I've been reading alot on bird dog training lately. A few books I like and a few which can arguebly be improved. I have read some instances where the author says to avoid this type of equipment and others use. I have read about the thoughts on certain breeds by the authors. I'm currently reading Bill Tarrant's book on training. It's basically, a compilation of interviews of various professional trainers and their outlook.

This is what I've concluded so far (after 5 books, 3 more to read).

It's not really which method you use but if you use common sense into your training,you'll get a nice hunting dog.Its the common sense in which makes the method you use work. For example, instead of asking, 'how do I make my dog better to impress friends?' common sense would ask 'do I really need to train my dog to do this?' and 'how do I make it fun?'.

Alot of this came about because I'm currently trying to train my dog to be steady on wing and shot. She'swell woah trained in the yard (using the Smith method woah post), ie. I can woah her, step away, circle her, bend down pick a rock up, then call her to me. And while she's comming to me woah her again. All well and fine? Nope, she's lost her enthusiasm for training even when I cut back her training to 15 mins/week and before that once a month for the last year. She's been pre-conditioned (pre-trained) in alot of ways, wellsocialized, etc. For woah pre-conditioning, before feeding, set down the bowl with her alittle back then woah her. Then release her with a load 'GO!'.

Do I really need her to be steady? Yes, because I often ask people who don't have dogs to join my friend and I and for safety she should be steady. How do I make it fun? Now, that's the million dollar question. Adapt her pre-conditioning but use a crippled bird and introduce fetch?

I want to hear yourthoughts on general training and/or methods I should try.