Anyone getting into retriever training can propel his or her knowledge base and general understanding of dog behavior, as well as learning how to effectively guide it, through the information provided in the 10-minute Retriever. Further, it must be said that their approach is humane, and is directed toward the fair and empathetic treatment of dogs, using techniques proven in the field over considerable time and through extensive experience.

I have recommended it to many trainers, and will continue to do so.

Evan Graham
Retired professional dog trainer, and Author of Smartwork for Retrievers volume one: Basics and Transition, and Smartwork II, Secrets of the Pros


Excellent Retriever Training Book   January 9, 2003
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This book has answered many of the questions I had concerning training retrievers. I found it to be very informative and enjoyed the personal touch with stories of their personal dogs interlaced. I am sure this book will help you learn how to train a retriever!


I am absolutely sickened!   December 2, 2002
 50 out of 83 found this review helpful

This book is going to be used a kindling in the fireplace. Never before have I read a book on training a dog that left me feeling as bad as this one did. Let me make perfectly clear that I am not new to dog training, nor to hunting. I have trained an Akita to UDE, and I have field trained an American Water Spaniel for upland bird hunting.

The techniques described in this book are utterly inhumane. I was actually enjoying the book until I got to their section on forced retireve. Basically the philosophy here is that you create pain and stress in the dog, and the only resolution to this unpleasantness is the retireve. There is not reward for a job well done, just the relief of pain. As you progress in the training, the more pain and stress you put on the dog.

Some of the specific things that upset me in the book are:

1) Using a switch on the dog
2) Tying a dogs moth shut around a retireving dummy
3) Ear pinch (being sure to dig your thumb nail into the uderside of the ear according to their directions).
4) "Burning" (their term) the dog with an electric shock collar (I am not agains proper use of an e-collar, I just think that "burning" is a bit far).

In a nutshell, this book explains to the trainer that in order to have a good field dog, you must completely break its spirit, and individualism. Thus creating a dog that is a machine just spending its life looking to relieve pain and stress.

I will never recomend this book to anyone. I can see by the other reviews that I am in the minority. The decision must be yours.


Absolutely Outstanding   June 7, 2002
 10 out of 11 found this review helpful

A must own for all aspiring retriever trainers. The Dahl's have finally written a book that the average retriever owner can use to produce exactly what the title proclaims, an obedient and enthusiastic sporting dog. All in 10 minutes or less a day.

The "10 Minute Retriever" will guide you through a well laid out, easy to follow, systematic approach of effectively and humanely communicating with your companion. The Dahl's advocate training methods that are proven reliable while backing them with successful anecdotal stories experienced from well over a combined 30 years of professional training. Carefully following their techniques will positively uplift your new friend's attitude, confidence, and performance.

If you're desiring to spend many quality and pleasurable years to come with a true "retrieving machine", then this book will be of immense assistance to you. The "10 Minute Retriever" will surely go down in the annals of retriever training as a timeless clasic.


no nonsense guide to retriever training   May 27, 2002
 5 out of 6 found this review helpful

I thought this book was quite good. It doesn't contain alot of fluff, and it's clearly aimed at setting the basis for serious training with the potential for highly difficult tasks like those found in modern retriever field trials. You won't find a lot of feel good advice about having your dog sleep in bed with you. (On the other hand, I don't think it hurts to emphasize what can happen to a kennel blind dog).

I bristled at first at the grounding in Skinner and behaviorism as my own feeling is that the application of behaviorism to human psychology has had destructive effects in that arena, but actually it is very well thought out and sound. This book will definitely have an impact on my own training, including with adult retrievers. I'd recommend it as a solid, solid book on training retrievers from two people who obviously know how to train dogs.