|
The Koehler Method of Dog Training | 
 enlarge | Author: William R. Koehler
Creator: R. T. Yankie
Publisher: Howell Book House
Category: Book
List Price: $17.95
Buy Used: $4.50
You Save: $13.45 (75%)
New (4) Used (55) Collectible (8) from $4.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  116 reviews
Sales Rank: 77842
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 208
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9
ISBN: 0876056575
Dewey Decimal Number: 636.7088
EAN: 9780876056578
ASIN: 0876056575
Publication Date: June 1, 1962
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Book Description
The book that pioneered a uniquely effective dog training method-back in print at lastFirst published in 1962, The Koehler Method of Dog Training is one of the most influential dog training books of all time. Now, Howell Book House is pleased to reissue this book for a new generation of trainers and dog lovers. Featuring a new cover design and new introduction, the book shows how to use both positive and negative reinforcement to form a strong, joyful bond between dog and handler. The Koehler method remains unmatched in its reliability, especially when applied to difficult dogs and intractable behavior problems. William Koehler was a dog training innovator who worked as the chief animal trainer for Walt Disney Studios and the training director for one of the world's largest dog clubs.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 111 more reviews...
 The Sadistic Method of Dog Training September 3, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I checked this book out from my local library and right from the start something smelled offensive - this book. My goodness, I feel the methods in this book of training are not needed.
I have read other books and none are like this and none have the problems this author claims you will have. If you care for your dogs well being you will do good to follow other books.
 Excellent lessons for allowing a dog to learn September 1, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was introduced to this method as well as this book in a dog training class that used the Kohler method 26 years ago. As I have read the many reviews provided here, I am amused at the number of people who seem to naively believe that anything that old is "old school", "outdated" as somehow less enlightened. At the same time, I have also observed obedience and agility competition where dogs have been "trained" by these more enlightened experts where dogs have been trying to get their title for 3 or more years because they still have not learned to pay attention to their handler and follow commands. While clearly some disagree with me, I prefer to train a dog to be reliable as well as happy and not just an idiot who may or may not follow his handler's wishes depending on the distractions of the day.
Here is what I like about the book:
Each chapter builds on the previous lesson, starting with the most basic lesson of getting a dog to watch its owner to finally getting a dog to obey long down/stays or sit/stays off leash for 25 minutes as well as well-behaved leash work and off leash work.
Each chapter gives guided instruction, often with illustrations, for the owner to follow in order to get results. These instructions are broken down very precisely in mini-step format with suggestions for practice and lead to a logical understanding of how the dog interprets the lesson and expected behavior. Each chapter/lesson takes approximately 7 days of daily practice of 30 minutes daily for the dog to master. Usually the first 3 days of a lesson are done in a quiet environment. Days 4-7 increase the level of distractions depending on the dog's success with the goal to always be 100% reliability. Kohler says that a dog is reliable, when he has properly performed a lesson 50 times with complete accuracy--so lots of daily practice is very important as is lots of verbal praise.
The basic premise of the book is to begin each lesson in an unfamiliar yet quiet environment and to only increase the level of distractions as the dog demonstrates competence. This premise allows the dog and owner to work in a very positive way to assure success.
The choke collar is an integral part of this method because it allows the dog to receive corrections only for not following his handler. The handler makes no physical contact with the dog, yet correction is immediate and lasts only seconds. The dog quickly learns to anticipate a correction for making and error, and self-corrects quickly to avoid correction at all. You could not ask for a better thinking dog than one who does something correctly!
The methods emphasizes constant verbal praise for for doing well at every level. You never use food or toys or other sounds other than your voice, foot movement, or hand signals in training for cues or for praise. This encourages the dog to pay attention to you at all times and eagerly wait to be told how good he is. You will always know when you see a properly trained Kohler dog because it walks with a happy tail and maintains a continuous eye contact with his handler every few seconds without any sign of fear or agression.
