Folks: I was so happy to find Wolters' _Family Dog_! I had used his _Game Dog_ (though not a hunter) on a previous dog about 20 years ago, but wanted something less for the hunting set.

This book is it! Let me also say, I went to B&N and read Amazon.com and considered all of the other books that simply remind me too much of modern educational pedogogy. Alot of praise at the expense of a well behaved dog. Wolters' book has pictures, is simple enough for a kid to use AND he let's you say, "NO."

This book feels right! And the proof is in the pudding--our 12 week old pup is learning to master the key commands and is already a great family member.

BUY THIS BOOK; leave the other books for new dog owners who a) need excuses for their pups; b) who are scared to be the Alpha dog; or c) who would prefer to never utter the word "no" (really, I bought a book like that insising that you say "Agghhh..." rather than "NO" since "no" had so many negative connotations...)

Folks: I was so happy to find Wolters' _Family Dog_! I had used his _Game Dog_ (though not a hunter) on a previous dog about 20 years ago, but wanted something less for the hunting set.

This book is it! Let me also say, I went to B&N and read Amazon.com and considered all of the other books that simply remind me too much of modern educational pedogogy. Alot of praise at the expense of a well behaved dog. Wolters' book has pictures, is simple enough for a kid to use AND he let's you say, "NO."

This book feels right! And the proof is in the pudding--our 12 week old pup is learning to master the key commands and is already a great family member.

BUY THIS BOOK; leave the other books for new dog owners who a) need excuses for their pups; b) who are scared to be the Alpha dog; or c) who would prefer to never utter the word "no" (really, I bought a book like that insising that you say "Agghhh..." rather than "NO" since "no" had so many negative connotations...)

I ordered this book for my son who recently got a house dog. The book was sent to him. But I know, from past experence, hhat richard wolters fooks are great. They are easy to follow and the results are outstanding.

I think the book is a good starting point. The video presents a different housebreaking method, and is far easier for the entire family to understand. The video is better for the entire family, but the book should be read by the main decision maker. We rewatch the video frequently to pick up pointers on our current stage.

I gave this book along with a lab puppy to my grandsons. It is perfect! The pictures in the book show a seven year old boy training a lab puppy. I have used Wolters' system for training hunting labs for years -- at first read, his system will also work very well for a pet. Don't be disconcerted with a 1963 copyright -- it's still very valid.

This book came recommended to me by brother who has a beautifully trained hunting lab (who does double duty as great big family dog in a teeny tiny house!). We are a dog family with many combined years of rescues and pure breeds (depending on who landed on our doorstep at the time). This current generation is the best ever thanks to methods in the Wolters books. Already our 13 week puppy is well beyond our resident geriatrics. I just bumped into the breeder we purchased her from and she stated even they are astounded just how wonderfully well-natured and confident our pup is and still retaining great drive. (The breeder, by the way, is not a fan of Wolters...due the popular criticism that floats around).



It is naive to assume all children and all dogs should be treated in the exact same manner, regardless of temperament or behavior. Agenda based criticisms of this book are as shallow as this assumption. The author of this book offers a well guided technique for training, time tested for many years now, AND possible solutions to guide owners through problem behavior. Discipline techniques are there to protect the dogs and their owners...my mother with a lame leg could be greatly injured by her 95lb Poodle if he charges past her on the stairs...as well as my 2 year old daughter. A dog that bolts from the front door may have its life ended in moments by a passing car (ask my neighbor). These measures are also only recommended IF there is a problem situation. Overlooked in criticisms are the many warnings to not over train or over discipline (your children as well) and the constant reminders for consistent and logical discipline. (I found this book a great reminder as a parent as well).



I have discovered that many of Wolters fans are people whose lives depend on their dogs and their dogs lives depend on their training. His book has remained popular for many years for a good reason: it simply and effectively accommodates many people and many breeds and literally leads to a lifetime of happiness.

Like any dog training book, you may come across a helpful tip here and there in this one. However, I found the training methods to be outdated. What this book does do well is to discuss very specific developmental stages, from birth onward, and explain why seven weeks is the best age to bring the puppy home. The last section on physical care was also somewhat helpful. As for the rest of it, I don't think I'll be employing any of the training methods discussed. In the parts of the book that discuss teaching manners, the author calls for "spanking," or giving your dog "a good cuff on the nose." The author says spanking with a newspaper is cruel, as it teaches the dog to fear loud noises, yet he suggests tin cans strung together to throw near the dog if he's stealing food, or barking at night, etc. So, at times, the author was contradicting himself. And I especially think that having a stranger "spank" your dog to teach him not to get into strange cars is probably dangerous, both for the stranger, and for the dog owner, liability wise. I would think a dog would not be too keen on strangers after having been man handled by one.

