Cove Mountain Kennels

 

Title: How To Help Gun Dogs Train Themselves; Taking Advantage of Early Conditioned Learning

Author: Joan Bailey
ISBN: 0-9630127-3-8
Swan Valley Press, Hillsboro, OR

What does a woman know about training hunting dogs?
Answer: A lot! As one of the entry pages states, Joan has been a versatile hunting dog field judge for 29 years, editor of Gun Dog Supreme for 25 years, and the winner of 13 awards from the Dog Writers Association of America (who ever they are). So, she’s been around, she knows her stuff and is a good writer that’s enjoyable to read.

I particularly like Joan’s method of training. That is, start with proven bloodlines, then keep the dog with you as much as possible, take it everywhere, especially the first year, expose the dog to everything. Teach the dog through learned conditioning; “conditioning is learning in such a way that the dog thinks he invented whatever you want him to learn.”

This book is a great read for someone about to get a puppy or is in the first year raising a gun dog. Joan give simple, clear advice and lays out sound principles. For example she gives the following five basic rules:

1. The first and most important concept to remember is that a dog is a pack animal. This means that there is always a leader and the rest are followers. You have to be the pack leader.
2. Always be consistent.
3. Keep your commands simple (one word)
4. Use a command only one time.
5. Never give a command that you cannon enforce.

I have not seen any earlier editions of this book, but I assume that the old (1970’s vintage) photos were from the first printing, nevertheless, the material has been revised and is up to date and right on. This book is not a dog training book per se, but rather a way of thinking about raising and conditioning dogs over their first year to become wonderful companions and great gun dogs. I though it was a great read.