Richard A. Wolters > Quotes

“Picking the breed is important. I have a friend who got a schnauzer for his wife. I told him I thought it was a good trade.”
― Richard A. Wolters, Family Dog: A Simple and Time-Proven Method

“Once the command is learned, stop giving him the praise. The dog must learn to do the command for the sake of the work. Watch a good worker bring in the duck, you will see that the doing is the reward. Save the praise for in front of the fireplace, when the work is over.”
― Richard A. Wolters, Game Dog: The Hunter's Retriever for Upland Birds and Waterfowl

“When he becomes downright ornery and stubborn there’s only one way to straighten him out. Heaven protect me from the SPCA, but I’m going to say it. Thrash the dog. Do it with fervor, but with intelligence. I clip the dog with the folded leash until he cries out once. I talk angrily and make a big fuss while I swing and continue to speak in a firm tone after the outcry to be sure it registered. Then I switch over to a pleasant tone of voice and begin the lessons over again. It’s very important to get the situation back to normal as quickly as possible. Don’t nag. This clean-cut discipline isn’t cruel, as some think. It’s kind. Failure to discipline is crueler.”
― Richard A. Wolters, Family Dog: A Simple and Time-Proven Method