doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com OT - Suggested books on dog training

I have a GSP that's about 6.5 months old. I've only had him for about a month and have begun basic obedience training and am looking for some guidance.

This is my first bird dog and therefore need all the help I can get. Any suggestions on books (or anything else for that matter) would be most appreciated.

Will

I recommend two books. One is Wolter's "Gun Dog" and the other is "Puppies for Dummies" which is not aimed at Bird Dogs but is very good never-the-less.

You won't make it to the AKC Championship event but you will wind up with a useful BirdDog if you follow their directions.

The guys that are real serious and compete a lot generally throw rocks at Wolters. I non-plus them when I quote from "Puppies for Dummies" though.

I am in the process of mis-training my third dog - all French Brittanys.

Best,

Mike

Thanks Mike, I'll check those out.

I should have mentioned in the beginning that I do not plan on competing. I simply want a hunting dog and true companion. I'm not looking to win or even participate in any field trials at this point.

I'd suggest finding a dog training club near you, and joining. I learned so much more by listening to experienced guys, and watching various dogs and handlers. Besides, they often will have access to training grounds and birds. As a result of my joining a club 30 years ago,I've made some life-long friends who share my interests and values

Will,

I wish you all the best with your new pup. I have no real suggestions on thaining GSP's but I will offer you one bit of advise for gundogs in general. I have trained several English Springer Spaniels and the number one thing for a puppy is very simple basic obedience training. You must train the dog to come when called, stay when told to. If you do not accompolish this you will never be able to train the more complex things in the field. There is no time like right now to start. It only takes about 10 - 15 minutes once or twice a day and you will be amazed how fast they will learn the basics.

Bill G.

The "Puppies for Dummies" is an excellent source for an obedience training process and for training a house dog and companion. All my dogs are house pests.

Best,

Mike

Here is one that I'm reading now. You might find this approach better suits you - or not. There is more than one way to skin this cat....(is that a bad pun or what?)
http://www.amazon.com/Positive-Gun-Dogs-...4697&sr=1-1
Brent

I think this may be the best thing for you and your pup!
Join a NAHDA chapter near you,...these guys are in Tenessee,..these are people with hunting dogs that train their own and will help you and teach you how to train your pup,...all nice people from all walks of life that just want a good hunting dog!

This is how I started 20 years ago

https://home.comcast.net/~midsouthnavhda/

Best,

CJ

I have a shoebox of dog training books, but the best one I have found for Versiatile dogs like yours is "The Training and Care of the Versatile Hunting Dog" by Winterhelt and Bailey. It comes in paperback and is published by The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Assoc.[NAVHDA] Cost around $15 or so. I give one with every pup I have sold. It is a short , step by step, training book without much fluff. When I found it, it was just a breath of fresh air. It tells what you do first, what you teach second, etc.

I have used the same book with excellent results "most" of the time. Be sure you get the book and use it as soon as possible. I wish I'd had it before I got the dog.
L'Archer found seven birds on Saturday and Farmstead planted five. I was empressed.