Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I'm just an amateur, but I've tried a few well-known approaches to dog training and just didn't get results. I think this was mostly do to it just not clicking with me, maybe even more so than for the dog. The treats, the incessant positive reinforcement, constant command repetition--it felt like I was getting punished.
Finally, when searching for a new method for my brand new German Shepherd puppy, I came across the Koehler method. Championed by many, hated too, I took a chance. When I started reading, I began to smile. Something about his style simply matched my own. It just made sense. He had an answer for everything. I no longer walked out to begin training, hoping the dog did what he was supposed to. I knew what to do, and if he did the wrong thing he would pay, not me, and w/ a quick cinch of the collar. It isn't cruel, either. A couple of hard cinches is preferable to hundreds of tugs, pulls, and shouting sessions.
The dog is happy to see me getting out the gear and trots over happily to begin every session. It's taken some time, but it's been rewarding for both of us, getting to spend that consistent time learning one another. I've now begun the off-leash training portion and it's been a breeze.
Note: I have followed the updated Koehler technique that's not in the book but used by many modern Koehler-authorized trainers: using a remote trainer instead of a throw-chain for the off-leash transition.
The only knock I see is that it's written so conversationally that you can't just find the bullet points and proceed. But then again, Bill probably just wanted you to read the whole thing.
Find a copy of this book and train a dog that will actually pay attention to you. He won't have to guess what you want, he'll just understand it naturally for himself.
Click Here to see more reviews about: The Koehler Method of Dog Training: Certified Techniques by Movieland's Most Experienced Dog Trainer
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