Game Dog: The Hunter's Retriever for Upland Birds and Waterfowl - A Concise New Training Method

This is the second book I have purchased from this author, well written and easy to understand. The methods used are very effective.

I have used this book to train several top waterfowl labrador retrievers over the years. The technique is easy and really works. I swear by it. Bought this copy for my daughter to help here train her new pup.

First let me say, I'm a first time dog trainer and I'm not teaching my dog(Australian Shepard Lab mix) to hunt birds necessarily, but using as obedience training tool. I was so impressed with the character and demeanor of my brother in law's Black Lab, and he said he used "Water Dog", so I figured, that since this was the next book in the series(and my dog is training to hunt truffles), why not give it a try?My dog is now about 4 months old and he does pretty well at the following (on whistle, voice or hand signals): sit and stay , come, walk on a leash, fetch(no signals); he is progressing nicely.After I'm sure he is solid in the aforementioned commands, I'll use some of the techniques in this book to teach him to search and mark(for truffles).

Sensible and easy method that works.

Really nice book I love how Richard Wolters philosophy DOES NOT incorporate E-Collar training he uses love as a reward and I found my Golden Retriever really does well on this program. I also bought the DVD version of this book to have visual cues and with the two together my dog is coming along in leaps and bounds we have already been upland hunting 6 times this season (first outing was 9 1/2 months old now he's almost 12 months old)and he's pretty good at quartering the field and hunting up birds. He really shines on the waterfowl work and loves water. Some people knock Richard Wolters but I personally can vouch that his system works. I also recommend reading Water Dog and Family Dog there is some crossing of info between books but they are all worthy of a read.

This is a great book! Richard A. Wolters wrote this book in 1983 and many would probly agree that it was written well before its time. There is an old saying with dog trainers "the proof is in the product" and before its time or not alot of what he said has been proven true. Bottem line is that this book delivers, it is an easy step by step for everything from picking your puppy to the first hunt and beyond that. The end result is a great dog that lives, interacts and is part of the family that you can take in the field and not worry about being let down by. I am recomending this book for everyone from the first time lab owner who is tired of his friends dog getting his birds to the hunter who is on his 10th bird dog, everyone will learn somthing! As a dog trainer I am reading the book for my 2nd time and picking up new things that I missed the first go around. 5 stars!!!DONT THINK BUY IT NOW!

I have used this book to train two different labrador retrievers. Mr Woltors is just about spot on with the timing of the the training. My dogs have seemed to progress just as he describes. If you want a hunting dog you can be proud of, it is the way to go. Let's put it this way, because of my dogs I have been invited to hunt at some nice clubs, including having other club members leaving their dogs home. Blow the whistle and the dog stops, yes right on top of a running bird. It is amazing to see and it works. I can assure you if you will follow the process, you too will achieve these results. I am in no way benefiting from this review, just giving you my honest feedback, from experience! Shock collars on a labrador or golden are for lazy people who are not willing to put in the time to socialize their dog. Good luck.

Great retriever training book! I use this book as my training bible, and Richard Wolters is the Einstein of dog trainers, and Billy will back me up on that! Even if you don't want to train a dog to hunt, it would be a great read, as his ideas and methods are great for general obedience on teaching a dog to sit, stay, come, and general obedience and socialization. You will be able to teach your dog to be great retriever and upland dog. I've trained 3 Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, using this book, and none better that I've ever read!

very good book used all the tips to train my lab pup, dog turned out excellent, retrieves ducks all day and hunts cover as good as any springer. i put a lot of this down to good advice in this book.

This is a book you need to read before you get a 49 day old puppy not after. Not much advice for training regiments for older puppies (by older I mean older than 20 weeks) . For example a quote on training older puppies " He is going to have to get to the point we have Tar at (the twenty week point) before he can proceed. It might take a baseball bat to get the get the dogs attention , and miles of patience" ("He" being the reader and "Tar"being his pup) . Well thanks for those words of wisdom.........

Good manual for training exercises. He trains a dog predisposed for game work, and praises how good the dog is. It would be interesting to see how he would have worked with problem dogs or a dog less natural will to do the work. Pair this with some good training theory and you will be good for the field.

Made you realize how simple & easy basic dog obedience is. For hunting or for home buy this book!

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