Family Dog: A Simple and Time-Proven Method, Revised Edition

This book was recommended to us by the breeder we bought our lab from and it turned out to be one of the best books we have read on dog training. Wolters does a great job of spelling out week by week and situation by situation what to do. It is also great because it tells how to incorporate your child into the training - and not many labs like to listen to children. It was great. Our dogs are so well behaved because we followed the routine set in this book. Some are turned off because he does talk of physical punishment -but it really isn't neccessary if you follow the steps from the beginning. If you don't agree with that part, don't do it like we didn't. But the rest of the book is defenitely well worth it.

I used the author's "Water Dog" to train my lab 12 years ago and will use the same techniques now with my new puppy. The focus of this book is most certainly NOT to "whip the dog into shape" but rather to produce a civilized member of the family. Wolters was not Dr. Spock, but to suggest that he was a bad trainer, "lazy and undisciplined" is to do him a gross injustice. I saw the man and his dogs in action: he clearly loved them, and they loved him. Wolters urges his readers to praise their puppy at every opportunity. Only when they deliberately misbehave, and then only when they are of an age (2)to know they are misbehaving, does he suggest a swat on the bottom. In today's politically correct society, that surely amounts to beastiality, but dogs don't read The New York Times or enroll in PETA, so you're safe. As an aside, using Wolters' books as training guides I ended up with a wonderful, obedient dog whom I never had to hit, not once, in 12 years. I (and my dog) owe Wolters a debt of gratitude.

17 years ago we used Mr. Wolters' Family Dog & Water Dog methods to train our black Lab with great success. We've recommended his books to many others who have in turn done the same. Now as we plan to bring a new puppy into the family for our 15 yr. old son, Wolters' books will be required reading, once again. Of course, we will need to purchase new copies as our original editions have long since gone. Very few things in life don't need improving on--we count Mr. Wolters' books among them!

We got a golden retriever puppy 6 years ago. My neighbor (whose dogs are beautifully trained) recommended this book, which I immediately bought and used. Many people comment on how well-behaved my dog is, and it is because I followed this book to the letter. I have been asked what training I took Ellie to, and have replied "She's home-schooled!" I have loaned out my copy many times and am happy to see it is updated, although the original was fine. I would highly recommend it for anyone getting a puppy or a new dog.

We have used the entire Wolters series (Family Dog, Gun Dog, Water Dog, etc.) to train our labrador. We recommend this book to ANYONE with any type of dog but especially for labs!