "dog sense" and talent, you'll advace very quickly.

2. There are several good FT and HT pros within a drive of KC. I would see if I could go throw birds for one of them. Leave your dogs at home, go throw birds and try to learn as much as possible. I suspect that there are good HT (AKC and HRC) clubs in your area as well. Join the a club (or several), find out who's who in the zoo, and see if you can get in a GOOD training group.

 

[Bruce MacPherson]

To the second part of your question. Pros like help. If you don't mind throwing lots of birds, watering and feeding dogs, getting hollered at when you don't exactly get the instructions right, you can learn a ton. Call those Pros in your area be up front about what you are trying to accomplish and I'm sure someone will take you up on it.

 

[Don Smith]

OMG! Somehow, you've managed to get 3 of the worst resources out there (in my opinion, of course). Hookset has given you the exact resources that I would have listed. I might also suggest D.L. Walters' (not Wolters) book, Training Retrievers to Handle. If this is a pup that you're training, I'd also suggest Jackie Mertens' Sound Beginnings DVD.

Bruce has also provided great advice. Hook up with a good pro, if possible.

It would also be helpful for you to join one or more local retriever clubs.

 

[CDaniel]

Hookset, thank you very much for the advice! I couldn’t have hoped for a more complete response. I think I’ll do exactly what you have suggested with regard to picking up the training materials that you suggest. Also, thanks again (and to Bruce also) for the advice on finding a FT or HT pro to assist. Although, I have been thinking about doing just that for several months. I guess I needed some confirmation that it wasn’t odd to call a pro to ask if you could volunteer to help toss bumpers, etc. but it sounds like they’d welcome the help, so I’m doing it. Heck, I’ll clean dog doo if that’s what’s asked of me. I just want to learn how to make training a whole lot less painful (for me and the dog). Now, as far as me having “dog sense” or talent, I suspect Remi (if she could talk) would say “no, this guy has neither”. She still likes me anyway though.

Don, your response cracked me up. I was afraid that someone would get on me about my choice of materials. By the way, I did not intend to confuse the author Wolters and Walters. Anyway, sounds like it’s unanimous that I need an upgrade in training materials.

 

[TXduckdog]

"The Farmer/Aycock "Basics" video. Lots of good stuff on one disk. A great value."


That would be 2 disks: 'Foundations' and 'Foundations of Handling'.


Outstanding.

 

[Brent Keever]

I have the Smart Work books and DVDs great collection and very easy to understand Evan could have called them dog training for dummies that would be me. I also own Jackies dvd. Good luck.

 

[Stan b]

To the second part of your question. Pros like help. If you don't mind throwing lots of birds, watering and feeding dogs, getting hollered at when you don't exactly get the instructions right, you can learn a ton. Call those Pros in your area be up front about what you are trying to accomplish and I'm sure someone will take you up on it.

"DITTO!!!"

 

[TIM DOANE]

I allways recomend the fowl dawgs series to novice trainers. It is great material presented in a way that anyone can follow it.

Getting involved in your local retriever club and getting some experienced help is a big advantage also.

Good luck and have fun.