The Koehler Method of Dog Training
December 17, 2009 by Jim Trainer
Filed under Books And News
| Brand: | |||
| Average Rating |
|
ReferenceLarge Print EditionUndoubtedly one of the best books on general dog training Ive ever read. Sports AfieldA well-behaved pet is not only a joy to his owners, but is also a happy pet. The Koehler Method of Dog Training is one of the most successful dog training manuals ever published. Its main objective is to enable the reader to train his dog regardless of current conduct to a point where he and his dog will enjoy the fullest companionship possible. more info
Most reliable method
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I have had dobermans all my life and was first introduced to the Koehler method many years ago by taking a class using this method. In 40 years, I have never had anything but happy, playful, very loving and obedient dogs.
I have taken 4 of my dobes to CD and 2 to CDX (AKC sanctioned Companion Dog and Companion Dog Excellent) using this method and I recommend it for any dog, any size. If you have serious problems – people aggression, fearful, etc – you may need a professional that deals with animal behavior.
But, if you are reading the reviews here, you are probably thinking about obedience for your pet. Obedience training is a fundamental responsibility that can one day save your dog’s life, not to mention just being easier to live with, and it takes patience and understanding on your part. But, to protect your dog, this is an easy to follow, highly effective method using proven, conditioning techniques.
For example, training a dog to walk beside or slightly behind you – this may seem petty in a human’s mind, however it means a lot in a dogs mind. When a human allows a dog to walk in front of them, they are sending signals to the dog that he is leading the human. The human is pack leader – instinct tells a dog that the leader goes first. Permitting a dog to be pack leader can cause behavioral problems and an unstable dog is not a happy dog.
…but not the method for me and my dog
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
I bought this book years ago, and was a bit worried by the harshness of the methods. More recently I found myself working at a kennel where this was THE method, and when I saw it in practice and what it could lead too, I decided I was right to look elsewhere. I’m not anti-choke (training) collar and I’m not against using corrections – I just prefer not choking my dog and I prefer showing my dog what I want, reinforcing goodness with rewards and mistakes with “oops”.
A must for training a difficult aggressive breed!!!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Buying this book was the best decision I could have made. I have a Cane Corso that no trainer has been able to help me with. With this book I have seen more progress than with the $1000 trainer I had hired. I would recommend buying and reading this book before wasting money on a trainer. My dog will not listen to anyone but me so you can see why a trainer was not any help for me. People who say that this method is inhumane has not read the whole book. This method is used as a last resort for many difficult and aggressive breeds that other methods have failed. This book will also help you understand how a dog interprets certain behaviors from their owners. I really hope this helps others as much as it has helped me.
Only for those with strong stomachs
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
I picked up this book in the library. I consider myself pretty open-minded about dog training.
I believe that we can use similar “corrections” that a mother dog would use or adult dogs would use with each other and be perfectly OK. I bit of a startle or mild pain is not a bad thing. But, when I got to page 38 where he advocates using a length of washer hose with a wooden dowel in it to strike a dog on the muzzle to correct some biting behaviors, I reached my limit. If you are trying to save yourself from a dog attack, then fine. But, this is supposed to be a correction??
Maybe I am just a too tender-hearted person, but there has got to be better ways than this. I have no doubt that done exactly as described, the dog would “behave”, but only through blind fear! I don’t want a dog in that condition!
Zero stars is my rating on the part of the book I read….
great step by step
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
great basic obedience training methods. Really sets the foundations of training step by step. Make sure you read the whole book before you judge. You do what this guy says, your dog is perfect.(some of his problem solving at the end of the book may work but its too harsh for me. it definitly shows the era of this book. if you follow step by step his training method you won’t ever need to address any of those problems. This method really turns your dog into a receiver anxios for his next job/ command. i hoghly recomend it for any trainer to at least give it a read. Best book out there.
Great book
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I’ve trained three dogs and two children (now adults) using this method and they’ve all turned out great. NO, I DIDN’T USE THE CHOKE COLLAR ON THE KIDS. Just the basic idea that it is better to correct seriously the first time and get the point across once, rather than to correctly semi-seriously over and over again and have the student never learn the lesson.
Can be harsh but you don’t have to be and cookies don’t make a reliable dog
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I’ve cookie-trained my Shih Tsu and he is a well-behaved, trick loving, happy, playful, obedient companion. He also just yesterday ran across the road in front of a pickup truck while bolting to greet a neighbor. There is a time for cookies but this isn’t it. I am using Koehler’s methods but am certainly not going as far as he does. I would never hang my dog by the collar, shove his nose in water (or anything else), or hit him. I do, however, need to get it across to him that I am to be respected and obeyed or else. The psychology of Koehler’s method is very effective; you just don’t need to go as far as he does with a normal dog. Koehler and Cesar Millan have one great thing in common – they refuse to humanize a dog. I wish the rest of us would stop it as well. The next person who calls me my dog’s mommy is going to get a smack upside the head. I realized that cookie training alone almost got my dog killed. He will now be required to obey instantly when it comes to heel, sit, stay, and down. I don’t care how long it takes and there will be no cookies.
Still the best
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I have trained dogs through Utility using this system, though many years ago. I have a new puppy and am amazed by the new thinking with food rewards. With Koehler, I knew darn well that my dog would drop on command if a truck was coming. I seriously doubt anyone using “treats” would have that kind of confidence. It’s still the best way to train a dog if you want a really well trained animal.
DOGGY FREEDOM!!!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Cruel? Tied to a post for life is CRUEL! We rescued a well groomed German Shepherd, just about a year old, from traffic. Attempts to find the owner were in vain and we knew why. This beautiful animal was out of control and at 90 pounds was in control of most people. The owners didn’t want this dog back. The first attempt at training on the long line resulted in this 90 pound bundle of teeth attacking me. Attacking me just because I decided to go the opposite way he wanted to go. Were it not for the authors warning about this he would have taken my arm off or worse. Yes I dangled him to near strangulation on his training collar, remembering the authors warning that dogs who attack people get the lethal shot to doggy heaven. When he recovered we went on with five more minutes, after which the line never tightened on him again. He went on after the rest of his training to live a life of freedom in public places because he was ALWAYS under control. I forgot his leash (not needed anyway) at a nearby state park. On seeing the forest ranger I just put him at heel and pretended to be holding a leash. I might drop a leash but this dog would NEVER break from heel.
ANIMAL ABUSE- DO NOT BUY THESE BOOKS!
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
NO WAY, NO HOW. Harsh, cruel methods of dog training are UNNECESSARY and is ANIMAL ABUSE. Read Ceasar Milasn’s books (he’s known as “The Dog Whisperer”), to learn kind, effective leadership skills, in order to properly train your dog to do ANYTHING you want him/ her to do. Learning Caesar Milan’s ways has helped me teach hundreds of dogs to behave, and become housetrained, loving, mindful companions, eager to please their guardians.
The Koehler Method of Dog Training by William R. Koehler IS A WASTE OF TIME, MONEY AND YOU JUST DON’T NEED IT. IT’S ANTQUATED, UNKIND ANIMAL BULLYING. DO NOT BUY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!