I wasn't exactly sure where to put this review -- in the "book" or "video" section. If we had a "Training Guide of the Future" header, I'd probably put it under there. Retriever Journal columnist Butch Goodwin has finally put his many years of experience training hunting dogs (Lab, Goldens, and, what he is best known of, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers) into one of the most comprehensive pieces of training material I've seen.

Retrievers From The Inside, Out is packed with exactly the kind of material you'll need to make your dog into that valuable hunting partner you need -- everything from picking a pup out, reading a pedigree, to teaching advanced waterfowl and upland skills, to his tributes to the dogs and trainers who have impacted him the most.

Without being confined to page counts nor word limits or the requirements of pure printed material or pure video footage, this CD-ROM contains the best of all worlds. Butch packs onto this disk an amazing mount of text -- outlined conveniently with a Table of Contents and a nifty navigation bar along the side that lets you jump to various chapters, or sections within chapters. Quite clearly a labor of love, and it would have been an accomplishment had he just left it at the text.

But the versatility of the computer world shines through in this package. You can print out diagrams of training drills and setups; you can take his little pop quizzes that are scattered throughout; and you can also be taken to video links in which Butch talks to you and shows you exactly what he means. The video clips are very smooth, usually start up in their own little pop-up window, and are usually only a couple of minutes in length.

Those of you familiar with Butch's writing through this magazine will be glad to hear that the personal tone he uses in his column, the one that speaks of vast experience as a hunter and dog trainer, is maintained in his manual. You feel like you're sitting down discussing dogs and dog training.

With the purchase of the CD-ROM or book, you are also given a unique username and password that allows you access to a dedicated website. This site has all of the text and drills that the CD-ROM and book have, and includes a discussion group, where you can post your hunting retriever related questions. The video clips, however, can only be found on the CD or on the DVD included with the book, which is a function of limited server space on the website.

This guide is perhaps the way that most training books and videos will begin to move, and Butch certainly has set a high bar for others to reach. Breaking free of the constraints of pages or the length of videotape, with the CD he's found a way to combine both into a neat and easy-to-follow (and use) package. And it's something that you'll keep finding new things in every time you pick up the book or fire up the computer.

Comments From Readers

Butch,
My wife, Diane, recently bought your training CD for me. Its great. The best information I've ever seen on bringing out the full potential of a hunting retriever. Thanks for putting it together.
I know that putting together your training CD took a huge amount of work and time. But it was sure worth it! I wasn't sure how I would like the CD format at first. After all training books are ... well, books. But I agree with you. The format is more flexible and lets you go into far more detail than would be possible in a book. I am amazed at how well you can get inside the dog's head to analyze the situation from his perspective.
Cy Lesser Jan. 25, '04

Hi Butch,
Your CD arrived today. I just spent the last hour going through it... Wow.... The way it reads and the video clips make it so much easier to understand. I went to a trainer with "Trapper" for help with basic training and she got so complicated very quickly making it confusing for both the dog and the handler. Your method of teaching is so simple and straight forward. I only wish I had known about this book 3 years ago! There is lots to go through.... but it will make a huge difference for me and the dogs!
Thanks again....
From Mark Morse, Ontario, Canada Jan. 21 '04

Butch,
I just got your CD and I've been looking at it this morning (instead of working) and I love the CD format, its very easy to get around in and packed with information. It's damn impressive. I wish it had been out 5 years ago!
I especially like the movies and pictures all in color. I remember never really understanding how you were using a rubber band on a pigeon's wing from talking to you on the phone and email, but when I went to your house it was clear; your CD makes it clear immediately. The pigeon dizzying video is another great example. I also like all the breeding stuff.
That CD is a major achievement. I can hardly imagine the effort that went into it. You should charge more for it!
Hank Baca, Durango Colorado

Butch,
I just wanted to drop you a quick note to say THANKS. I received your book last week and can't stop reading it. The only way to describe it is to say it's "THE BEST."
Keep up the great work. I hope you have a very successful and safe hunting season.
Ed Long, Brooklyn Park, Maryland

Butch,
After reading all of your Retriever Journal articles, I knew this book was a must. Anyone training a retriever should read and re-read this CD. I found it to be on a much more personal level than any other book I have read and it goes into a detailed look at what other books might "assume" the reader knows. The videos leave no questions as to how to proceed and then to have the author available to answer anything else that comes up is truly priceless. Butch Goodwin is a top-notch breeder and trainer and this CD just reinforces his authority in the retriever world. Job well done.
Andy Slazinik, Missouri

Butch,
I wanted to compliment your product. I love the program and am especially pleased that it can be accessed from the W8N4DUX website. I am a police officer and we have Internet in our squad car computers. This enables me to continue studying your program while at work. Of course, this is only done on my lunch break!
Thanks,
John Edmonds, Texas

Hey Butch,
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you putting together the best training course I've seen yet! I've learned more from this course in the first week than all the VHS training videos I've purchased in the last year! There is so much information on this. You could easily sell it for $200 dollars!
Thanks,
Brian Cradic, Tennessee

Hi Butch,
Just want to thank you for the great CD Book and website. Your insight on raising and training the retriever (or dogs in general) will be a real blessing to the hundreds of people that have never stepped into the mind of the dog.
"Ask not what your dog can do for you, but what you can do for your dog." As a trainer, achieving this outcome is my primary goal. I ask myself what can I do to help make this dog the best dog it can be?
I believe your book will help many people learn to look at their dogs in a new light and what role, they as the owner/trainer play in raising their dog. After reading your book, they will soon be asking themselves what they should be doing and not only what their dog should be doing.
Juli Hermanns, Alaska

Hey Butch,
I'm really enjoying your book, thank you so much.
Right now I am supposed to be working on lesson plans for short/soft field takeoffs and landings. But I decided to take a break and pop in your book .... that was 2 hours ago! Damn you, I can't quit reading it! BTW I love the video clips, those are great.
Justin Nestorick, Cheyenne, Wyoming