Kohler trained dogs automatically sit each time an owner stops--to visit a neighbor, stop at a crosswalk, etc. Kohler trained dogs do not take off from the owners and remain at their side out of choice--because they have become a team where dog and owner respect one another.
In each chapter, Kohler anticipates what a dog may do at the challenge phase of that lesson. This is a normal stage of learning, where a dog may decide to wait a little longer to respond, may purposely tangle the leash, may even try to leave his handler or lie down. Kohler shows owners how to quickly deal with the challenge and turn it into an opportunity to praise the dog for deciding to do the right thing by using the choke collar. Once again, the dog's response to anticipating a correction is immediate compliance all on his own, so the opportunity for getting praise is immediate as well.
Why the bad rap from others?
Kohler wrote this book after having retrained German Shepherds returning from World War II to be non-agressive and instead become dependable dogs for tracking for police as well as family pets. Because of that fact, he has two chapters at the end of the book dealing with the overly aggressive dog, and admits that these tactics are only to be used on dogs who are in their last resort to life and may be euthanized for public safety if their behavior cannot be changed. These tactics are for dogs who have refused his other more positive tactics on dogs that have proven to be very dominant and likely not suitable for home placement at all. Many people seem to think they should read these chapters first in order to get a sense of what Kohler was about and get a very inaccurate picture.
Using Kohler's methods, I have trained 3 Samoyeds, 7 Papillons, a Yorkshire terrier, a Wire Fox Terrier, and an Akita with my small 5'1" 105 pound frame. The Akita had been taken to an obedience school by its owner without success, and she was not even able to control him for routine daily walks; within 3 weeks, she could not believe the difference in the dog after learning the Kohler Methods.
We have seen in many facets of life, that methods used "in the old days" are not nearly as ineffective as some who are trying to sell their own approach would claim. If you are really interested in learning how a dog thinks, and how to train your dog to be a reliable part of your life whether in the family room or in the middle of a catastrophe, get the Kohler Book of Dog Training. Read it cover to cover, get the supplies for training, then seriously sit down and follow each chapter without cutting any corners. You will not be disappointed.
Trained 3 labs with this book.. July 11, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I've trained 3 labs with this book, and am working on the fourth! Of course Labs are happy to please, but they also can remain perpetual two-year olds without training! I started my labs very young (even younger than Koehler recommends) because I was afraid they'd get too big to correct correctly. However, I'm now working on a hyper, all-legs 1.5 yr old dog and am so pleasantly surprised that the method works just as well as before!
I've received numerous compliments when out walking with my dogs and they are heeling well, not darting off, and returning on command when off-leash. I even had a two-year old in diapers neighbor girl "walk" my dog around the block on many occasions....she (the dog) was that well-behaved! (Well, the girl is a sweetie too).
If you really read the book, do what it says, CONSISTENTLY, you will find you have an animal that is happy, trustworthy, and who you can be truly proud to show off. There is nothing in this book that harms your dog....it is just teaching him/her who is really the boss. And there is an added bonus that your pockets won't smell like dog treats!
worked wonders June 19, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
My husband and I got this book several years ago when we moved from the country, where our four BIG dogs ran loose, to the city where they had to be on a leash. I often had to walk all four of them myself and was used to being dragged down the street. It was a dangerous situation for them, me, and our neighbors.
We followed the instructions in the first Chapter. After a couple of weeks of preparing them (the preparation is key), they had their first real training session. After ONE correction they were like new dogs - NEVER pulling on the leash again. Our daily walks became so enjoyable for them and me. We did not use any further Chapters since we really just wanted to leash train them.
I'll admit I was initially squeamish about using this approach. I now believe it is more humane to use an approach like this properly, rather than spending weeks or months on techniques that frustrate the owner and dog. The results really were amazing and I highly recommend this book.
Dog Training January 14, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is one of the best ways to train your dog. I used this method in a class taught many years ago and that dog was the best trained dog I have ever had. Unfortunately, the place closed. I tried another method of training on my new dog but got this book because nothing compares to this type of training.
|
|
|
Web Design, Maintenance, and Hosted by K9Sites.com | |