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Game Dog: The Hunter's Retriever for Upland Birds and Waterfowl
Now revised, this clear, step-by-step guide shows how to develop any of the popular retriever breeds from a seven-week-old pup into a finished hunting companion. This updated edition includes the use of new training equipment and new findings about a dog's mental development.
- GenresDogsNonfictionOutdoors
208 pages, Hardcover
First published December 5, 1983
14 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 25, 2022
A long time ago when I was at a big grass field at a park, I saw someone putting a Labrador through it's paces after it had been trained for duck hunting. I was told the person had spent $10,000 to have it trained. I was so impressed how with hand signals and a whistle, the dog could be made to go out, go this way or that way, stop, come in, etc. It was a strong memory for me on one aspect of what a dog is capable of.
Now, even though I don't intend to spend that much time training my dog with those commands, and have no interest in hunting, except maybe with a camera, I still like reading about hunting dogs, and in this case, how to teach your own dog to hunt. I also think people doing 'normal' dog training can learn new things from learning of dog training of different types; hunting, herding, Schutzhund, carting, etc., etc.,.
I have 3 of Wolters books, this one, plus Game Dog and Gun dog. Haven't read those two yet, but still makes me smile and dream when I see the big bold titles on the spine of the book. I will get to them eventually.
I haven't read enough to know if this is the 'best' book to hunt your game dog, but it does seem to really take you through the steps to get there. There are lots of black and white pictures, most that include fuzzy haired Mr. Wolters, along with steps along the path to train the dog. The reason I gave the book 4 stars is because all the pictures are maddingly low resolution, and as I mentioned it, I don't want to give people the idea I consider the book the best in class for what it teaches.
He does tell you right away he doesn't teach field retrievers that have to hold to difficult criteria in judging and that often requires a shock collar to get them there. His training is to teach control on your dogs to support your own upland game and duck hunting. That training is primarily about control to respond to hand signals and whistle to allow them to do blind retrieves sending a dog out on a bird that they didn't see fall. I think this training would be a fun activity to train your dog to move out and around by signals without having to kill a bird.
He talked of the importance of a dog learning to come and gave two examples, one where a dog went after a bird in water and the dog would not turn back after the hunter saw an alligator going after the dog. And another where a dog would not turn back on command so kept going into strong current which took him away. I have not done much training with my dog except in this one area, when I say come, my dog comes. I am not much of an expert other than what I have read, but know to use consistent voice, don't allow the dog to come off-lead unless you have enough training to confirm he will always come, and always make it a good experience, don't call them to be punished.
I found it an interesting discussion on using food and praise in training dogs. The book says:
"A retriever should not wok for food, and it will surprise you when I say that a working retriever should not work for praise once he has learned his job."
"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."
In short, I enjoyed the book and the dreaming of training a dog to be able to do what a good hunting dog does.
Now, even though I don't intend to spend that much time training my dog with those commands, and have no interest in hunting, except maybe with a camera, I still like reading about hunting dogs, and in this case, how to teach your own dog to hunt. I also think people doing 'normal' dog training can learn new things from learning of dog training of different types; hunting, herding, Schutzhund, carting, etc., etc.,.
I have 3 of Wolters books, this one, plus Game Dog and Gun dog. Haven't read those two yet, but still makes me smile and dream when I see the big bold titles on the spine of the book. I will get to them eventually.
I haven't read enough to know if this is the 'best' book to hunt your game dog, but it does seem to really take you through the steps to get there. There are lots of black and white pictures, most that include fuzzy haired Mr. Wolters, along with steps along the path to train the dog. The reason I gave the book 4 stars is because all the pictures are maddingly low resolution, and as I mentioned it, I don't want to give people the idea I consider the book the best in class for what it teaches.
He does tell you right away he doesn't teach field retrievers that have to hold to difficult criteria in judging and that often requires a shock collar to get them there. His training is to teach control on your dogs to support your own upland game and duck hunting. That training is primarily about control to respond to hand signals and whistle to allow them to do blind retrieves sending a dog out on a bird that they didn't see fall. I think this training would be a fun activity to train your dog to move out and around by signals without having to kill a bird.
