How to Help Gun Dogs Train Themselves (Paperback)

by Joan Bailey (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"...is a stand-up, self-propelling... book...Get yourself a copy...and give your next pup a headstart in life." -- Bill Tarrant, "Field & Stream," June 1992

"...recommend it to anyone about to start a young pup...Memorize the first seven chapters. Then the next six." -- American Hunter, Feb 1992, Bill McClure, gun dog editor

"If you have a pup, don't put this book aside to read later." -- Larry Mueller, hunting dog editor, Outdoor Life

"Perhaps the best book there is on raising and training young hunting dogs of any breed..." -- Gun Dog magazine, April/May 2002, John McGonigle, Flushing Breeds Column

Bill McClure, gun dog editor: "...recommend it to anyone about to start a young pup...Memorize the first seven chapters. Then the next six." --NRA's American Hunter, Feb 1992

John McGonigle, Gun Dog Flushing Breeds Column: "Perhaps the best book there is on raising and training young hunting dogs of any breed..." --Gun Dog magazine, April/May 2002

Larry Mueller, hunting dog editor: "...If you have a pup, don't put this book aside to read later." --Foreword of book

Product Description
Save time by training your gun dog the easy, painless and fun way.

The most critical developmental time for dogs is the first 16 weeks of life. Since puppies usually go to their new owners between 8 and 12 weeks of age, only a few short weeks remain for the dog's potential to be tapped. Proper socialization, exposure and conditioning must take place within this time frame if behavioral problems such as not coming when called, not retrieving, or failure to point are to be avoided.

In the United States each year, over 8 million gun dogs work in unison with the 16 million people who have come to enjoy the thrill of hunting upland birds and waterfowl.

Of that number, thousands will spend approximately $600 to purchase a new pup within the next year only to find that unnecessary mistakes have ruined an otherwise fine gun dog's potential.

It doesn't have to be that way. One of America's great dog people, and veteran editor of The Gun Dog Supreme, Joan Bailey, guides both new and experienced dog owners through that all important first year of their new puppy's life with her book--"How To Help Gun Dogs Train Themselves."

Designed in an easy to read, step-by-step format. "How To Help Gun Dogs Train Themselves" assists gun dog owners by providing proven methods emphasizing socialization, exposure and conditioning during the critical first 12 months of a dogs life. Under the skillful direction of Joan Bailey, gun dog enthusiasts will learn what thousands of successful bird hunters have known for years--with a little help gun dogs really train themselves.

Now in it's 3rd edition, updated with new material, over 206 information packed pages, more than 130 photographs.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 206 pages
• Publisher: Swan Valley Press; 3rd Rev edition (June 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963012738
• ISBN-13: 978-0963012739
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #560,181 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for pup's all important 1st year, February 24, 2006

By	Reader "Reader" (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

Joan Bailey does a great job of helping inexperienced people understand how to effectively train their own gun dog. Her philospohy is both simple and fun -- basically the owner takes responsibility for exposing a pup to the situations that will allow him to develop his hunting instincts. The rest is up to pup, and Joan assures readers that any well bred hunting pup will quickly begin to develop the traits he was bred to inherit. There is little need for formal training early on, and it seems that if one follow's Joan's outline there will be a very strong bond between owner and pup by the end of the first year. No negative responses or punishments in the critical early months.

A less intense approach, to be sure, but one that will prevent inexperienced trainers from making serious errors that can cause problems down the road. Joan tells readers what to expose pup to, when to do it, and how to go about it. It is a training approach that focuses on encouragement and exposure, leaving readers with the option of additional, more formal training after the first year if desired.

All you need to do is explore some of the internet forums on training hunting dogs (particularly versatile hunting dog forums) and you'll see this book recommended far more frequently than any other.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for all dog owners, September 6, 2006

By	Philip G. Bennett (Southwest Harbor, Maine) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am an avid bird hunter here in the Northestern US. Through the years I have owned, trained and handled a number of hunting and non-hunting dogs. I also judge hunting dogs, not for show, but for their natural hunting qualities and their ability to take training to become excellent, finished hunting dogs and good citizens around the house. Consequently, I get to see a large number of dogs every year who have been trained using the principles outlined in Joan Bailey's book, and unfortunately, some who have not. There is no question in my mind this is the best book available for anyone who wants to groom a great hunting dog, and a wonderful canine companion. The book is beautifully written, concise, and best of all, it works. I recommend it, and often give it as a gift, to anyone I know who is getting a puppy. Buying this book and following it to the letter is the best thing any dog owner can do for themselves and for their dog!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars How to Help Gundogs Train Themselves, May 26, 2008

By	Erika Alfaro - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: How to Help Gun Dogs Train Themselves, Taking Advantage of Early Condtioned Learning (Paperback)

I really enjoyed Ms. Bailey's approach to training gun dogs, especially the emphasis that she places on conditioning instead of formal training. Ms. Bailey's conditioning techniques allow you to train your dog without the dog realizing it. Her book and its methods are only intended for puppies to 1 year old dogs. She defers you to other books and techniques to use for training your adult dog. However, I feel that if you use the techniques she has stated in her book with your puppy/adolescent dog, you will be well on your way to having not only a great bird dog, but also a great family friend that is well mannered and socialized.