Retrieve: A New Gentle Approach to Retriever Training [Hardcover]

Bill Medcalf (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1990

From picking a pup, to "Master Hunter." This book covers retrieving, handling, obedience, quartering, trailing wounded game, sample training tests, and a Special section with solutions to common problems that occur in training. TABLE OF CONTENTS: EQUIPMENT LIST THE HUNTER PICKING A PUP DESIRE HOUSE BREAKING YARD BREAKING SIT STAY COME HERE LIE DOWN THE JUMPER HEEL DON'T BE GUN-SHY BIRDS AND SINGLES BLINKERS, HARDMOUTH, and FLIERS INSTRUCTIONS TO BIRDBOYS THE BREAKING STRAP INTRODUCTION TO WATER HURRY UP METHOD STRAIGHT LINE TO THE BIRD THE QUICK WHISTLE BY LAND AND SEA DECOYS WORKING FROM A BOAT DOUBLES ANYONE? TAKING A LINE LINING IN WATER HANDLING THE BASEBALL DIAMOND THE CROSS PATTERN THE DOUBLE CROSS NEAR SIGHTED DOG HARD OF HEARING QUARTER AND FLUSH TRACKING TRAINING TIPS HANDLING TIPS THE HUNTING TESTS SAMPLE TRAINING TESTS GLOSSARY OF TERMS QUICK REFERENCE FOR PROBLEMS INDEX

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

If you drink coffee at the Keller Cafe you may hear discourse on the man who "talks to dogs." Bill Medcalf is such a man, and "RETRIEVE" is a book that tells how it is done. Bill has been teaching others to train their own dogs for years, stressing common sense and no harsh methods.

This book is about dog training, of course, but it's more than that. Anecdotes scattered throughout lend humor to the book, and show the attitudes and emotions that make sunrise in a duck blind a special feeling.

From the Back Cover

"A lot of training books are done with the idea of showing you how to get your dog to do this or that and if it doesn't work you're on your own. But this book stays with you through the times when things won't go just right--which is almost always. Here you'll find as much common sense and uncomplicated advice as you'll find anywhere--and that's my idea of high praise for a beginners dog training book. If you're going to invest your good time and energy working a good dog--this is a good book to protect all those investments. Leaf through it now and you'll see what I mean." - Gene Hill, Associate Editor, FIELD & STREAM

"I would highly recommend this book to any person interested in retriever training. The neophyte will find a useful manual for training his dog, and the book will help both the development of the dog and trainer. A more advanced trainer will find many non standard but effective ways of dealing with problems. There are many techniques that seem to me unique to this book, and I welcome new approaches to standard problems."
"The entertainment value is high in terms of training and trialing anecdotes. Bill writes with a humor and message. I would expect this book to be a positive addition to anyone's retriever understanding." - Stephen K. Parker, Owner/Trainer FC/AFC Alijah's Sunshine Sally, FC/AFC S&S Sunshine Meg, and AFC Artic Sunshine

"This book is concise and well written. It should be extremely helpful to the hunter or novice retriever trainer who wishes to improve his or her dog's skills in the field." - Dr. Ed Aycoc, Owner/Trainier National Champion San Joquin Honcho

"A book full of practical suggestions for the first time or experienced retriever owner." - Mrs. A.L. Foote, Editor/Publisher RETRIEVER INTERNATIONAL Magazine

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Wildwood Pub Co (September 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962022608
• ISBN-13: 978-0962022609
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,774,336 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MUST READING for anyone that trains their own dog!, July 15, 1998

By 

Bill Medcalf ([e-mail]) (Southlake, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Retrieve: A New Gentle Approach to Retriever Training (Hardcover)

A lot of training books are done with the idea of showing you how to get your dog to do something, and if it doesn't work--you're on your own. RETRIEVE stays with you when things don't go just right--which is almost always. Here you will find as much common sense and uncomplicated advice as you'll find anywhere. The neophyte as well as the more advanced trainer will find many non standard but effective ways of dealing with problems that are unique to this book. At the end of each chapter is a list of common problems that occur in training--and how to correct them without shock collers, whips, ear pinch or any harsh treatment. The entertainment value is high in terms of training and trialing anecdotes. Bill writes with humor and message. This book is about dog training, of course, but it's more than that. Anecdotes scattered throughout lend humor to the book, and show attitudes and emotions that make sunrise in a duck blind a special feeling.