[Guest]

I'm starting on training my second pup and was just leafing through my books.

I have the Wolters books, James Lamb Free, and James Spenser's Training Your Retriever for Marshes and Meadows.

I also have the Tritronics DVD's but haven't watched them yet.

Are there any other "must have" books or videos out there?

If you had to pick one, what would it be?

Thanks,
Kirk

 

[greta]

What I would do is follow a "prescribed" training method. i tried to train my current dog - who is now two - using bits and pieces. She is doing real well, but we have some holes. Next time, I am going to follow the "Smart...." series by Evan Graham. they are very user friendly, and explains what to do when and when to move on. Very easy for the amatuer. So, you can see what I am recommending.

 

[Uncle Bill]

I'm starting on training my second pup and was just leafing through my books.

I have the Wolters books, James Lamb Free, and James Spenser's Training Your Retriever for Marshes and Meadows.

I also have the Tritronics DVD's but haven't watched them yet.

Are there any other "must have" books or videos out there?

If you had to pick one, what would it be?

Thanks,
Kirk

Sorry to inform you, but most on here would say...none of the above.

Jackie Mertens has a good video for pups. Cherylon Loveland and her co-author have an excellant puppy training book.

The series of manuals authored by Evan Graham, and those of Mike Lardy are the ones most of us now suggest for a good planned training program.

And my personal favorite is the "Ten Minute Retriever" by John and Amy Dahl.

Both Amy and Evan frequent this BB, so you have an added bonus of being able to get additional info to your questions. Beyond that, both have always been gracious enough to answer PM's as well.

Out of curiosity, Kirk, how was your experience using those books with your first pup? Not saying they are totally useless. But Wolters and Free are regarded more as classics, rather than teaching present day training methods. It's been a while since I've read Spenser's books, but the one that gets used the most is his "Retriever Training Tests".

Good luck with your youngun.

UB

 

[caglatz]

If I can second that for the Dahls' book "Ten Minute Retriever" and for Evan Graham's "Smartwork/SmartFetch" series -- I think both are absolutely great. I can't wait to get Evan G's new DVD. I don't have any experience with Mike Lardy's works but I hear those are very good also. I would recommend choosing one of the above plans and sticking with it. --- I too am ashamed to admit I have the Wolter's series - Waterdog and Game Dog, but I've found they weren't as comprehensive or as detailed as I wanted. In fact I was warned about his teachings regarding "Steadiness" at too early of an age can in fact remove the desire from a pup.

 

[ducksoup]

Totally agree with choice of Jackie Merten's DVD for pups; Mike Lardy series of DVDs and books; as well as Evan Graham's Smart series -- can't go wrong with any of them -- and Lardy and Graham are great "programs" as well as compatible

 

[Guest]

To answer your question, Uncle Bill, I didn't use the Wolter's or James Lamb Free books very much.

I used the Spenser book primarily, and actually relied on advice from Chris and some of the regulars here more than anything.
And my first dog is far from perfect. He's a good "meat dog" and that was good enough for me at the time. This time around though, I'd like to get more in depth and do a better job.

Thanks for all of the advice guys, I'm planning on starting out with the "10 Minute Retriever" and Smart series for starters.

Kirk

 

[Bob Gutermuth]

I have the Rex Carr , Dave Rorem videos, which I highly reccommend, along with the Lardy set. I have Evan's books but have not gotten around to getting his DVDs yet. I also have the Rorem video on handling which I think is an essential for those who run either H/Ts or field trials. Spencer is a good book for getting started,his Retriever Training Tests is a must read, as is D.L. Walters book Training Retrievers to Handle.

R A Wolters and the stuff from Tri-Tronics are good for starting a fire or if you run out of Charmin

 

[Terry Britton]

Totally agree with choice of Jackie Merten's DVD for pups; Mike Lardy series of DVDs and books; as well as Evan Graham's Smart series -- can't go wrong with any of them -- and Lardy and Graham are great "programs" as well as compatible

Graham's Smart series books helped me to understand the Lardy videos.

 

[Peake]

I wouldn't say a "must have" but definately a "nice to have" is "The Working Retrievers" by Tom Quinn! My two staple books are as mentioned already "The Ten Minute Retriever" - Dahl followed by "Training Retrievers to Handle" - Walters.
Peake
________
Blowjob videos

 

[Jesse Higgins]

Graham's Smart series books helped me to understand the Lardy videos.

