Water Dog: Revolutionary Rapid Training Method

I had a great time reading the book. The training tips and techniques have worked extremely well on my lab. There is a logical progression to the process that is well explained. I would suggest that anyone who makes the decision and commits the time to training a retriever read and reread this book. Additionally, pay attention to the comments devoted to trainer patients - - you will need it.

I just purchased my first lab, and was not sure on which way to start retrieving training. While, this is the book you want! I talked to many guys and gals on the message boards and chat groups and every trainer and owner I talked to also recommends this book!

This book is by far the best book I have ever read for training your retriever. I have used Richard Walters method for over 10 years and have had nothing but success. I have even written him once about a training problem and he wrote me back! with the answer to my question. This is a time proven book and method. You cannot possibly go wrong if you follow his method!

I have been training dogs for 20 years and this book was my trainer. Learning how to be a trainer is the start to a great dog and freind for life. The first time I read this book I knew that Mr. Wolters had put his time in and worked at it with love for the breed. The best thing you can do for a freind that is going to buy a Lab is give him your book to get started in the right direction. Thank-you for a life long friend and many hour of rereading to keep trained.

Richard Wolters understands how to train a retriever. More importantly he understands that retrievers very much want to retrieve, not be pampered friends. The key to the successes found by using his book is his focus on "fun" training after 7 weeks and the enforcement of those lessons in future weeks. Making lessons fun and practicing in repetition is everything and Richard Wolters recognized that fact. Another critical aspect of dog training is that point in a dog's life where they test their owner. Richard Wolters makes it clear, if you are not willing to spank, "stop reading the book". I have found that it is critical to develop a balance between punishment and praise. I quickly reprimand the dog and then follow-on with the lessons. If the problem persists, I stop and start again later. Richard Wolters understands that the desire is there, in the dog, to please its owner. This has resulted from the attention paid to the dog in weeks 8 through 12. But never let the dog "win" by playing the part of a "sensitive dog". As my comments focus on the first weeks of training a dog, I am convinced that Richard Wolters has written the "Bible of Retriever Training" because he understands that those weeks after a dog is taken from the breeder at 49 days are the most critical. It is where the dog gets "started" and allows the dog to *learn how to learn*. WATER DOG is a timeless reference on training a retriever.