Can you retriever trainers tell me what you think is the best book/guide for triaing retrievers (labs). I've used Wolter'sWater Dog with good results but wondering if there are any better ones out there.
Its been 10 or 11 years since I've done any "basic training" but I had my 2 labs die on me in the past 2 months, one from old age and another fromstroke, and I have a new pup to train.
Any suggestions appreciated.

I was turned onto a book called "10 Minute Retriever" has helped me a ton!

I think it kind of depends on the trainer's experience.
For the novice, "10 Minute Retriever" by the Dobbs' is good.
For the more experienced trainer, the Mike Lardy articles are good.
But for the more experienced trainer, you can't beat the "Smartwork" series (books and DVD's) by Evan Graham.


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Take a quick look at the "training" thread. Many people believe in geting the dogs on live birds.

I read the 10 min retriever and learned a lot. I thing going out to a preserve where you can buy birds has helped my dog tons, along with a trainers advice.

There are a few "clubs" listed on there that I have not checked into, but it sounds like they are a bennificial tool to training.

When I was training my dogs in the past I did buy chuckars by the dozen to have the dog hunt and I would shoot them over the dog(s).

great book. It explains everything very well. The fowl dawg dvd's are good too. Wolters book is good but that was before force fetch.