Customer Reviews

Handling Your Own Dog for Show, Obedience, and Field Trials

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Although I have been involved with show dogs, one way or another, for many years, I still found this book incredibly helpful. The authoress has wonderful tips for dog show people from rank beginners to the more advanced. I used her tips to help with both my new Papillon show puppy (she even shows a Papillon in the book!), and my finished Champion Papillon special along with a lovely Terv special I'm exhibiting. I am working in obedience as well as breed and was able to apply her chapters in obedience as well. A friend borrowed the book for tips from her gundog training sections and reports they helped him overcome some problems with his Golden and Springer (both of whom he also shows in breed and obedience so he liked those chapters as well). Although some things have changed over the years (e.g. the working and herding groups have been split; entry fees have increased; more people show on a "contact" versus a very loose lead in breed, etc...), if one goes to the shows and applies the modern style to her described techniques, it is, overall, the most helpful book on showing I've found. I wish she'd write one on agility, herding and tracking (my other "doggy sports"). I'd buy that as well!

This book truly is a 'must have'. Martha writes with incredible voice as she shares her knowledge. When reading, it seems as if she is sitting right across from you having a chat. Lots of valuable insight!

I had a first-edition of this book when it first came out, which unfortunately went to Alaska with the people I "loaned" it to. I was so glad to find it on Amazon! This is a classic. Although some of the obedience content is now dated, the author writes with such authority and humor that it's hard to criticize too harshly. She laces the book with personal anecdotes and isn't afraid to point out her own mistakes, all so the novice handler won't be discouraged. She also provides clear instructional photos of handling errors and how to correct them. The book is jam-packed with information, quite a lot of it still very relevant today, besides being a very good read.

I am one of those fortunate people who trained with [and under] Martha back in the 60's and 70's.She was an excellent trainer of all 3 retriever breeds. Best on Chessies and tough dogs..a little too strong on some of the more easy Goldens and Labs..she ran her own poodle in water trials as well. I met her several times in the show ring and on one of the occasions when I managed to beat her..her comment was "good girl, you did that one right!"

The book is really a complete training manual for any breed for as well as the primary areas of Field, Show and Obedience training [and she did all three and did them well] because it also covers many other aspects not covered in other Sporting dog manuals. Picking a puppy, health concerns, problems in all breeds and how to solve them..this has got to rate as one of the all time best dog training books ever written.If you gotta a dog..you need this book, even if your dog just needs some basic training in order to be as good as he/she can be.

As a longtime golden breeder who showed in all three fields I would give it a thumbs up.It's a classic and a keeper!

Sadly, Martha died of cancer in the late 70's or early 80's but those of us who knew her will never forget that tough ol' gal who loved a challenge and willingly shared her knowledge with the newbies and doggie nuts who came after her.

Martha Thorne was an acknowledged expert in all three of the fields about which she wrote. This wonderful book should be on the shelf of every person who loves, breeds, trains and is owned by dogs. It's well worth the price!

This wonderful book is an excellent resource for the beginning dog fancier who wishes to do it all with their dog. Full of humor, great tips, and excellent reading, this book will entertain even the seasoned professional. A must have for a complete library.