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The Koehler Method of Guard Dog Training; An Effective & Authoritative Guide for Selecting, Training & Maintaining Dogs in Home Protection, Plant Security, Police, & Military Work Hardcover – June, 1972

by
William R. Koehler (Author)
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William R. Koehler (Author)
4.1 out of 5 stars 347 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Hardcover: 207 pages
  • Publisher: Howell Book House; 2 edition (June 1972)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0876055528
  • ISBN-13: 978-0876055526
  • Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 6.2 x 9.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (347 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #107,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsNot for the weak-willed or overly sentimental, BUT...
By Dennis Barrett on May 2, 2005
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
neither are big dogs. It's important to remember that this particular book is aimed at training large aggressive breeds. Yes, you can get your poodle to sit and stay and fetch using other methods. But this is a method for making sure your hundred pound Rottweiler obeys you when failure can mean tragedy. I've trained every one of my dogs using this book's methods. I've had German Sheperds, Rottweilers, Pit Bulls and Filas. Every one of them has responded perfectly to the training. I'm not a breeder or a professional trainer, but my dogs' obedience has been equal to or better than any of the trained dogs that I've encountered. Some of the methods aren't pleasant; training soldiers for combat isn't usually a pleasant process, either. But the point of effective training isn't the trainer's assuaging his or her Inner Child; it's about developing RELIABLE control over a potentially lethal animal. The huggy-wuggy here's-a-puppy treat methods don't work when the animal is under strong external stimulation. Not a week goes by that I don't see the failure of the "kindhearted" methods, just in the course of walking my dog in the local parks.

The main thing with the Koehler method is to follow it exactly!

Some of the detractors here have deliberately lied about the contents of the book. For example, he doesn't advocate beating a dog"for 30 minutes". He advocates hitting the dog sharply on the muzzle if it turns on the trainer. Anyone who thinks that you can correct that kind of misplaced aggression with hugs, treats and "bad-doggies" should reconsider owning a large breed.

It's important to note that Koehler devotes a good bit of time early in the book on selecting dogs with suitable temperament.

In short, I recommend this book without reservation to those with ANY breed of dog who are willing to trade a bit of unpleasantness for a well adjusted dog with rock solid obedience.
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5.0 out of 5 starsThis book could save your dog's life
By Matt on June 12, 2006
Format: Hardcover
This is a very easy to follow, effective book for training dogs. This is NOT a book for owners with dog problems (or dogs with owner problems). If you just want to train your dog by using proven, conditioning techniques, then this is the book for you.

In a nutshell, this book teaches you how to ensure that your dog is paying attention to you at all times, and either obeys your commands, or suffers the consequences of his actions. This is NOT punishment. The dog decides. The dog learns. The dog obeys because he decides to obey. This not only gives him self-confidence, but also gives him a feeling of security because he knows he is doing the right thing. Dogs crave this. They WANT to please you.

Basically, you start with a long leash and a choke collar. You start walking in one direction. Of course, your dog will bound off ahead of you. At that point, you reverse direction, and walk the other way. The dog learns pretty quickly that he better keep an eye on you if he wants to keep from getting jerked around.

It goes on from there, and the lead gets shorter and shorter. The dog learns to HEAL, SIT, STAY etc., but basically you are conditioning the dog to think he is on lead all the time, and has NO choice but to obey or come when called, and, he is always paying attention to you. This is KEY!

