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Showing and Gundog books for beginners

5K views 16 replies 9 participants last post by  sarahjane16 
#1 ·
Can anyone recommend any good books for beginners on Showing and also Gundog training? I don't want anything over-complicated, more like an idiot's guide :D

Have had a look on Amazon but there are so many to choose from, so thought I would ask on here for recommendations.
 
#2 ·
JohnW's book has to be the best in terms of an introduction to gundog training.

As for the showing book, I don't know - I think its much better to get out and about both to ringcraft and to shows (just to watch etc.) and learn that way. I bought a book on showing and its been no help whatsoever, also beware - lots of the showing books are American and as such contain different info to what you'd need to know in this country in relation to procedure, classes and the like. Having said this I have assumed you meant a book on how to show, what to do, classes to enter etc. and maybe thats not what you're looking for and you may want something relating to general labrador conformation?
 
#5 ·
DVD’s can be better than books, because so much of dog work is about body language and the way you handle a situation. “Drakeshead Way” basic and advanced is about as good as it gets for gundog training in my opinion.

I’ve been musing of late that so much of what is described as gundog training is simply about having a well behaved dog. :wink:

John
 
#7 ·
rach_willibob said:
JohnW's book has to be the best in terms of an introduction to gundog training.As for the showing book, I don't know - I think its much better to get out and about both to ringcraft and to shows (just to watch etc.) and learn that way. I bought a book on showing and its been no help whatsoever, also beware - lots of the showing books are American and as such contain different info to what you'd need to know in this country in relation to procedure, classes and the like. Having said this I have assumed you meant a book on how to show, what to do, classes to enter etc. and maybe thats not what you're looking for and you may want something relating to general labrador conformation?
Thanks Rach, will have to get my hands on John's book. With regards to showing, thats what I was thinking of - something on how to show and what to do etc., starting out with a puppy :wink:
 
#10 ·
John's book can be bought from furbabies - all the proceeds go to NW Lab Rescue.

The showing stuff - you really need to get out and about with someone and get to ringcraft with your puppy, its a shame you are so far away as you would be welcome to come along with me when I take Jake. Your trainer at ringcraft is best placed to give you tips on how to present your dog etc. for me its not something you can get from a book.
 
#12 ·
the gundog club stuff is the most straight forward step by step guide to training, but im also a fan of the older classics like joe irvings gundogs their learning chain. the older ones make a good read and little gems of training advise are fantastic but it is more a case of reading between the lines with those type of book
 
#16 ·
books

I just received the Drakeshead dvds a few days back and can reccomend them. I used to show and have to say you will learn very little from a book if starting out. You need to study the breed standard then get to a few shows to see what is involved. Try to get to a class where you can learn ring craft. It really is hands on more than something you can learn from a book.
 
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