Reviews

I asked several highly respected Spaniel Breeders, trainers and competitors to review my training manual and to give me their thoughts.
Sure looks like 5 star reviews to me!

Gary Rockie Riddle

A pro trainer from Mendon Utah, Gary owns and operates Rockey's Kennels. He began trialing English Springer Spaniels nearly 30 years ago and during this time he has had and seen many exceptional dogs that he hunted, trained, and competed with. He has worked with various breeds of dogs in their training starting out with the basics of retrieving, bench work, force fetching and bird work. Having trained and handled numerous Field Trial Champions Gary was at the panicle of success in 2019, winning the Canadian National Spaniel Field Trial Championship.

"Hello Gerry"

"I am sorry I'm slow getting back to you on your book. I have been swamped but now I'm on a road trip through California running dogs.

While on the trip I've been able to read your book a couple of times.

What a great read and very beneficial!

Any beginner considering training a Spaniel for hunting or competition field trials should read, study and apply this book.

-Set up for success

-Eliminate distractions

-Proactively prepare your companion for as much as possible

A simple approach to complex issues at a field trial. Great and enjoyable read and preparation.

Thank You for the opportunity to take a look at it.

Sincerely,

Gary"

Marty Knibbs

Marty is one of the most respected Spaniel trainer and handler in North America. His many accomplishments include 6 National Spaniel All Age wins, 16 National All Age placements, recipient of the Hogan Award, and 6 High-point All Age Spaniel awards. He has judged many trials including all the Springer and Cocker National Field trials on both sides of the border.

Hey Gerry good to hear from you.

"What a project you undertook here.

Super job!

This will really help interest people and certainly will create good trained companions/ hunting dogs and competitive trial dogs.

There is nothing I have read or seen out there like this.

Great job!

Thanks for letting me take a look."

Marty

Jeff Miller

Owner of Blackriver Kennels Jeff is the most successful Amateur Spaniel handler in North America. Among Jeff's many accomplishment he has won 10 Spaniel National Championships over his career, as of 2016, including Blackriver's Tanner who won the 2016 U.S. Open Spaniel National Championship, U.S. National Amateur Spaniel Championship and the Canadian Open National Spaniel Championship as well as the Canadian Amateur National Spaniel Championship.

Gerry

"I read your book and I found it very good.

Very pleased to see that you did not include shock collars.

I could have used this book 40 years ago!

All the Best
Jeff"

Bill Cosgrove

Owner of Ivanhoe Kennels Bill is a nationally renowned trainer and handler of English Springer Spaniels, with more than 20 years of experience. Bill has been awarded more than 100 ribbons and prizes, including national awards and championships in AKC Performance Events.

"This is a very well done, easy to follow, step - by - step of developing a pup all way up to field trials.

Of course hunters and hunt test enthusiasts will benefit greatly from Mr. Babin's careful instructions and video demonstrations."

"The sequential approach is the right one, and Mr. Babin gives tips on how to avoid problems and confusion in your dog; as he takes you through the progressions."

"I have pretty much seen and read everything out there and I would put this product right at the top of your list of required reading."

"His videos are really well done. A great tool for newbie's and puppy owner's starting out. It is like a training manual with illustrations that - when you click them; become short video clips."

"Another thing is he gets into trialing - which is a subject that a lot of other books and video talk down."

Bill McCaffrey

Owner of Springers of Narvin Bill grew up with Springers and in 2011 his little female Lady Caramel clinched the Canadian National Spaniel Championship. Breeding top quality Springers he is a highly competitive trainer and handler as well as a dedicated hunter.

"Mr. Babin is half the brains behind my National champion.

He has been one of my mentors and I owe a lot of my success to him.

He has already been there and done that!"

"Thank you Gerry!"

"This is a great instructional video book for someone starting out and looking for a reference guide."

Wayne Brennen

From Alberta Wayne has been involved with Springer Spaniels for over thirty years. Sitting on the CKC Spaniel Council as well as being one of the guiding lights of the Eastern Slopes Spaniel Club Wayne has first hand knowledge on what it take to train and handle working Spaniel for hunting and field trials. Now residing in British Columbia his love of the sport continues as he develops yet another Spaniel club in his area. Thank You for your dedication.

"I've known Gerry for a decades and indeed he introduced me to my first Woodcock hunt in northern Ontario. What an eye opener that was for a guy from the wide open spaces.
Spaniels have been in my family for three generations and I have been Handling, Gunning and Judging Spaniel Field trials for nearly 30 years. Wholeheartedly agreeing with the sentiment Gerry shares in his manual; "You should always bear in mind that there is always more than one solution to a problem and to keep an open mind.
It was a pleasure to read the open minded sentiment in Gerry's manual. It has been a few years since I have directly trained a puppy and wanted to obtain another perspective and boy did I get one.
Practical solutions to typical issues you will run into with your puppy. A good overview of the basics of field trials for your Springer.
Practical warnings on what you may encounter if you "do too much" of some things.
What a great heads up or warning for new trainers. There were simple suggestions and hints imbedded in this manual and several were things I have not considered doing before: "pinching the cheeks" on delivery to assist the dog releasing a dummy. Another simple trick, "placing the starters pistol close to the ground to muffle" the report. Simple, but effective. Planting suggestions, reminders to attend to the dog. "Keep him hungry!" "Don't be afraid to return to an earlier drill" All so simple and so true.
Arguably the most counter intuitive part in the proper training of a good Spaniel is the Steadying process. Gerry shares a positive method of getting the job done by breaking down the process. What Gerry calls the "Flushing Drill" is a simple creative method of developing a base for doing a successful job.
Don't hesitate to get this manual if you are training your Springer or any Spaniel for that matter.
It's worth the money and worth the read, even if you have been training for a long time.
Get a new perspective. "

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