The Dead Fowl Trainer, from any dog's point of view, is probably the next best thing to the real-life bird. Each DFT looks, feels, weighs and (with scent added) smells like a real duck, goose or upland gamebird. These life-like facsimiles are irresistible to canines on a retrieve. Every popular game bird species, from green-winged teal to huge Canada geese, and mourning doves to rooster pheasants, is available with firm foam bodies to encourage an eager in-the-mouth pickup; and hard, loosely mounted heads, which gently persuade all dogs not to shake the dummy or a real bird. Used on land or water, DFTs are rugged, durable, easy to throw and will last for thousands of training lessons and exercise sessions.

Most retriever owners want to develop their puppies into well-trained hunting companions, but they have difficulty finding the time or lack the experience or patience to train a dog properly. A new book from Tom Dokken, owner of Dead Fowl Training Products and a leading expert on training retrievers, can help. Tom Dokken's Retriever Training: The Complete Guide to Developing Your Hunting Dog contains training regimens designed to fit into today's busy schedules. Readers will find training programs that take only 10 minutes a day, and with time, will produce a devoted, well-mannered companion and hunting partner. The author guides readers through puppy training, introduction to gunfire, obedience, marking, hand signals and training for upland game.

Contact: Dokken's Dead; Fowl Trainer; (507) 744-2616; www.deadfowltrainer.com