Bill Koehler was the Disney Studios animal trainer for 21 years, and his work is featured prominently in the vast library of live action movies made by the studio for theatrical and television issue. He has written other books on the very straitforward task of training animals, but this book is strictly a film by film list of his challenges and humerous adventures at Disney. If you ever want to know how they staged the animal race in "Swiss Family Robinson", or got the animals to interact in "Incredible Journey", or the comedies like "The Ugly Dachsund", this is the book for you. Out of print since 1979.

Many of Koehler's methods are used still today by leading protection dog trainers around the world, and I have seen them work first hand on many dogs.

Whether or not you agree with Koehler's principles or not is a personal choice, but one thing is clear - THE METHODS IN THIS BOOK WORK QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY TO PRODUCE LASTING AND RELIABLE RESULTS.

Kohler, late chief trainer at Disney, gives instruction in obedience training first, then a discussion of why NOT to attack-train, only then advanced instruction. He warns that the dog must be chosen carefully; tells exactly how to choose. Gives warnings of the consequences, to animal and trainer, of abuse. (Trainer must be smarter than dog for these methods or any others to be effective.) He recommends a privately-owned dog be left to decide its own agression level. I've used his methods with 5 rescued dogs (1 stray) - 5 happy pets, none shy, none crazy.

This book is one of Koehler's best. It contains the most effective methods for training dogs in the three levels of protection; alert, threat and attack. This book will take you through each level of of training with easily understood explainations and pictures. If you want to protection train your dog with humane but thorough methods of training, this book is for you. I have used Mr. Koehler book for training all of my dogs and my customers dogs in my security dog company and had perfect results every time. Sylvan Malis.

I have used many different training methods over the years with several different dog breeds and have found Koehler's method of training to be 100% effective 100% of the time. I attend an obedience class with my current dog, Blue, (Aussie) two times a week and have done this for over a year. The trainer I work with uses this method in his classes and I have personally seen it be totally effective on every breed ever brought to this class. (The class is composed of puppies through seniors in every level of training.) My instructor himself states that he is not the reason that this method works but the love and praise on the dog that makes it work every time. I can honestly say that if you do love your dog, read Koehler's first book and any others he has written and them follow them exactly. There is no way you can go wrong and the bond you will form with your dog will be stronger than you ever dreamed imaginable. My dog isn't a service dog exactly but having trained him through Koehler's method has made him a valued member of my family capable of helping me with my children and many other daily responsibilities that I have. This method, when you understand it, is the best way for you to love your dog and enjoy working with him.

The first time I read Koehler's books I thought they sounded harsh. But after thinking about it and trying his methods I have found them to be sound. I own several Doberman Pinchers and his methods have been invaluable to me. Dobies can be a difficult breed to handle because they are protective by nature and can be agressive. His methods have proven time and again to be effective in handling my dogs. I have shown my dogs in different compations for obedience and have a display board full of ribbions to prove his methods effectivness, many thanks to Mr. Koelher. I recommend reading his first book on basic dog obedience to get a good understanding of his methods before moving on to higher levels of training.

Although Koehler seems cruel to the novice, it is apparent on deeper inspection that he is, in fact, a great lover and respecter of dogs. (He was the Disney trainer for years.) One of his most famous arguements about training a dog with a firm hand is that if you LOVE your dog, how could you stand BUT to have complete and firm control over it at all times? Especially if it's about to dart in front of a speeding car? The dog should respond---every time---on your very first command because there will be times when its very life depends on that. To not have a well-trained dog is to put it in danger every minute it's outside its kennel.

To use the Koehler method is to allow your dog to learn by making mistakes, so that it discovers on its own that to be an attentive and obedient dog is the easiest path.

I recommend first reading The Koeler Method---which outlines the logic behind his forceful and no-nonsense corrections---and THEN working into the other volumes after you have an understanding of the logic behind the discipline.

