Milner's book is much more than a comprehensive method for the training of retrievers it focuses on that special relationship that develops between a hunter and his dog."

A perfect new addition to the popular Richard A. Wolters series, trusted by hundreds of thousands of dog lovers for the past forty yearsMaster dog trainer Richard Wolters was renowned for his innovative techniques, customized to achieve superior results for a variety of pet owners. Now his protégé, Joseph Middleton, combines the lessons from the top-selling books in Wolters’s series—Water Dog, Gun Dog, and Game Dog—with the latest methods. The result is a comprehensive, up-to-date guide for amateur trainers. Featuring time-tested wisdom for raising well-behaved canines, Top Dogincludes: - Six tests for selecting the correct puppy in the litter - All the basics of obedience that work on any age dog - The humane way to train with the electronic collar - Refined aspects of retrieval, including difficult, multiple-blind retrieves - Drills for an advanced hunting retriever and field trailer Whether raising a hunting dog or a family pet, readers will at last be able to realize the dream of owning a true “top dog,” a retriever that they’ll be proud of in the duck blind or at home with the kids. Sure to set the standard for years to come, Top Dogtakes the dog-training category to a new level.

There has long been a disconnect between the retriever training methods in the United Kingdom and in North America. British Retriever Trials are primarily a test of the dog's skill as a game finder, while American Field Trials are a test of the handling techniques of the owner. The Brits teach their dogs to find every bird, while American handlers are training for an event in which tracking cripples plays no part. The British manner, for many American and Canadian hunters, makes more sense to them on a day-to-day basis because its aim is to produce a finished gun dog who is steady, quiet, and reliable in the field.

Robert Milner has been training dogs professionally for more than thirty years. Over that stretch he has trained about 1,500 retrievers for hunting and field trials, drug and explosive detection, and even search-and-rescue operations. He taught obedience classes at the University of Memphis for ten years, and has judged retriever trials in both the U.S. and in England. He lives in Memphis, Tennessee, with his wife, Susan, and yellow Lab, Jake.

Hunting Success Begins Here! In Tom Dokken's Retriever Training, America's leading trainer helps you channel your hunting dog's huge ambition so he works for you, the way you want, and does so happily.After using the time-tested methods in Tom Dokken's Retriever Training, you'll have a reliable retriever that: • Obeys commands on- and off-leash • Retrieves birds to hand • Remains steady to shot • Quarters and flushes upland game • Finds downed birds • Takes hand signals

The most efficient dog training book for retrievers hunting upland birds and waterfowl—from the author of Water Dog. This time-proven guide by legendary trainer Richard A. Wolters offers a step-by-step method for completely training your dog, resulting in a skilled hunting retriever by the time your pet is one year old. In Game Dog, you’ll discover: • How to choose a pup—what to look for, where to find the best • The five critical periods of a dog's mental development • Which retrievers are easier to train—males or females • How to get two dogs to work together • Why feeding time is more than food • How to teach your dog to track, quarter, and swim after game • How to get your dog to betray his instincts and obey your commands • Which tasks your dog must master to qualify as a hunter • And much more... Fully illustrated, Game Dog is an invaluable book for every hunter training a retriever and every pet owner who wants a better trained dog. “Wolters has produced a solid book that will be of great help to anyone training his retriever to work. He is an acknowledged master in the field and an excellent instructor.”—Dog Fancy

A comprehensive guide to transforming your dog into a valuable wing-shooting companion in the field and at home. Created by Mike Stewart of Wildrose Kennels, the Wildrose Way is a unique, low-force, positive training method that is field-proven for upland and waterfowl gundogs. The training prepares dogs for versatility—any game, any terrain, any destination—and makes them desirable companions for any situation. Now, for the first time, Stewart’s methods are compiled in one indispensable reference book, fully illustrated with photographs and diagrams. Containing chapters on establishing essential behaviors, the core skills of the hunting retriever, and waterdog finishing work, as well as sidebars on such topics as breed selection and effective canine leadership, this step-by-step book is designed specifically for wing-shooters who want to transform their pup into a gentleman’s gundog.