Hey Pup, Fetch It Up!: The Complete Retriever Training Book

Rating:
Summary: Good Non-Force training method
Review: Bill's technique of no force shed a new light to my ideas on how dogs should be trained. I was on my way to training my newest retriever just liked I'd trained many dogs before. Bill's book shed a new light on things. I tried it and it works! I recommend to anyone, give it a try before you knock his technique!

Rating:
Summary: Hey Pup - One of the best for amature trainers
Review: Fetch it up goes one step further than other training books, in that it addresses the next steps when your dog does not respond to the initial instruction. Covers all aspects and needs for training a hunting retriever.

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Summary: This is Bill Tarrant's best work yet!
Review: Has an excellent approach to force retrieving, that wont hurt your dog. Introducing pups to all the basics that a good gun dog must know. Good for all handlers first time or professional. This detailed book is what makes it so wonderful. If I owned one book it would be Bill Tarrants Hey Pup, Fetch It Up! : The Complete Retriever Training Book.

Rating:
Summary: Very touchy feely approach to training.
Review: I am an amateur at dog training. This book has a lot of personal stories that vaguely relate to training. Terrant has the same approach to training that a person would use with a child that misbehaves, "If you don't do as I say, I'm going to give you a time out!". This didn't work for my dog and set back her training. I recently purchased "Water Dog" by Wolters. This book is more to the point, half the reading, and works.

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Summary: some double talk about dogs
Review: i did find this book useful but i'm a bit confused by the author chasitising the field trials as taking the dog out of the dog in the beginning of the book and then praising the fields trials as God sent, to show off what a retriever can really do. another point the author says "WHY IN AMERICA DO WE USE GIMMICKS AND WEIRD TOOLS..." and yet the book is like the insiders guide to the gimmicks and tricks the PRO uses to make a great retriever. i agree that there is some advice that is not very to the point (cook book style for us beginners), but most of it, is clear and easy to read. there is alot of good advice but it is not uptodate with the new click and treat training techinques. There is one thing that the author is right on target is his 4 T's. He seemed to be ahead of his time with his ideas about not treating the dog like he was a piece of meat.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent primer for the beginner.
Review: I found this book to be very helpful in understanding my pups and how they saw me.I feel this book saved my pups and myself alot of grief and misery.These dogs are wonderful creatures and they want to please,give this book a try, I think you like.Mike Rogers

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful read - one of the better training manuals ...
Review: The book is hardcover, good binding, average quality paper, standard font size but the good layout making for easy reading. A substantial book, with 500 pages.

First published in 1979, Bill Tarrant was well ahead of his time; he's been using praise & reward training methods long before the expression "operant" became vogue.

Primarily directed to training retrievers, Tarrant's method & style is so honest - almost anyone wishing to train any breed will find the book useful and enlightening ... If there is one consistent message that comes through Tarrant's book, it is - NEVER HURT THE DOG!

Perhaps what makes this different from many others - is it becomes patently obvious even after a few pages that Tarrant is not teaching anything he has not tested & tried, he is himself unafraid watch, learn and try different methods.

Consisting of 20 chapters, the author takes the reader from how to choose a pup to training the first fetch, from how to transport a dog to emergency first aid, from housetraining a puppy to teaching the dog to force fetch. When & how to introduce a dog to water? ... How to train for a soft mouth? ... Gun-shyness, what to do? ... Tarrant deals with all and more ...

The book lays out training methods & schedules and offers potential solutions to difficulties & problems that may be encountered. Tarrant has developed his own training methods and procedure - some of which are rather novel. For example, he advocates using puppies to teach each other the beginnings of how to 'stay' and to give to the lead.

Each topic is explained in-depth; each stage of training dealt with in detail.

Written with wonderful humour, the book is filled with anecdotes and stories collected from a lifetime of training & living with dogs, the book is both entertaining and educational. More than just a training manual, the book teaches us how to better appreciate our dogs, respect the individual spirit within each animal and have better understanding of our canine friend.

A wonderful read.