Best book for amatuer dog training

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angmazz78

Best book for amatuer dog training

Post by angmazz78 » Sat Mar 22, 2008 7:25 pm

I am looking for a book or instructional dvd to help me train a GSp puppy to be an uplandd bird dog. I started flipping through Speed Train Your Own Bird Dog by Larry Mueller at Barnes and Noble the other night and it seemed really informative. Any suggestions on other good books that have proven to be worhtwhile? Thanks for the help and I apologize if this is a repeat post

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RoundRiver Setters
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Post by RoundRiver Setters » Sat Mar 22, 2008 7:47 pm

Angmazz I would take a look at Delmar Smiths The Best Way To Train Your Gun Dog. It is a good book.......Scott
"To be good, a bird dog must give you goose pimples when he's working a bird." 'George Bird Evans'
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3Britts
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Post by 3Britts » Mon Mar 24, 2008 8:46 am

You might want to try Dave Walker's dvds or book. His methods worked on my Brittanys and my friends GSP. They also helped with a few Labs that I know.

www.davewalkerdogs.com

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ohiohuntinweim
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Post by ohiohuntinweim » Mon Mar 24, 2008 1:21 pm

DVD's-I like the Perfect Start/Perfect Finish

Book-Paul Long's book is pretty good.
Jeremy

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4dbird

Post by 4dbird » Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:58 pm

I've read about a half a dozen of them. Delmar Smith, Bob Wehle, Dave Walker, DD Puppy Handbook. While all are similar, there are subtle differences in their methods. The spin move in Walker's book has proven to be the best attention getter for my GSP. Wehle's whoa method, and Smith's funtiming and overall attitude have made me glad I read them as well. I wouldn't just recommend one.

Lab Man

Post by Lab Man » Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:51 am

Dave Walker's "The Bird Training Manuel is a very good book. "The Best Way to Train your Bird Dog" The Delmar Smith Method. I have both books in stock if you need them. You can see them at www.coonriverkennels.com

TrueBlu Shorthairs

Post by TrueBlu Shorthairs » Wed Mar 26, 2008 1:37 pm

Best training book is hands on experience with dogs. I'd suggest spending the time to find a good trainer who will allow you to watch, help, pay for lessons, help, and learn. All the books in the world won't make you a dog trainer, training dogs will. A couple of hours with a trainer should be about the same as reading several volumes imho.

Still, read Smith/Tarrant, Wehle, Roebuck, Crangle, Long, get videos by Ferrell Miller, Smith, Nahorn, and Hann.

angmazz78

Post by angmazz78 » Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:38 am

Ive heard that its a bad idea to take advice from one and some from another book video etc. Instead it was my impression to go with one method you were comfortable with and stick to it. Any merit to that?

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Post by Equismith » Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:17 am

Ive heard that its a bad idea to take advice from one and some from another book video etc. Instead it was my impression to go with one method you were comfortable with and stick to it. Any merit to that?
There's more than one way to skin a cat, so to speak. If you have exposure to several methods you can take something from each and make it work for your dog and you.

I have read most of Delmar Smith's way from the Bill Turrant book. I also got Gun Dogs by John R. Faulk. It has good simple methods espically for beginners, which I certainly am.

It's kinda like taking your car to a general mechanic for specific A/C repairs. Few are good at everything. Several are specialists at specifics. Use the method that works best for you and your dog and the specific problem/desired goal. It may take several methods. Having a tool box with many different tools is always best.

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utahmomof4
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Post by utahmomof4 » Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:21 am

I just picked up "Best Way to Train Your Gun Dog" and "Tarrant Trains Gun Dogs" by Bill Tarrant, as well as "Training Pointing Dogs" by Paul Long at the library yesterday. I read the sections dealing with pups up to a year in "Training Pointing Dogs" and the first 3 chapters of "Best Way to Train." So far. Tarrant is definitely an entertaining read, and I like the Delmar philosophy. Anyway, so far so good. :)
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Post by K.K. » Fri Apr 04, 2008 12:59 pm

The Navhda "Green Book" is another valuable resouce.
I've read George Bird Evans, Delmar Smith, Paul Long, and Richard Wolters. All have good things in their books and will teach you something.
I do feel however that Delmar Smith and Paul Long are more geared towards hunters with 3 or more dogs and alot of acreage, as some of their techniques require the above mentioned items.
The Green Book, George Bird Evans (Troubles with Bird Dogs) and Richard Wolters (Gun Dog) are geared towards the one dog hunter whose pup will be living in the house as a family member, as well as hunting.

angmazz78

Post by angmazz78 » Fri Apr 04, 2008 5:09 pm

Thats me exactly! Thanks for the tip KK. I do have plenty of acerace though I live outside a wildlife management area. IYO do you think its worth it for me to check out the first set of books you mentioned as well?

K.K.

Post by K.K. » Fri Apr 04, 2008 7:27 pm

They all have something to offer and you will find re-occuring themes in them.
The Green Book is where I started years ago with my GSP, which was my 1st bird dog. You can read through it and decide what you need for your style of hunting and what you don't. Reading the other books will give you additional insight and you may find a way of training for a particular skill that suits you better in one book or the other.

smittysmith777
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Post by smittysmith777 » Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:27 pm

how about gun dog by RICHARD WOLTERS

angmazz78

Post by angmazz78 » Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:13 pm

About the Wolters book. . .

I mentioned that in my first post and nobody else said anything about it. I think from what I have read at least that it is a pretty good resource and I find it written in an entertaining way on top of it all. Any other opinions on this one?

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Post by smittysmith777 » Thu Apr 10, 2008 5:13 pm

It works well with a young pup

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