Expert Obedience Training for Dogs, Fourth Edition | 
 enlarge | Authors: Winifred Gibson Strickland, Winifred G. Strickland
Publisher: Howell Book House
Category: Book
List Price: $29.99
Buy New: $16.80
You Save: $13.19 (44%)
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Rating:  18 reviews
Sales Rank: 125361
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 4
Pages: 308
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1
ISBN: 0764525166
Dewey Decimal Number: 636.70887
UPC: 785555863613
EAN: 9780764525162
ASIN: 0764525166
Publication Date: February 1, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New, Perfect Condition, Please allow 4-14 business days for delivery. 100% Money Back Guarantee, Over 1,000,000 customers served.
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Product Description
The Latest Edition of a Classic Dog Training Book Learn how to communicate more effectively with your dog using the time-tested training method of the most successful Obedience competitor in history. Winifred Stricklands humane, commonsense approach to dog training applies to all breeds of dogs, large and small. And now its updated to include training for the latest AKC Obedience exercises. Complete with helpful training tips, answers to frequently asked questions, and more than 170 photographs, this is an indispensable resource for everyone-pet owners, Novice competitors, Open enthusiasts, Utility contenders, and Obedience instructors.
A Howell Dog Book of Distinction
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| Customer Reviews: Read 13 more reviews...
 Out-dated at best, horrifying at worst! September 23, 2008
Schutz
[While not worthy of such, this book recieves one star simply because Amazon demanded that I rate it.]
While her methods may have won her and her dogs multiple awards in the 1960's, Winifred's harsh training style is out-dated and inappropriate given the less "hands-on" methods that science has found to work best for all mammals, not just dogs...
In this book, the author preaches physical punishment (slapping, hitting, jerking, pushing, pulling, "scruffing", etc), often coupled with in-your-dog's-face vocal reprimands, and she recommends doing it "as often as necessary", even to very young puppies.
You'll find lots of useless information and even more bragging, and if you follow the "steps" as the author suggests, you're garenteed to damage whatever relationship you have with your dog beyond repair - this type of "training" will teach even the toughest, hardest dogs that you are dangerous. I highly doubt that any worthy dog owner, whether trying to better their housepet's manners or trying to earn a formal title, would be eager to intentionally frighten or physically harm their puppy or dog.
I've been a professional trainer for over 15 years, and used to use the "J&P" (jerk & praise) methods with limited success - I watched dogs pass with flying colors one moment, and crumble the next. Back then, it was frustrating and often infuriating, but I know now that they sometimes crumbled for the same reason they sometimes excelled: anxiety and fear of aversives.
While there is no such thing as truely positive training (don't let those "fluffy" trainers fool you), clicker training and using rewards (which doesn't just mean treats, folks) has scientifically proven highly successful for a variety of mammalian species. IT WORKS, and it works 100% of the time for 100% of dogs. It takes far less time to train a dog using rewards than it does to train a dog using aversives and negative punishment, and for two simple reasons: NO ONE WORKS FOR FREE, and EMOTIONAL STRESS HINDERS LEARNING. Believing that your dog works "just to please you" or just "because s/he should" is the equivilent of your boss believing that you go to work every day just to make your boss happy - it's ignorant, arrogant, and egotistical, to say the least. Mental and emotional stress trigger the "fight or flight" reaction that ALL mammals possess, and once that button has been pushed, learning is impossible, causing you frustration and causing your dog to move into panic mode...
While I could easily go on about this, I'll stop here. This book may be useful for historical purposes, but for your dog's sake, learn about the science behind canine behavior, learning methods, and training methods before you plunge into punishments and aversives. Or better yet, find a trainer that's well versed in ALL methods of training, and have them help you out. It may be easier for you to read just one book and jump into scolding your dog for everything he does wrong, but unless you tell him what he's doing RIGHT, in a language he can understand, he'll never learn anything other than to fear you.
Why they keep putting out "new" editions of this book is beyond me! July 30, 2008
M. Zubel (Northeastern Utah)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
If you happen upon this book or feel the need to purchase it, PLEASE read it with a grain of salt (or lots). I would pass on this book...for sure! No one should treat animals they have taken into their homes the way Strickland recommends at times.
First off, the author seems to brag about her own dogs and her own work with them through the years a little too much to be objective or even necessary. For instance, she has four pages (mostly pictures of her dogs doing things most dogs will never have the opportunity to do with four large paragraphs of text) about the importance of teaching your dog to swim, but yet only has three small sentences (less than a third of a page with the subtitle) about teaching your dog to come when called. The section about TEACHING YOUR DOG TO RIDE IN A CAR is a full page long without any pictures, but sections on biting and jumping up are half that and really only for those who may have never owned a dog--not necessarily for those who have a dog or puppy who need work in those areas. I think she has her priorities WAY out of wack!
Secondly, she actually goes so far as to tell readers not to use any other training methods but hers mentioned in the book, implying that her ways are the best. Well, I have been told by many experienced dog trainers and dog owners that you need to do what works FOR YOUR DOG while also being consistent. She mentions her great success has to do with her being so consistent; however, many of her methods have big red flags on them as far as I am concerned. There is so much in the first part of this book that I actually found offensive. For example, under TEACHING YOUR DOG TO STAY AT HOME OR IN THE CAR, she actually tells readers to "slap him (your young puppy) with your hand, saying 'No, shame.' Repeat this as often as necessary." She also recommends that you have your dog in the front seat with you of your vehicle, but does not mention any proper safety restraining for the dog's safety. Strickland even contradicts herself by badmouthing handlers in dog training rings who yell at their dogs and such, then tells readers to "scold" and "reprimand him (your dog) with your voice" in the Preliminary Training Chapter. Lastly, the author also recommends squirting your dog in the face with a squirt gun if he/she misbehaves. Therefore, I think there must be WAY better training methods and books available out there.
The only reason why this book got a star was because of all the information on AKC Obedience Regulations. However, I would think that such information could be found through the AKC on-line somewhere or at least in a better hardcopy book somewhere. I have not gotten through all of the formal training section because the beginning stuff was so useless, but the little I have tried to look up was not easy to follow and/or not very helpful. I am sure I will find something useful in this book if not just bad examples as to what not to do!
Best wishes to you and your dog(s).
 superb!! if you buy only one obedience book, get this one July 2, 2008
mb (CA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This woman "knows her onions." Detailed discussion of and techniques for training for each obedience exercise. Very specific, very detailed, very applicable, very everything! No stone left unturned or unexplained. Also info on tracking, brace work, etc., which is very hard to come by. Truly superb. This is an absolute must if you are doing (or starting) obedience work. If you look at the picture of her sitting in front of a bookcase, it's wall-to-wall sterling - - all the prizes she's won. I can't remember now, but maybe she's titled 80 dogs in obedience. Impressive, whatever the number is. Impressive also describes this book. Get it. Better than any of the others I've bought and read. And I have a bookshelf full of them, all waiting for me to read so I could be disappointed, keep looking, and finally find Strickland's book. mb
Not worth the read if you know anything about training June 25, 2008
M. Tilro (Vancouver, Wa USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I bought this because I love German Shepherds, but Strickland is an old time trainer who hasn't changed. The old pictures make the book dated as it is. If youv'e been training at all or have read more updated material don't waist time or money on this.
worth owning July 25, 2007
HK (Indiana)
This is a good training book. Her methods are loving yet firm. I found it especially helpful with providing information on training a dog to heel. This book is very technical and geared towards those who wish to compete at elite level obedience competition. Those of us who own ordinary dogs can also benefit.
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