He talked of the importance of a dog learning to come and gave two examples, one where a dog went after a bird in water and the dog would not turn back after the hunter saw an alligator going after the dog. And another where a dog would not turn back on command so kept going into strong current which took him away. I have not done much training with my dog except in this one area, when I say come, my dog comes. I am not much of an expert other than what I have read, but know to use consistent voice, don't allow the dog to come off-lead unless you have enough training to confirm he will always come, and always make it a good experience, don't call them to be punished.
I found it an interesting discussion on using food and praise in training dogs. The book says:
"A retriever should not wok for food, and it will surprise you when I say that a working retriever should not work for praise once he has learned his job."
"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."
In short, I enjoyed the book and the dreaming of training a dog to be able to do what a good hunting dog does.
May 13, 2022
I picked this book up for the Choosing a Pup chapter. My other half reads and will do the field training bit. But I was pulled in by the information on behavior, psychology, and brain development:
Socializing - the key to learning. Early training. Bonding. I loved learning about this stuff when our older dog was starting out, and it's just as good giving it another go 'round, welcoming a new pup. The science of mental development fascinates me in dogs as it does in humans.
"A young brain. Be it a child's or a dog's, is like a sponge ready and willing to soak up all the information it can get."
"A dog that learns to learn will go on learning the rest of his life."
Pupster has been home with us over a month now. He's gone almost everywhere I've gone.
Learning, learning, learning.
His first job has been learning to be a good household and family member, and he's acing it. He has my heart, and behaviors indicate that the feeling is mutual.
I recommend reading about puppy brain development to anyone getting a dog! Just like with children, the brain is developing fast and there are windows of opportunity while connections and associations are being made.
Loads of early positive experiences will be beneficial for life.
Socializing - the key to learning. Early training. Bonding. I loved learning about this stuff when our older dog was starting out, and it's just as good giving it another go 'round, welcoming a new pup. The science of mental development fascinates me in dogs as it does in humans.
"A young brain. Be it a child's or a dog's, is like a sponge ready and willing to soak up all the information it can get."
"A dog that learns to learn will go on learning the rest of his life."
Pupster has been home with us over a month now. He's gone almost everywhere I've gone.
Learning, learning, learning.
His first job has been learning to be a good household and family member, and he's acing it. He has my heart, and behaviors indicate that the feeling is mutual.
I recommend reading about puppy brain development to anyone getting a dog! Just like with children, the brain is developing fast and there are windows of opportunity while connections and associations are being made.
Loads of early positive experiences will be beneficial for life.
December 20, 2019
It's a bit dated, but I like the technique Wolters uses for his training. He starts the pups young when they're enthusiastic about everything and Tom-Sawyers them into learning to do just about anything you want them to.
April 11, 2022
Solid dog training methodology, some sexism.
February 7, 2023
Book got a little dry reading through the exercises. Will be better to refer to later when implementing them.
June 4, 2015
In the novel Gun Dog IT explains what you need to know for training your duck dog and upland dog. I like this book because it gives instructions on how to train your gundog and upland dog. I do not like this book because it is hard to follow. I think it's hard to follow because it jumps around to different subjects. In other words is does not give the instructions in order.It was very descriptive on some instructions but in others, not so much.
August 11, 2021
This book was exactly what I was looking for. It is a well laid out timeline of how to train a dog for retrieving and hunting waterfowl and upland birds. The book is illustrated with well captioned pictures and is written in a very readable and understandable way.
On second reading, and while training my new lab puppy, I've discovered this book is invaluable. My pup may disagreed since she ate the cover and gnawed a few pages.
On second reading, and while training my new lab puppy, I've discovered this book is invaluable. My pup may disagreed since she ate the cover and gnawed a few pages.
August 9, 2018
Good book on training retrievers for hunting. Definitely living in a different world than when this book was written, it is highly suggested to check out your own states regulations on training retrievers while following as best you can with this book.
June 30, 2009
Best book you ever read for training a hunting dog. I read it and had never trained a dog before and have a champion hunter by following this book.
July 6, 2016
A very popular book of its time.
Want to read
January 30, 2018.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews