Best Way to Train Your Gun Dog: The Delmar Smith Method (Hardcover)

by Bill Tarrant (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Crown (June 12, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679507507
• ISBN-13: 978-0679507505
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #119,796 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First-rate, a classic, the "bible" of bird dog training., October 10, 1997

By	[e-mail] (Texas) - See all my reviews

Bill Tarrant followed Delmar Smith around the world for years studying his dog training methods before writing this book. As the Gun Dog Editor for Field and Stream, and as a man who had interviewed every sporting dog trainer in America, Tarrant knew Smith to be the the best dog trainer alive. Tarrant was amazed at Smith's gentle and country-wise methods that worked without hitting, striking or kicking the dog, or in any other way hurting him or dampening the dog's enthusiasm. Smith's comtemporaries in the field of bird dog training were known for their common use of brute force to train dogs. Delmar Smith says of his inhumane peers, "People who've gotta use those things don't have no fertilizer in their plot. They're stunted." Tarrant goes on to say, "And that's why Delmar's the best friend a dog ever had. He's proven a humane trainer can win on a sometimes inhumane circuit. ... Delmar figures God put dogs here to work--and man! Getting them to work together is Delmar's genius." The many reprintings of this book since it's original appearance in 1977 proves Tarrant's assessment of Smith is correct: "In every game there's a man who knows it all. And in every game there's a man who tells all he knows. How rare to find both men one and the same. We do in Delmar." Multitudes of dog owners use this book as their "bible." Copies of the book that are old, page worn and falling apart from constant use, are often presented to Delmar for his autograph at his kennels in Edmond, Oklahoma, or in his travels around the Country. The book is delightful, full of humor and insight into Delmar Smith, a genuine character and great lover of animals; and a man of incalculable wisdom about the natural world. A must read for all bird dog owners, and for anyone who wants to know more about a dog's natural ability to search and find, and to work at complex tasks with a human partner.

50 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book ever written on gin dog training bar none, July 24, 1998

By A Customer

I am professional dog trainer and I use this book like a minister uses a Bible. I keep one with me at all times and have them available for my customers to buy and even offer it for sale through amazon.com on my Web Site. I have read almost every book on dog training and Delmar Smith and Bill Tarrant make more sense than anyone, about the right way to train a gun dog. Bill Tarrant does an excellent job of writing and makes the information easy to understand and apply. I use the principals taught in this book everyday in my training program. If you want to train a gun dog or keep an already trained on sharp this is THE book to buy. Bill offers Delmar's training methods in a way anyone can understand and apply. The thing I like the most is I agree almost everything In this book. It takes a common sense approach to dog training and that's all dog training really is. Using common sense to teach a dog what you want. Delmar's three principals are ones I live by. To train a d! og you need three things; Point of contact, association, and repetition. The first time I read that I realized Delmar Smith had the answer of how to effectively train any gun dog. I own all of Bill Tarrant's books, but this is one I read over and over and the one I recommend without reservation.

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Way to Train Your Gun Dog, December 24, 1999

By	"shotgundrg" (Menifee, CA) - See all my reviews

Since getting a GSP puppy I have read several training books. This one was recommended by the breeder I bought the dog from. It is by far the best book I have read yet. It is written so an average joe can understand it. I highly recomend it if you are trying to train a gun dog. Bill Tarrant has a way with words that makes you want to keep reading. And the photos that go with the writting leave no doubt about what should be done.