I was disappointed in this book for training my new pup. Far preferred the trainer Brian Kilcommons and his book Good Owners, Great Dogs. I need all the nitty-gritty, not a broad brush. I felt the Wolters book was the latter and I didn't get as much out of it. Also, even my husband who has no trouble setting limits, felt that some methods (such as knocking the dog down the stairs if it tried to pass you) were unnecessarily harsh. We want a well-behaved dog, not one with a broken back. We also felt setting the dog up for an improbable dog-napping and having a stranger start hitting the dog for getting in the open door was way out there.

I was disappointed in this book for training my new pup. Far preferred the trainer Brian Kilcommons and his book Good Owners, Great Dogs. I need all the nitty-gritty, not a broad brush. I felt the Wolters book was the latter and I didn't get as much out of it. Also, even my husband who has no trouble setting limits, felt that some methods (such as knocking the dog down the stairs if it tried to pass you) were unnecessarily harsh. We want a well-behaved dog, not one with a broken back. We also felt setting the dog up for an improbable dog-napping and having a stranger start hitting the dog for getting in the open door was way out there.

I L-O-V-E this book! Our new dog, Gus (a redbone hound/ Rhodesian ridgeback mix) is a COMPLETE JOY and has been well trained since he was JUST SEVERAL WEEKS OLD because of Richard Wolters' advice! The neighbors call me "The Dog Whisperer!" As far as the review that said never spank a dog or child? PUL-EASE! Instead of self promoting, the confused (but well meaning) gentleman should read Bringing Up Boys by, Dr.James Dobson. I personally am STILL in the process of raising FOUR sons... one blissfully married, one at the University of Virginia, one at the United States Naval Academy and one a gifted junior in High School. They have ALL at one time or another THANKED us for disciplining them and loving them with parameters! If you want a GREAT dog get THIS book. A GREAT child- PRAY and have the guts to guide them!

I L-O-V-E this book! Our new dog, Gus (a redbone hound/ Rhodesian ridgeback mix) is a COMPLETE JOY and has been well trained since he was JUST SEVERAL WEEKS OLD because of Richard Wolters' advice! The neighbors call me "The Dog Whisperer!" As far as the review that said never spank a dog or child? PUL-EASE! Instead of self promoting, the confused (but well meaning) gentleman should read Bringing Up Boys by, Dr.James Dobson. I personally am STILL in the process of raising FOUR sons... one blissfully married, one at the University of Virginia, one at the United States Naval Academy and one a gifted junior in High School. They have ALL at one time or another THANKED us for disciplining them and loving them with parameters! If you want a GREAT dog get THIS book. A GREAT child- PRAY and have the guts to guide them!

Great book. Not the first book we have used. Hunting Dog was also wonderful. The only part we did not agree with was the paper training. We just used lots of praise and a firm loud no, accompanied by a run outside. Worked wonders and you dont have to worry about paper laying on the floor becoming wet. Highly recommend this author.

As soon as I read this book, I just fell in love it! I've had plans for the past (well, actually since I was 2, but no official plans) year to get a dog, but I've been trying to find a traning book that I actualy agree with. Almost every other one I've ever read (or I should say STARTED to read) I've put down in frustration because I just didn't agree with what they did.
But I agree with virtually everything Mr. Wolters reccomends, and the fact that his 6 year old daughter does most of the traning, as you see throughout the book, shows the simplicity of the methods.
But the one thins that people might disagree with is the spaking. I know that is a very controversial issue. Just as you wouldn't "spank" a toddler if it didn't know it was doing anything wrong, you should never spank a dog if it hasn't been told to stop before. And it states that in the book! I don't see what some Doctor had put up such a fuss about it.

But I give the book five stars because it is very good and aslo just very entertaining to read.

Mr Wolters has what it takes. Tried and true simple methods
that work.

You may not agree with every word he says...but try even
a few of the methods he suggests...and you may find yourself
quite surprised...I sure did.

I have found tremendous joy in training and raising my Lab pup! I have read Water Dog and Family Dog (and watched the Gun Dog Video) and have found all to be excellent training manuals. What is most interesting to me is that really, the trainer is the one doing the most learning... the learning comes natural to the dog. So essentially, the books are teaching YOU how to most effectively work with your companion. Most everyone will ask me when I'll take my pup to school... I tell them that I most likely will not have to because Wolters' books (and many other resources) have taught me that training is simply a matter of devotion to the dog. It does take time and effort but no more than that which is necessary (recommended in this book 10-15 minutes a day, gradually increasing time as the pup grows older) to have a disciplined, happy member of the family. Oh yes, and the training done in this book is by Wolters' 6 year old daughter which illustrates his point in just how elementary the training can be.