Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 36
 Great Read June 4, 2009
M. witmer
I had been told that this is the "Bible" of dog training. The people who told me this are correct. Plain spoken, easy to understand instructions that will be a great help when I get my new puppy on Saturday.
Excellet May 12, 2009
Reid C. Bailey (Amarillo, TX)
I just got my dog and now i'm fully prepared to train her. This book is old, but its funny and very practical.
 There are SO many better retriever training books! Come on, let's May 5, 2009
Deena M. Morando (Sandy, OR USA)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
admit it: since this book was written in 1964, many talented trainers have put out some awesome retriever training books & DVD's. This one belongs in the past. The problem is, I do agree with some of what Wolters writes. But when I disagree, and it is OFTEN, it is about important stuff. Now, I am not an all-positive, never-correct trainer. But Wolters' attitude seems to be to assume the dog "knows better". His approach is just awful, and for the life of me I don't know why it still gets recommended so much. I have been told by field people with more time in dogs than I have that this book has ruined more nice dogs than any other.
But don't take my word for it: talk to some serious retriever/hunt test/field trial people, and ask what THEY think of it. Look online for a list to join, a bulletin board, etc., and ask. I mean really, even with "classics" in any given subject, a book nearly 50 years old has GOT to have some shortcomings. No matter what the subject, If we haven't learned any more about it in 45 years, then nobody has been doing anything in that field. Knowledge always grows, expands, except in the dark recesses of Wolters' books. In 1964, the field of animal behavior and learning theory was just getting it's chops. And YES, we have learned a TON since then about how dogs learn and the best ways to teach them.
If you want to educate your retriever AND build a trusting relationship, PLEASE, look at some other options:
10 Minute Retriever by Amy Dahl
Hey Pup Fetch It Up (an older book, but really good) by Bill Tarrant
Mike Lardy's stuff--all of it!
Keep looking!
Solid concepts May 1, 2009
R. Hoover (Hayward, CA)
Folks looking for advice on training a retiever will find this book very informative. It was written quite a while ago but remains valid in it's concepts & priciples. The photos are dated but accomplish their goal.
The author advocates training at a young age, backs up his thoughts as to why & provides proof as to why he is correct with expamles of his success.
The lessons are clear & explanations of what is trying to be accomplished with each step are provided. This book shows you how to build a strong foundation for your retriever with explanation of how to progress into more advanced training.
This is not a thick text (177 pages)& it reads very easily which is a good thing. You will reread it many, many times as you & your dog progress. You will be amazed as to how rapidly that progression occurs. It's not magic, it's patience, persistence & hard work ... It just seems like magic.
I really like this book & you don't need to be a hunter to benefit from it's lessons.
Awsome book January 31, 2009
Eric Sullivan
Water Dog is a great retriever training book. It's short and too the point. Not only does Richard Wolters know how to train retrievers, he know's how to put out the information to make training easy.
I would recommend this book to anybody who want's a good duck and goose hunting retriever.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 36
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