Oak Hill Kennel Library

These links point to articles we've published in The Retriever Journal and elsewhere. They have not been re-formatted to match the new site design, but we are retaining them because of their popularity.

You may note that there are no current articles. This is because another site, "Gundogs Online," has pirated every article we've posted, despite copyright notices, threatening our viability as writers. We have always wanted to share what we know about dogs and training. When asked, we authorize clubs to copy and distribute our articles to their members (please do ask us if you want to do this). If we can find a way to post current articles without their being stolen, we will do so.

If you are in the market for training supplies, we recommend Dogs Afield, an ethical business with competitive prices and excellent customer service, owned and managed by retriever enthusiasts.

General Interest
Training Retrievers
Puppies

Retriever Breeds in Training: Working Traits of the Big Three, first published in The Retriever Journal, June/July, 1997.
A comparison of Labrador, Golden, and Chesapeake Bay retrievers with emphasis on working qualities and response to training. Includes several photographs.

The Genetics of Color in Labradors, first published in The Retriever Journal, June/July 1998. Explanation of the inheritance of black, chocolate, and yellow, with a brief summary of basic genetics and how to predict the colors that will result from a breeding.

Training Group Etiquette first published in The Retriever Journal, November/December 2000. Read this if you will train with a group or visit a pro. Covers many points which may not be apparent without experience, but which will be very important to your training partners. (3 pages)

How to Get Your Money's Worth Out of Professional Training, first published in The Retriever Journal, August/September 1998. Whether you decide to have your dog trained at Oak Hill Kennel or elsewhere, read this article! You will get better value for your training dollar, learn what to expect from a pro, and be more likely to be satisfied with your pro's work. (4 pages)

Myths and Misconceptions About Retrievers (text only) first published in The Retriever Journal, August/September 1997. A look at several oft-heard but inaccurate notions about retrievers.

Training Retrievers

Conflicts in Training first published in The Retriever Journal, September/October 2001. Our dogs face inherent conflicts between different commands we teach them. Learn how to minimize confusion and to make these conflicts work for you. (3 pages)

The Great Illusion (Blind Retrieves) , first published by Tri-Tronics, Inc., 1999. Understanding the challenges a retriever faces in running a blind is the key to training a good handling dog.

Force Fetching Without "The Collar" Part I , first published in The Retriever Journal, February/March 1998. Getting dogs to hold and carry a retrieving dummy without dropping it. Contains sequence of 8 photographs.

Force Fetching Without "The Collar" Part II, first published in The Retriever Journal, April/May 1998. Using the ear-pinch to condition a dog to pick up a dummy on command. 6 explanatory photographs.

Soft Dogs, first published in The Retriever Journal,December/January 1997-98. Dogs who can't take a lot of pressure in training--anecdotes, stories, and tips on how to get the best from them.

Puppies!

Puppy Retrieving: Getting Started, first published by Tri-Tronics, Inc. as Mark and Handle, May, 1999. Teaching a puppy to retrieve and fostering development of the traits most desirable in an adult gun dog.

Getting Your Puppy to Come Back, first published by Tri-Tronics, Inc. as Mark and Handle, July, 1999. Several strategies to try when your puppy experiments with not returning with the dummy or bird on a retrieve.

Introducing Puppies to Birds, Water, and Throwers, first published by Tri-Tronics, Inc. as Mark and Handle, June, 1999. Proven methods for introducing these and other aspects of hunting and retriever training.