If your Jack Russell sees a rabbit running across the road in front of an oncoming car, do you think he will come if you have a treat in your hand? Is he going to look both ways before crossing? No way. But if he has been conditioned to think that if he doesn't come, you'll just jerk his chain, he won't hesitate. He'll stop in his tracks, turn, run back to you, run right around behind you, and sit down right beside you... No kidding.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsTwo-in-one book of dog training
By vic nicolas on May 26, 2000
Format: Hardcover
I'm a professional dog trainer, training dogs mostly for obedience and occasionally for protection work. I found Mr. Koehler's dog book a rare book of so many straight-forward, no nonsense very effective methods of dog training. His throw-chain method is, I think the signature part of his obedience training. He is one of the best I guess. I rate his book 5 star. If you want a fast,effective, and long lasting dog training, try his book. You'll be thankful you did.
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5.0 out of 5 starsReview from a Certified Pet Dog Trainer
By A reader on May 12, 2006
Format: Hardcover
Let's be straight -- Bill Koehler loved dogs. In fact, he loved and respected dogs a whole lot more than some of today's "big name" trainers who refer to dogs as stupid creatures, incapable of thought or responsibility, only able and willing to work for a cookie, because they are nothing but selfish "lemon brains."

I am a professional dog trainer who came up through the ranks of the "positive reinforcement" school of training. I was taught to use cookies and praise to get dogs to behave. And most of all, NEVER correct a dog -- that's cruel and outdated. Well, the "all positive" method of training does work -- to a point. But I found, time and time again, that only using positive reinforcement did not create reliable, 100% consistent behaviours. Where this was most obvious was on the recall -- let's say your dog is off leash at the park, and he takes off after a squirrel. And you're going to try to call him back and give him a tidbit? Most dogs would just keep on running. And to my mind, as a professional trainer, that was unethical and immoral, to send my clients out into the world, knowing full-well that their dogs were not safe, because their behaviours were not reliable.

The Koehler method makes commands reliable. And it does so without abuse, fear, or beating. Bill Koehler belived that it was far kinder to a dog to respect the dog's intelligence, to show the dog the clear contrast in consequences that occur when choosing between one course of action (say, heeling) over another (not heeling, and receiving a SINGLE forceful, well-timed correction). Correct the dog once, properly, the first time, and let the dog make his own choices after that. In fact, Koehler believed it was completely CRUEL to a dog to consistently nag it, over and over again.Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsIf you have a big hard headed high energy dog you need this!

this is not for every dog. This book is good for hard headed dogs who always want to win they will take over your house and get you sued. Read more

Published 22 days ago by steve
4.0 out of 5 starsOK but outdated

I learned to train dogs with this book. I have since learned there are better ways. It is still a great fundamental book

Published 1 month ago by PoodleGlue
4.0 out of 5 starsVery interesting read and very good techniques discussed

Very interesting read and very good techniques discussed. My only critique is that the book does not lay our a specific guide or plan, if you will on, when/how long to train your... Read more

Published 1 month ago by Bronx Lemay
5.0 out of 5 starsAll the bad stuff you hear about this book is for training ...

Condescending writing style but the method has been proven for decades. All the bad stuff you hear about this book is for training dogs who are on their way to the pound.

Published 1 month ago by Imad S.
1.0 out of 5 starsThis book should be banned.

Should be no stars. Anyone who uses this method has no business owning a dog and this book should be banned in the US. Read more

Published 1 month ago by Bri
5.0 out of 5 starsThe master of dogs.

Book was in great shape.His methods work if you follow them exactly.
..

Published 2 months ago by VetteQueen
1.0 out of 5 starsGood Book Never Delivered

This was the first dog training book i used for obedience training at age 10 , someone borrowed but never returned my copy . Tried to order it via Amazon and it never arrived ... Read more

Published 2 months ago by marta
2.0 out of 5 starsTwo Stars

Don't know. I left it sitting on the coffee table and my dog chewed it up.

Published 2 months ago by itsnic
5.0 out of 5 stars... taught this method by a professional retriever trainer who...

I was taught this method by a professional retriever trainer who recommended I get this and the retrieving book. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Nathaniel Comfort
5.0 out of 5 starsI always recommend it to all my dog owning friends and my ...

Despite this book being out of print, I always recommend it to all my dog owning friends and my dog training students! It is a must for new dog owners. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Amazon Customer

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