Well said. 8)

 

[Buzz]

Totally agree with choice of Jackie Merten's DVD for pups; Mike Lardy series of DVDs and books; as well as Evan Graham's Smart series -- can't go wrong with any of them -- and Lardy and Graham are great "programs" as well as compatible

Graham's Smart series books helped me to understand the Lardy videos.

Just think what the Lardy Articles would have done for you. The articles are WAY more complete than what gets covered in the videos. Lardy's stuff doesn't seem that great for people that don't like to read much, but I love the bound articles - being a voracious reader...

 

[Aussie]

being a voracious reader...

Hey Buzz, It is going to be over 100F again today, so I have started to read a friend's loan book - Excel-erated Learning by Pamela J Reid. Bit old I suppose, first published 1996. Very interesting read so far. For example, clamming is mentioned, but described as Learned helplessness. Past experiments are mentioned, on "clamming" before the advent of more humane testing. I am finding the book very fair in describing what and why methods "work".

I looked up the reviews on Amazon (a book ordering site) and many postitive trainers did not enjoy the inclusion on Avoidance training.

Last week I even read shaping success, a book on a high level agility competitor. Was not teribly impressed.

 

[Sabireley]

Back issues of Retrievers Online are great also. The articles also go very well with the Lardy videos and explain the training concepts in much more detail. I have photocopied my favorites and bound them together by subject. Dennis ought to put together a book with all of the articles indexed and catagorized.

 

[MaLabhuntr]

American Hunting Dog Clubs orange book training your sporting dog, it has by far the most descriptive and easiest FF program I have seen to date very detailed and will aid the vets or someone just starting out. Not a retriever only manual so there are sections on quartering, pointing dog stuff, etc.

 

[Devlin]

I started my FBL at 10 weeks with Wolters' "Family Dog" and "Game Dog" (which I found to not be mutually exclusive.) His methods only took us so far, then I needed something more advanced and comprehensive. Evan Graham's series, and also the Mike Lardy methods, are terrific...I did find Graham's materials easier to follow through the progression of drills, including FF. Although I'm sure it's a personal thing for everyone, I would highly recommend Graham's complete "Smart..." series.

 

[Illinois Bob]

20 years ago I trained my dog with Wolters "Gun Dog".Alots changed since then.It was Ok for just a basic hunting dog.But there are so many better things out there now.To update myself I bought Retrievers from the Inside Out,Butch Goodwin and thought that was pretty good and got the Tri-Tronix book,Magazines like Gun Dog and anything I can find off the internet( like RTF).Last weekend I just got the Mike Lardy set.I watched all 5 hours in the first day.It was great.It was humbling.I'm pretty ignorant now.I wasn't last week.That's better for my dog.

 

[Chris Atkinson]

Kirk

You may want to keep that Spencer book out for FF! I just got done reading and rereading that chapter over the past few weeks!


If you intend to use a collar I would suggest avoiding the tt book and getting Rick stawski's DVD along with the Lardy materials.

Shawn Stahl(yeah, the world champ goose caller) tells me he's got stawski fowl dawgs II roughed out. I expect it will be quite nice.

So many folks praise evan's books that they've got to be good.

Shannon Nardi of waterdog has some real talent at producing some sweet stuff, so keep an eye out for her upcoming DVD with farmer and aycock.

Kirk, I am travelling this week, but will call you at the office to catch up.

Good to see you back at it! I am training a young dog now myself and I love it! For me, young dog training is some of the best therapy going!

Where are the puppy pics?

 

[Chris Atkinson]

Kirk

You may want to keep that Spencer book out for FF! I just got done reading and rereading that chapter over the past few weeks!

It sure sounds like the Ten Minute Retriever book by the Dahls is worth getting. I think I'll get myself a copy as well!


If you intend to use a collar I would suggest avoiding the tt book and getting Rick stawski's DVD along with the Lardy materials.

Shawn Stahl(yeah, the world champ goose caller) tells me he's got stawski fowl dawgs II roughed out. I expect it will be quite nice.

So many folks praise evan's books that they've got to be good.

Shannon Nardi of waterdog has some real talent at producing some sweet stuff, so keep an eye out for her upcoming DVD with farmer and aycock.

Kirk, I am travelling this week, but will call you at the office to catch up.

Good to see you back at it! I am training a young dog now myself and I love it! For me, young dog training is some of the best therapy going!

Where are the puppy pics?

 

[Guest]

Thanks guys

Thanks for all of the advice.

I have the Smart series on order, along with the 10 Minute Retriever book. I'll look for the one that Chris reccommmended too.

Thanks again for all of the help.

Kirk