The story of a bird dog's early years, showing how an owner selects a pup and finds a trainer. Tips on housebreaking, socialization, basic commands, field training, whistle training and ranging methods, types of training collars, using a check cord, release and fetch commands. Interviews and insights with longtime pointing-dog owners, trainers, and other experts.

Joseph Healy is an avid upland-bird hunter and fly fisherman. He has worked as an editor at Outdoor Life, Fly Tyer, and Saltwater Fly Fishing and has written for the Miami Herald and other publications. The editor-in-chief of Vermont Magazine, he lives in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom.