Retriever Training Resources

There are many ways to successfully train your Flat-Coat for retriever and upland work. The training resources provided here include a wide range of training approaches and methods. New or inexperienced trainers are highly encouraged to begin their journey by reading The Next Chapter: Conversations Along The Training Journey series, written by Field Committee members and long-time trainers Flat-Coat trainers Linda Reynolds & Judy Teskey. We also suggest consulting with an experienced training group member or a mentor to choose training resources that best meet your needs and are in the best interest of your dog.

The resources listed include articles, online training sites, and books, including some that are older but provide time-tested methods. Additional information about these resources can generally be found through online searches.

Happy training, have fun, and enjoy the training journey with your dog!

The Next Chapter: Conversations Along The Training Journey
Linda Reynolds & Judy Teskey – A series of field training articles and useful index that originally appeared in the FCRSA newsletter, that provides a comprehensive approach to training your dog from basics through advanced retriever work.

1. Series Table of Contents
2. Training Principles & Framework
3. Framework Graphic (Fall 2021)
4. Nature of the Dog (Winter 2022)
5. Communication & Teamwork (Spring 2022)
6. Evaluation (Fall 2022)
7. Training Plans (Winter 2023)
8. Improving Your Game (Spring 2023)
9. Mentors (Fall 2023)
10. Two Drills (Winter 2024)
11. Summary Review of the Articles (Summer 2024)
12. Series Index
13. Complete Next Chapter Series (single document)

Upland/Flushing Training Articles
Janet Ciarico – If you’re interested in pursuing training to prepare for upland hunting or to participate in the Spaniel Hunt Test (SHT) program, check out this series of articles that originally appeared in the FCRSA newsletter.

• What Flushing/Upland Work and Spaniel Hunt Test Are All About:
• Regulations for AKC Hunt Tests for Spaniels:
• The AKC “Hunting Style of the Flat-Coated Retriever”:
• Flushing! Column: Fundamentals of the Flushing Game:
• Understanding Scent and Wind:

Fetch It Up
Doris Ehret – A series of articles on how to get started with a Flat Coat puppy. https://fcrsa.org/fetch-it-up/

Online Learning & Webinars

• Kevin Cheff’s Retriever Coach training resources and online app:
• Pat Nolan’s training resources for From The Pup Up:
• Pat Burns’s training resources and webinars:
• Bill Hillman’s training resources:
• UK Ladies Working Dog Group gun dog training resources and membership: 
• UK trainer Ben Randall’s gun dog app: 

Sound Beginnings – DVD
Jackie Mertens – Younglove Publications
A comprehensive training program for retriever puppies from 7 weeks to 8 months of age; also useful for inexperienced older dogs.

Retriever Puppy Training: Training Puppies for Hunting Tests or Hunting Companion
Clarice Rutherford and Cherylon Loveland – Alpine Publications, c. 1988
Provides a step-by-step teaching schedule to help retriever puppies get started in retriever training.

Total Retriever Training (5 DVD & manual set) (VHS format)
Mike Lardy – YBS Media
Recently revised and expanded –Comprehensive step by step training methods, from basic through
advanced training.

Total Retriever Marking(3 DVD & manual set)
Mike Lardy – YBS Media
Training methods for teaching marking skills, from puppies through advanced, using field demonstrations and discussions to describe a complete sequential marking program and to explore a wide variety of marking topics.

Total E-Collar Conditioning (DVD) (VHS format)
Mike Lardy – YBS Media
Method for teaching electronic collar conditioning and use with an emphasis on retaining a dog’s positive attitude.

Training with Mike Lardy, Bound Articles, Volumes I, II, & III (Vols. I & II)
Mike Lardy – YBS Media
Sequence of articles reprinted from the Retriever Journal. Vol. I covers training a retriever from puppy through transition work with a step by step program for force fetch, electronic collar conditioning, and teaching handling & advanced work for field trials or hunt tests. Vol II focuses on solving common problems for competition. Vol. III covers marking and handling topics, and diverse areas such as training pond design.

Retriever Training
Jim and Phyllis Dobbs, Alice Woodyard – Tri-Tronics Inc., c. 1993
A training method from puppy through transition, using the electronic collar. Includes diagrams of drills and concepts useful even if you choose to not use an electronic collar.

TriTronics DVD Series (1 DVD) The Trained Retrieve Part 1 “hold” & Part II “fetch”
Jim and Phyllis Dobbs, Alice Woodyard – Tri-Tronics Inc.
A step-by step demonstration of teaching “hold” and “fetch” using the electronic-collar. Demonstrates reactions to collar corrections.

Retriever Training Basics (2 DVDs)
Danny Farmer and Judy Aycock
Step-by-step comprehensive basics program, with drills demonstrated.

Smartwork for Retrievers, Volume I: Basic and Transition
Evan Graham – Rush Creek Press
Fundamentals from puppy training through basics and early-to-mid transition training.

Smartwork, Volume II: Secrets of the Pro
Evan Graham – Rush Creek Press
Late transition through advanced training, and tips on maintaining your dog’s performance over his lifetime.

Smart Fetch: The Complete Guide to All Phases of Force Fetching for Retrievers
Evan Graham – Rush Creek Press
Includes obedience, force fetch, and electronic collar conditioning use through water force.
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SmartWorks Basics Video (6 DVD set):
Evan Graham – Rush Creek Press
Includes puppy program, obedience, basic handling, water force, the Smart Work Transition Vols. I-III, and SmartFetch method.

Training and Campaigning Retrievers: The Principles and Practice
Jack M Gwaltney, Jr, MD, c.1999
Includes many aspects of training methods & learning theory to understanding how a dog thinks and reacts to elements of training, tests & trials.

The 10 Minute Retriever
John and Amy Dahl – Willow Creek Press, c. 2001
Comprehensive program starting with puppy training through blind retrieves, reflecting the authors’ belief that daily 10-minute training sessions best suit a retriever’s attention span and lead to rapid learning.

Finished Dog: A Complete Training Manual for the Finished Hunting Retriever
Charlie Jurney – Sport Dog, c. 2001
Training methods for electronic and non-electronic trainers, designed to produce a “finished” dog for hunting, trials or tests.

Building A Retriever: Drills & More
Carol Cassity – Hunt ‘Em Up
Forty drills and a section on training practices and principles. Each drill includes step-by-step directions, a diagram, problem/solution chart, materials list. Particular attention is paid to selecting drills that are within the means of most amateur trainers.

Training Retrievers Alone (2 DVD & manual set)
Dennis Voigt, YBS Media
Emphasis on training techniques useful for training alone, with or without remote devices; also includes training fundamentals, set-ups & problem solving.

Train with Attar: Training Group (DVD & Audio CD)
Andy Attar, Autumn Run Retrievers
Training philosophy, methods, & problem solving in the transition stage. Handlers receiving one-on-one feedback & assessment.

The Koehler Method of Open Obedience for Ring, Home, and Field
William R Koehler, Howell Books, c. 1971
Useful for force fetch training.

Retriever Trouble Shooting: Strategies & Solutions to Retriever Training Problems
John & Amy Dahl – Willow Creek Press, 2006
Solutions to common training problems, in the context of how retrievers learn, and maintaining motivation.

Retriever Training Drills for Marks
James B. Spencer – Alpine Publications
A collection of drills and exercises for marking geared toward training for hunting and hunt tests. Each drill is diagramed, with explanation of purpose, prerequisites, necessary equipment, and pitfalls to avoid.

Training Retrievers for Marshes and Meadows
James B. Spencer – Alpine Publications
Includes puppy training, basic obedience training, play retrieving, simple marked retrieves, gun proofing, introducing birds and decoys, force-breaking, marks, blinds, and more.

Retriever Training for the Duck Hunter
Robert Milner – Safari Press (Out of Print)
Comprehensive method for training from puppy to advanced levels for hunting or testing. Step by step instruction focuses on the special relationship that develops between a hunter and his dog.

American Kennel Club Rules and Regulations for Retriever Hunt Tests, and for Retriever Field Trials
Available at www.akc.org.

FCRSA WC/WCX Guidelines
Available at FCRSA Guidelines

Retriever Working Certificate Training
Clarice Rutherford, Branstad and Whicker – Alpine Publications, c. 1986
(Out of print, but used copies may be located)
A primer that defines basic terminology and outlines a basic program to train for the WC and WCX tests.

The Art and Science of Handling Retrievers (2 DVD & manual set)
Dave Rorem – YBS Media
Focuses on handler responsibilities, communication with the dog, analyzing the elements of tests. Useful for both field trials and hunt tests.

Retriever Training Tests
James B. Spencer – Alpine Publications, 2nd ed., c. 1997
Explains different types of tests, and illustrates environmental factors affecting performance. Enables novices to understand the subtleties of the tests they encounter at field trials, hunting tests, working certificate tests, and in hunting.

Motivational Training for the Field
Lori Jolly – Rosehillretrievers.com
Positive methods for puppy training through advanced work.

Positive Gun Dogs: Clicker Training for Sporting Breeds
Jim Barry, Mary Emmen, Susan Smith – Sunshine Books, c. 2007
Focuses on training in a systematic manner, with force-free methods and exercises for all stages.

Retriever Training: A Back-to-Basics Approach
Robert Milner – Ducks Unlimited, Inc.
Back-to-basics approach, teaching how to pick a pup that will likely be calm and obedient, and then training for the hunting and at-home companion. Combines theory about how dogs learn with commonsense, persistent training methods.

The Working Retrievers
Thomas Quinn – Lyons Press, c. 1983
Training and drills, developed before e-collar use. Dog stories, and histories of retriever breeds, as well. Beautifully illustrated.