Hey Pup, Fetch it Up! The Complete Retriever Training Book by Bill Tarrant Book Recommendation

Published in 1979, Hey Pup, Fetch it Up! is a foundational book in the world of retrieving. Although if you asked a pro today it more than likely would not be a recommended first read. Why you asked? As with all sports rules of the game alter, techniques change over time. So why is it that a well-respected successful field hunter and Boykin Breeder recommended it as a first read as I was entering the game? Looking back, I believe it was one of his personal favorites when long ago he entered the journey of training retrievers. Which enabled him to hunt in National field trials, such as at Aems Plantation on horseback with his working dogs flushing game.

Mr. Charles Shelton introduced himself as he parked his car with two kennels of Boykins in our Class V protected Wetland Management Area where I worked. He wanted to tour the museum with his pups and have a photo made in front of the original Lake Boat. I mentioned that I had transferred to the area a few years back, becoming interested in the cultural history of the area. Local families had throughout history made a living from the lake as it was located directly on the Mississippi Flyway. Known for historical records of waterfowl passing over each winter the community flourished when hunters visited each season. What made it worth the drive, the early rise from a warm bed to go out into the winter storms to chase the fowl? This is the cultural history which I wanted to understand. I already had a passion for the wildlife and waterfowl but to better understand the hunt. That was the next goal I had for myself. To do that as a hobby, I knew a retriever would make it worth all the effort of the "hunt" to better understand this culture for me.

As I read Fetch it up Pup with my new Boykin Spaniel Pup lying beside me sleeping. I took notes, dogeared pages, highlighted sentences dreaming of the tomorrows to come. We began with simple commands in the front yard, a kiddy pool, a soft cloth bumper and a check cord with the book tossed on the grass beside us. It was all laughs, puppy/ kindergarten fun.

Later came drills, introducing your pup to a cane (not for intimidation, but so it would get use to you carrying items that would later be replaced with a gun or a remote, etc.) Exposing your pup to live gun fire, safety check cords for the first time in the field, and tons more practical advice.

Drills, tools, commands, this book covers everything in my opinion. Chapters having not only catchy titles but easy to understand and flip to the correct page needed.

CH 1, 2& 3 focus is on picking out the right pup for you, the right breed and temperament.

CH 4 speaks on health issues

CH 5 Housebreaking Pup

CH 6 The First Trainer and helpful items to have

CH7 Before the Cast introducing treats, cast, gun, cane, first commands

CH8 First Fetch

CH9 Some Bite with our Bark speaks on tools for training and how to lead

CH10 Marks

CH11 Water

CH12 Force Breaking

CH13 Blind Retrieve

CH14 Never Argue with Success (to include drills and learning hold a line)

CH15 Wet Pup speaks on e-collars, water blind,

CH16 Problem with Problems speaks on gun shy, injuries, disease, hard mouth, etc

CH17 / 18 Health Education and Welfare/First Aid

CH19 Hunting Pup

CH20 Trialing Pup AKC, Field Trials and Dreams

Are there other programs out there that pros recommend today? Absolutely. Have I used another program? I have! I recommend sticking to one for the training of each pup and not switching/hopping from program to program. In saying that, I plan to review a couple of others which I would recommend that are a bit more modern. I hope this book review was helpful and insightful. Let me know if you have read it or plan to. https://www.amazon.com/shop/profile/amzn1.account.AFQAM3453I5HVN5HUZNMWS4LISXA/curation/4934ca35-b23a-4346-9ad7-536fb911dca9?ref_=customerprofile