To train using Koehler's methods requires that the trainer train him/herself more than the dog. Many people find this difficult. (And many people have horrible, uncontrollable dogs who run the household while the humans say, "oh, he's just excitable," or "she's just nervous," or "he never acts this way when we're alone.") To learn Koehler is to have a harmonious dog/master relationship based on mutual trust and respect.

Many believe that Koehler does not take individual humans or dogs into consideration, but again, he answers that criticism in The Koehler Method and says that all dogs, being dogs, have certain things in common which can be depended on to aid in training. Read Koehler carefully and you will discover a man who dedicated his entire life to the care of dogs! He is not cruel. Read without bias and learn from an expert what you do not know---it is a truly eye opening experience.

This book is the best book for learning how to train yourself and your dog for "remote" commands. I recommend it highly to anyone truly interested not in being a softie and having a partially trained dog, but to those who wish to offer their beloved pet the most fulfilling and balanced life they can possibly offer it.

Utility obedience is very challenging and Koehler offers consistent and effective methods to train difficult excercises. His emphasis is on clearly communicating with your dog. His methods generally get through to the dog very quickly. By the time you have reached this level (Having first read The Koehler Method, and Open Obedience Training), you should understand that his methods, while firm and authoritative, are not cruel. You will appreciate a fine completion to the obedince series. Although out of print, it is definitely worth finding.

William Koehler made the same mistake that most other published trainers make; he thought his is the only correct method for every person and every dog. NOT so! But, the truth is that his training techniques are the basis for easily two thirds of all the training manuals on the market. His methods were never meant to be used on puppies or any "sensitive" and "eager to please" dog. ALL of his emphasis is on unruly or aggressive and dangerous dogs. His behavioral corrections can be extreme but again he explains that if an owner has the choice of killing the animal or extreme measures the extreme measure is the most "humane" of the two. Believe me, if you have a 75 lb. snarling animal trying to take painful and bloody chunks our of your arm, you may not be so adverse to "hanging" the dog! Its a shame that he ridiculed certain types of people in his book. It tended to make people antagonistic toward him before they ever got a chance to understand his philosophy. He is truely one of the masters.

William Koehler has an excellent reputation as a dog trainer with good reason. After reading this book closely and thoroughly in 1979, I used his technique on my first dog, an intelligent, affable Golden Retriever, with excellent results. The method clearly does not advocate heavy handedness nor excessive punishment, simply making the dog responsible for its actions. I've used the technique on countless dogs since then with consistent, successful results. I've also used the theory in training horses as well, with the results that I have horses who come when they're called, heel and with whom I trust a 2-year-old child. All of this off-lead. If you want a happy, well-adjusted dog that you feel comfortable taking anywhere in any sort of company, then I heartily recommend this book and training technique.

I have read the book and gone through the class several times with different dogs. first was a teacup poodle and I had heard he was"rough" on dogs and almost didn't go to class. It would have been the biggest mistake I have ever made. he acually yelled at me for a harsh correction I made.I trained a Doberman that was a holy mess and he won first place at graduation. Also a Rott. that wanted to fight every dog he saw. When his training was over he wouldn't even look at another big dog much less fight. My 4 year old grandson could do anything with him. I have trained too many dogs over the years to mention them all but I now have 2 Pit Bull pups who when old enough will get the same training and believe me they will be the best behaved dogs in town.I trained under Bill and his son Dick in the 70's and hardly think they have changed their methods. I surely hope not as it would be a shame to not give a problem dog a chance to use it's head and live a happy life instead of being put to sleep because their owner couldn't see past their nose. Of course you wouldn't use this on a child. He is a dog trainer. If you don't want to use this book,then don't,but you will be cheating your dog and yourself out of a life time of happiness together.

Koehler method's are appropriate for dogs who are tough and forgiving. For dogs who are soft or unforgiving of aggressive methods (such as Doberman Pinschers, Border Collies and many other breeds) softer methods must be used for satisfactory results. This book is good to understand tracking theory but many may prefer to use another method to actually train their dog.