The Koehler Method of Guard Dog Training; An Effective & Authoritative Guide for Selecting, Training & Maintaining Dogs in Home Protection, Plant Security, Police, & Military Work

5 Comments

1. Dennis Barrett says:

   August 9, 2010 at 11:18 am

   neither are big dogs. It’s important to remember that this particular book is aimed at training large aggressive breeds. Yes, you can get your poodle to sit and stay and fetch using other methods. But this is a method for making sure your hundred pound Rottweiler obeys you when failure can mean tragedy. I’ve trained every one of my dogs using this book’s methods. I’ve had German Sheperds, Rottweilers, Pit Bulls and Filas. Every one of them has responded perfectly to the training. I’m not a breeder or a professional trainer, but my dogs’ obedience has been equal to or better than any of the trained dogs that I’ve encountered. Some of the methods aren’t pleasant; training soldiers for combat isn’t usually a pleasant process, either. But the point of effective training isn’t the trainer’s assuaging his or her Inner Child; it’s about developing RELIABLE control over a potentially lethal animal. The huggy-wuggy here’s-a-puppy treat methods don’t work when the animal is under strong external stimulation. Not a week goes by that I don’t see the failure of the “kindhearted” methods, just in the course of walking my dog in the local parks.
   
   The main thing with the Koehler method is to follow it exactly!
   
   Some of the detractors here have deliberately lied about the contents of the book. For example, he doesn’t advocate beating a dog”for 30 minutes”. He advocates hitting the dog sharply on the muzzle if it turns on the trainer. Anyone who thinks that you can correct that kind of misplaced aggression with hugs, treats and “bad-doggies” should reconsider owning a large breed.
   
   It’s important to note that Koehler devotes a good bit of time early in the book on selecting dogs with suitable temperament.
   
   In short, I recommend this book without reservation to those with ANY breed of dog who are willing to trade a bit of unpleasantness for a well adjusted dog with rock solid obedience.
   Rating: 5 / 5
2. Anonymous says:

   August 9, 2010 at 12:58 pm

   This is two books in one. One half is actually “The Koehler Method of Dog Training” which has been “the standard” for basic obedience training of military, police and other working dogs since World War II when Koehler pioneered them. The goal is to develop stability and obedience in a dog so that you have it “when you need it the most.” David Dikeman’s dog training method is a polished version of Koehler’s method. The other half of this book details how to turn even the tinest dog into a man eater. Koehler shows how to prevent your agressive trained dog from being dangerously unpredictable and unstable. Instead, he shows how, with the help of additional trainers playing the part of bad guy, to create specific situations in which the dog is trained exactly how to respond and how not to. This book pretty much stops at guard dog training and doesn’t delve too much into protection or attack training, but it does establish the principles. Unshakable obedience must be developed in a dog before giving it aggression training and Koehler shows you how.
   Rating: 5 / 5
3. vic nicolas says:

   August 9, 2010 at 1:27 pm

   I’m a professional dog trainer, training dogs mostly for obedience and occasionally for protection work. I found Mr. Koehler’s dog book a rare book of so many straight-forward, no nonsense very effective methods of dog training. His throw-chain method is, I think the signature part of his obedience training. He is one of the best I guess. I rate his book 5 star. If you want a fast,effective, and long lasting dog training, try his book. You’ll be thankful you did.
   Rating: 5 / 5
4. Anonymous says:

   August 9, 2010 at 1:58 pm

   I thought this book was excellent. I heartily disagree with those that think this book as somehow cruel. I have trained two dobermans (house dogs who sleep by my bed) and even utilized many of these sound psychological methods in raising well adjusted and behaved kids as well. The method works well, is humane and focuses on many positive aspects like building courage, confidence etc.

   Yes, once the dog knows better…. it is unacceptable to command “sit, sit, sit fluffy”. One time and it should be done. Otherwise the dog is not trained. This is especially important with dogs that are large and powerful.

   My dogs have been extreamly well trained, well adjusted, in control (a marvel to others who have lesser trained or uncontrollable animals) and yes happy and confident. Check it out.
   Rating: 5 / 5
5. Paul Pleau says:

   August 9, 2010 at 2:20 pm

   An excellent book. I have use it to train my Dobermans and German Shepherds with excellent results. All of my dogs have turned out to be very reliable and well adjusted and have never failed to respond to command. For those who feel that some of the methods are “outdated”, consider that almost all police agencies, and the armed forces still use his methods.
   Rating: 5 / 5