Force-Free Gundog Training: The Fundamentals for Success

by Jo Laurens

FORCE-FREE GUNDOG THE FUNDAMENTALS FOR SUCCESS will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to begin training a working gundog using modern , force-free , and effective methods . This book includes discussion of the fundamental principles behind successful force-free gundog training. Illustrated step-by-step instructions show you, in detail, how to train your RETRIEVER , SPANIEL or HPR without the use of fear, force or pain. BESTSELLING author of Total Recall, Pippa Mattinson
'Jo Laurens is a talented writer and her book is much needed. It dispels many myths about the pros and cons of force-free dog training and deserves a space on every gundog owner’s bookshelf.’
Over 400 pages of detailed instruction and illustrations . Countless tips enabling you to avoid common training problems . Organised in 3 sections and 30 chapters to help you structure your training. EXERCISES COVERED IN DETAIL ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES DISCUSSED Foreword by Pippa Mattinson - Bestselling author of Total Recall . Pippa is the founder of The Gundog Club, Britain’s national graded training scheme for gundogs. Cover photo by Craig Koshyk - Photographer and author of Pointing Dogs, Volume The Continentals Craig is a photographer, writer, educator and hunter. His books, photographs and writing are available at craigkoshykphoto.ca

Genres: Dogs

436 pages, Paperback

Published September 10, 2019

Reviews

[Anneke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had spaniels in the past but never done any gundog training, so was a complete newbie to this area. I will only use force free, or positive reinforcement methods; my dog is part of the family and will get treated with the utmost respect. Plus, science says it's the way to go, so why wouldn't you?

This book is thorough, includes diagrams, a sense of humour and is easy to understand. Whatever the breed of your dog, I believe this book will help you to train a responsive, obedient and happy companion.

Thanks Jo

[ThDogs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I refer to this book as my bible for gundog training, obedience training and understanding positive method training. This book is an absolute well of information and thoughtful nuance understanding for the training environments the trainer may be in.

The training within is presented in an easy to understand layman's format while still combining all the technical details to develop a high quality sport or working gundog. It thoroughly covers the pros and cons of positive reinforcement methodologies and how to mitigate the cons. Similarly it covers the pros and cons of positive punishment methodologies and how to watch out for fall out. An entire section is gracefully dedicated to navigating mixed-method environments and how to collect information, train in a fashion best suited to you without "making waves". The majority of the book takes you through all the skills to develop a well rounded hunting, retrieving, pointing or flushing dog. Useful insights will highlight when a skill being taught needs to be tailored differently or to different criteria on the type of gundog you have.

I thoroughly look forward to any sequels on this book. Until then, there is the Hold the Line podcast.

[John Poulain · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book about dog training, I got over 100 pages in before the author described their idea of a perfect gundog as one that would either be heeling or quartering for game 100% of the time and whilst that's not what I wanted for my pet I thought I'd keep reading to add I'm what would be useful. I've found the heelwork and remote sit drills to be useful and like the force free philosophy.

There are some Typos (missing a p for revention confused me to no end) and I find it odd that some of the fundamentals need to be covered in a different order to which they are printed.

The book is fundamental and has a variety of passages that state it can't be easily written pr needs to be taught but it is not basic and seems designed with working competition and shooting gundog in mind rather than pet gundogs who might work on occasion.

[Sally Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing book. Wish I had read this before any other training books.