Training Books

[marcum]

I've been reading this forum for a couple months now and finally decided to join. I've gotten a lot of good trips and ideas from reading but wanted to start a topic and get everyone's thoughts and ideas on it.

I've got a 4 month old lab pup I have been training out of Tom Dokken's book "Retriever Training" but am looking for other ideas too. That's just the one I started with. How do you feel about this book if you are familiar with it and what others would you recommend or are you partial to?

- Rowdy

[Del Lolo]

Dokken's book is alright, but far from complete.
IMO, you can't beat Evan Graham's "Smartwork" series of books and DVDs.

.

[Rick S]

I've been reading this forum for a couple months now and finally decided to join. I've gotten a lot of good trips and ideas from reading but wanted to start a topic and get everyone's thoughts and ideas on it.

I've got a 4 month old lab pup I have been training out of Tom Dokken's book "Retriever Training" but am looking for other ideas too. That's just the one I started with. How do you feel about this book if you are familiar with it and what others would you recommend or are you partial to?

- Rowdy

I don't know much about Dokken's book, but I highly recommend starting a puppy with Bill Hillmans puppy DVD. It breaks it down day by day and is very detailed. Follow it closely and you'll have a solid foundation that transitions well into other programs, whether it be Smartworks, Lardy's TRT, or sticking with Hillmans other DVDs. Good Luck!

[EvanG]

The Smartwork system is complete, and is the most detailed program on the market. That includes a through puppy program, and all sequential steps to completely train a finished dog. One program, all the steps, and every step following the same philosophy - that makes it so much easier for both you and your dog to learn and live with. Let me know anytime I can be of help.



Step by step. The above video clip is just part of one of the steps. Want to give him your best?

EvanG

[Carolina Gundogs]

I believe there are several if not many good retriever trainers out there specializing in the water retrievers.
However, Evan Graham's work has proven itself many times over. His series would be the one I would prefer.

[AZ Brittany Guy]

I would think the big advantage to Evan Graham's program is he's available on this Forum to answer any questions you may have. I do think that once you find a program that you understand (for the most part), stick with it. It has been said many times on this board, "don't change or mix n match" methods. You will confuse you and your dog.

[marcum]

After reading through and working some of the stuff in Dokken's book, I do feel like it creates some gaps in the training where I am left wondering how to fill them in. That's how I found this forum. I want something that feels complete! Evan's Smartworks program looks like what I am looking for. Plus, as AZ Brittany Guy mentioned, it seems like a huge benefit that Evan Graham is on this forum to back his program!

I'm sold on Smartworks. As much as I would love to pull the trigger on the complete system, that's just not in the budget right now with Christmas coming soon. But I would like to get started on the program. Getting into the Smartworks what would be the first couple dvd's or books you would recommend to start with?

Rowdy

[EvanG]

Why don't you give me a call sometime today at 816-213-9397 and we'll match materials with your needs & budget. Or email to rushcreekpress@aol.com

EvanG