Customer Reviews

Retriever Training: A Back to Basics Approach

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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 ...

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.

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.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am presently training my first labrador retriever to be a hunting dog and this book gave me a different approach than many of the regular authors waterfowl hunters read in order to train their own dogs: Richard Wolters, Bill Tarant, etc. I found this book to be well written and full of examples that really hit home after I had a chance to take a step back and access my own weaknesses as an amateur trainer, as well as, the weaknesses of my retriever. It offered a means to improve not only my abilities but also a positive manner in which my dog responded well to what I was asking her to do. I felt the book was well organized and the time the author takes to hammer home the importance of training a steady dog is well worth the read.

After reading several books on the subject, I feel that the more knowledge you can arm yourself with, the better results you will achieve in your training efforts. I don't believe there is one book that is the end all be all of dog training. That said, I would recommend this book to any amateur trainer that is more concerned with producing a confident and capable dog for the hunting field than with winning ribbons at a hunt test.

This is simply the best retriever training book I've ever read, and I've read quite a few over the years. Move over Dick Wolters and Bill Tarrant. There's a new master at teaching us how to train our own hunting retrievers, and his name is Robert Milner.

Rather than simply recycling old methods, Milner brings something totally new and refreshing to retriever training. This is a kinder, gentler training method based on the latest research in understanding how dog's have evolved and how they learn, as well as on the author's many years of training experience. Best of all, it teaches us how to use our own intuition and common sense in the training process.

It is very difficult for some to "think outside the box" with regards to training their dogs. Sometimes one needs to explore the results of the most popular training methods and realize the room for significant improvement. We trained our first dog using these familiar methods. She would retreive anything, anytime, anywhere. She would bring anything she could find to anyone who would throw it to her. She was as far from a "steady" dog as you could find.
Now, using Mr. Milners techniques (which are very different than the "popluar techniques") we have an incredibly obedient and steady young lab. The difference is amazing. Both dogs came from similar lines (field trial)and they couldn't be more different. It works, and works well. Very easy to read and implement. You must buy this book! You will not regret it.
Six stars from us!!

Milner gets you inside the head of retrievers and lets you look at things from their point of view. Having raised many other hunting dogs(beagles and walker coonhounds), my approach was much different with my new pup(Logan;) than with the previous dogs. My dog at three months is much better behaved and trained than any dog I have personally owned or seen. READ THIS BOOK LIKE IT WAS THE BIBLE!!! Everything works EXACTLY as he writes it!! The knowledge you receive makes pups a pleasure instead of a pain(cleanups, chewing, and wandering off on a destruction spree). This book starts with the basics and continues on to very advanced training. All of which, in an EASY to follow and understand way, relies on a building block method. YOUR DOG DESERVES TO BE TRAINED IN THIS EXCELLENT, NON-VIOLENT WAY!!! It will be the best money you've spent(except for your dog, of course)!!

Last year I lost my outstanding female Lab after eight wonderful years. I thought I would never be able to duplicate that gift. I got in touch with Mike Stewart of Wildrose Kennels in Oxford Miss. and thanks to his excellent breeding of British and American Labradors and Mr. Milners fine book I now again have an outstanding retrever. Mike provided a puppy that had been bred for all the qualities I desired and I trusted him right down to picking the very pup. He suggested Mr. Milners book and the pup and I went to work. We just finished our duck season and my Sheba just turned ten months old and hunted thirty seven days and retreved over 500 ducks and geese. She was outstanding and I have no doubt she will be the best retrever I have ever had. There is no substitute for quality genetics and wise realistic instruction. My deep appreation for Mike Stewart and Robert Milner. Their products are worth every penny.

This book, Retriever training, is well laid out, direct, and down to earth for working retriever training. It is sponsored by Ducks Unlimited so you know that it is focused on hunting but a good portion of the book is on basic retriever obedience. The author follows a low pressure, high praise approach that does not rely on electronic collars but rather on handler-dog relationship and the dogs basic willingness to please.

If you are looking to train your dog for hunting this would be a decent reference, though having an experienced hand to help is more important in my opinion. What this book offers is a good reference and framework for getting started for the novice and experienced owner alike.

I find this useful for any owner, if they want their retriever to be a pet or a working dog, you could do worse then spending a few hours reading through this book.

Last year I lost my outstanding female Lab after eight wonderful years. I thought I would never be able to duplicate that gift. I got in touch with Mike Stewart of Wildrose Kennels in Oxford Miss. and thanks to his excellent breeding of British and American Labradors and Mr. Milners fine book I now again have an outstanding retrever. Mike provided a puppy that had been bred for all the qualities I desired and I trusted him right down to picking the very pup. He suggested Mr. Milners book and the pup and I went to work. We just finished our duck season and my Sheba just turned ten months old and hunted thirty seven days and retreved over 500 ducks and geese. She was outstanding and I have no doubt she will be the best retrever I have ever had. There is no substitute for quality genetics and wise realistic instruction. My deep appreation for Mike Stewart and Robert Milner. Their products are worth every penny.