Retriever Training: A Back-to-Basics Approach (Paperback)

by Robert Milner (Author) "THE OLD STATION wagon plowed south down Highway 61 through blowing snow..." (more)
Key Phrases: unsteady dog, heel zone, retrieving desire (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
“It may well be the best book on the subject since Dick Wolter’s Gun Dog, which came out nearly a half-century ago.” -- Dave Rossie, Press & Sun-Bulletin, Sept. 10, 2000

“If I were training a retriever puppy now, and had no interest in competing in field trials or hunt tests, this is the program I’d embrace.” -- Tom Davis, Sporting Classics magazine

“Written by a man who has been training dogs professionally for more than 30 years, this 198-page book is one of the best on dog training to be published.” -- The Spokesman-Review, Aug. 30, 2000 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"May well be the best book on the subject since Dick Wolter's Gun Dog."--Dave Rossie, Press & Sun-Bulletin

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; 1st edition (October 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932052259
• ISBN-13: 978-1932052251
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #70,353 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #44 in	Books > Science > Biological Sciences > Zoology > Mammals
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended, October 29, 2000

By	John Brown (Western Grove, AR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Retriever Training: A Back to Basics Approach (Hardcover)

Excellent! If you want to use your brain more and the whip less when training your dog, this book is for you. Robert Milner's new book shares the experience and insight of a lifetime of dog training and learning. It's not just a bunch of tips and trick, but rather an improved understanding of the relationship of human and dog. It is always refreshing to read an author's new book and find that they have been learning, not just getting older. I read Milner's first book, "Retriever Training for the Duck Hunter", fifteen years ago. It is a good book still worth reading. This new book has the same practical approach, but utilizes canine understanding and dog psychology more and rigid routines less. I don't think the author intentionally became "kinder and gentler", it's just that more knowledge and better understanding have brought about a more effective training method that requires less harsh punishment. I have been lucky enough to know several dog trainers over the years. I have invariably thought, at first, that they had a heavier hand than I was willing to use but I was aware that I was interested because they trained dogs better than I did and I could learn from them. Without exception, as time passed, they became better trainers and used the whip less and less. A perfect example is Robert G. Wehle in his first book, "Wing and Shot" and his latest book "Snakefoot". Read both of Milner's books and see what I am talking about. "Retriever Training" has excellent information about dog training, no matter what breed you have. Read this book! Your dog will appreciate your improved understanding.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful for even non-huntring Labrador owners, May 26, 2001

By	Yeoh Siok Kee (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Retriever Training: A Back to Basics Approach (Hardcover)

First ... We neither hunt nor compete in field trials ...

However, we do own a 5 month old Labrador whom we have been training for the last 3 months ...

Although much of the book focuses on training a Lab to retrieve game in the field, we decided to buy this book because it teaches owners how to train a Lab for good off-leash behaviour (something many training books/manuals do not do) ... and also because it's specifically tailored for the Labrador ...

Mr. Milner's training style comprises of both traditional & more modern methods of training ... for instance, although Mr. Milner advocates the use of slip & pinch chains, he discourages use of physical punishment ... and utilises plenty of positive reinforcement ...

The book is well organised and structured ... making it easy for the reader to progress gradually and successfully from stage to stage in the training of the dog ... from basic sit, stay & heel ... to the more complex lesson of teaching a dog to obey hand signals at a distance ...

What we found particularly useful is Mr. Milner's insistence that the Lab should maintain an air of calmness and steadiness at all times ...

The Lab is a happy, easy outgoing going breed that loves people, is easy to train but sensitive ... Mr. Milner obviously understands the breed very well ...

His thoughts on how the breed is progressing today, his opinion on field trail competition in the States ... also make interesting reading ...

All in all ... a good book for hunting and non-hunting Lab owners alike ...

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Recommend This Training Guide, April 3, 2002

By	G Nieman (Wheaton, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Retriever Training: A Back to Basics Approach (Hardcover)

I bought this book soon after bringing home my lab six months ago. I don't hunt. But I figure that if hunting is what this dog was bred to do, I would spend some time giving him something of the experience. We do walk the forest preserves and farmer's fields frequently.

The methods are based on understanding trainer and pup's behaviors, simple obedience commands, creating a steady dog, and training in habits that you want your dog to have. The lessons are set out as self-paced exercises. They are described concisely and clearly. I have found them to be easy and fun. My pup seems to like them, too.

This book is very enjoyable to read. I have read the chapters over and over again, getting some new insight nearly every time. We still have a ways to go before we have mastered all of the skills, but we have the confidence to keep trying because Milner's book has produced successes along the way we've passed.