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

This is a revised and expanded second edition.

The perfect book for both beginning and experienced bird dog trainers.

### The Hunting Dog Trainer's Handbook Unlock the Full Potential of Your Canine Companion Transform your hunting sessions with "The Hunting Dog Trainer's Handbook," the definitive guide to training a reliable, efficient, and skilled hunting dog. Dive deep into expert techniques and proven methods designed to enhance your dog's natural abilities while forging an unbreakable bond between hunter and canine. **Unlock the Science of Scent Detection** Discover the intricacies of your dog's powerful sense of smell. Learn how dogs process scents in the field and why scent training is foundational for any hunting dog. **Select the Ideal Hunting Companion** From evaluating different breeds to assessing puppies, gain insights into choosing a dog that’s instinctively suited for hunting tasks. Understand the role of temperament and natural instinct in a successful hunting dog. **Master Basic and Advanced Obedience** Whether you're teaching fundamental commands or tackling complex instructions, this handbook covers it all. Find out how consistency, patience, and the right tools can make a world of difference. **Introduce Realistic Hunting Scenarios** Prepare your dog for the hunt with simulated environments, desensitization to gunfire, and handling varied terrains. Your dog will be ready for whatever nature throws your way. **Hone Scent and Visual Training Techniques** Start with basic scent trails and gradually increase difficulty as your dog progresses. Combine scent clues with visual markers to ensure your dog is versatile and adaptive. **Build Agility and Water Retrieval Skills** Develop physical fitness and teach specialized agility exercises tailored for the hunting environment. Master water retrieval techniques to create a well-rounded, skilled hunting partner. **Excel in Field Trials and Competitions** Understand the different types of field trials, prepare effectively, and evaluate your dog's performance accurately. Turn each trial into a learning experience that enhances your dog's skills. **Embrace Positive Reinforcement** Utilize treats, praise, and affection to motivate your dog. Learn the timing and consistency needed to reinforce desired behaviors effectively. **Formidable Teamwork and Communication** Strengthen the partnership between you and your dog. Develop communication techniques that work in the field and use role-playing scenarios to anticipate real-life hunting situations. **Overcome Challenges and Ensure Well-being** Navigate common issues, provide first aid, and ensure your dog’s health with proper nutrition and care. Adapt your training for different seasons and weather conditions while keeping your dog safe and healthy. Elevate your hunting experience with a well-trained, reliable companion by your side. "The Hunting Dog Trainer's Handbook" is your all-in-one resource for nurturing an exceptional hunting dog that exceeds your expectations.

Many hunters consider their retrievers to be "polished" if the dog sits, stays, retrieves marked singles and won't run off. However, retrievers of every breed have so much potential. This book condenses Tom's 40-plus years of dog training into a concise, easy-to-follow guide that helps you unlock the magic within your retriever. Working at your own pace, and with vivid visual instructions, you'll learn how to teach your dog honoring, multiple marked retrieves, blind retrieves over land and water, and much more. Arguable America's best-known retriever trainer, Tom as four-plus decades of experience turning retrievers into successful hunt-test competitors, field-trail participants and great hunting companions. He operates Dokken's Oak Ridge Kennels in Northfield, Minn., which is also one of the country's largest all-breed hunting dog training facilities. He also creates the popular Dokken's Dreadfowl Trainer dummy, which is designed to teach dogs the proper hold on game birds.

Training Your Pointing Dog for Hunting and Home tells how to develop an obedient gun dog that is also an affectionate family companion, with training schedules and advice on everything from handling a newborn pup to teaching advanced field techniques and finely tuned pointing manners. The book presents a simplified, commonsense approach that can be used in its entirety or to troubleshoot individual aspects of your dog's education. Explains the importance of early obedience training and appropriate transition to the field, including tips for retrieving, quartering, sight pointing, and bird work. With proper care and handling, you can cultivate your pup's natural aptitudes and achieve a rewarding relationship with a healthy, happy gun dog. • Tells how to choose the right breed for your personality and hunting and includes training tips for housebreaking and basic living commands • Techniques for introducing the gun, achieving staunchness on point, and advanced field quartering and retrieving • Preventing problem behaviors of deer chasing, blinking, gun shyness, hardmouth, short stopping

Do you have a gun dog and want to have a great time working with your dog and perhaps enter a field trial? Do you want to find a training method where your dog has just as much fun as you do? Do you want to learn how to combine reward based training and field trial training? If so, this is the book for you. Retrieving for All Occasions is an accessible and inspiring book about how you can use the reward based training philosophy in your gun dog training. The book describes an approach to gun dog training that will challenge you to try something new – if you have the desire and will to do so. This book includes over 100 exercises to train a talented spaniel or retriever. The exercises are for introductory field trial classes for spaniels and retrievers, but this book is also useful for those who have pointers or setters and want to train them for gun dog work.