1 comments about Chicken Soup for the Soul: Loving Our Dogs: Heartwarming and Humorous Stories about our Companions and Best Friends (Chicken Soup for the Soul).

1. I was so excited to receive this book for review. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am quite an animal lover and have always had a pack of dogs as part of my family. I knew I was going to love every page of this book, and I was not disappointed.
   This work is divided into eleven categories: On Mutual Love and Admiration, I Can't Believe My Dog Did That!, Bringing Out The Best In Us, Pets Have Pets Too!, Man's Best Friend, Support Dogs, It's My Family Too!, Dogs and Their Soldiers, Great Dog Moments, Canine Matchmakers, and Letting Go.
   
   I am sure you can tell by the titles what type of stories you will find in each category. I have to tell you, I laughed and cried, say 'ahh,' over and over again, and stopped reading and went off to find one of my pack and give them a big hug just so they would know how much I loved and appreciated them being part of my life.
   
   This book brings to the surface just how much a dog understands, how much they want to share life with you, and how completely they want to give their love to you. Everyone, and I mean everyone who reads this book (unless your heart is black and how sad is that?,) will walk away with a mark in their heart that will remain forever.You will not look at dogs the same, but you will be awakened to their true self, which is absolutely priceless. I LOVED this book and highly recommend it.

5 comments about Dog Days: Dispatches from Bedlam Farm.

1. Another excellent book by my favorite writer of animal stories. Jon is doing things most of us only dream about doing. I admire him for following his dreams. I have found myself falling in love with his animals as I read about them. Orson (aka Devon) touched my heart in ways only Jon would undersdtand. I have a border collie, Little Buddy, who is beyond a doubt my "lifetime" dog. They are indeed a special breed as are their owners. I have already ordered Jon's newest book which will be out in a week. Jon, I just wish you could write faster.
   
   Diane Van Cura



2. As a first-time dog owner, and the owner of a cattle dog myself, I thought I would love this book. Katz is living my dream of farm life surrounded by a menagerie of animals. Even my dream wasn't enough to keep me going through this book.
   
   There's no real plot, just random observances from Katz on the nature of animals and ruminations on his, according to him, declining health. To say he sees animals as mere products, work partners but little else, is an understatement.
   
   This quote pretty well sums up how he feels about his dogs: "I can't for example, subscribe to the notion that the acquisition of every dog represents a lifetime commitment, a bond that must never be altered or broken... I don't believe that dogs possess much self-awareness or consciousness, despite a growing belief to the contrary. They're probably more intelligent than cows, and far more attached to people than sheep, but, like the other animals on the farm, they live in the moment, largely by instinct. They won't spend much time feeling miserable if a new owner provides affection, recreation, health care -- and dinner...I don't believe in taking extraordinary measures to keep dogs alive beyond their natural spans, not in a world where few humans have basic healthcare."
   
   He grumbles a lot about his health, how his back hurts constantly from the work, etc. even though he has several hired hands who provide his animals with the love he seems unable to give. He chides one for feeding treats to the animals, for assigning human meaning to their bland world as products.
   
   He lauds his collie, Rose, but mostly admires her work ethic. He admits she's a loner and has little to do with him. Meanwhile he sends her out even when she's sick, under the guise that she loves to work.
   
   He spends a great deal of time talking about people who say the farm is so well-run, the animals so cared for. He admits he quickly kills or gives away any animal that doesn't fulfill his notion of running a tight ship. He has what he calls a beloved dog put to sleep for biting. He has an ailing donkey shot and calls a man to haul off the carcass, seeming to thoroughly enjoy the "efficiency" of the task. He gives away a loving dog because he's found a new one.
   
   He calls his dogs sluts and whores because they seek attention from visitors. He frequently says he's unwilling to spend too much money on health care because these are, after all, only farm animals. He says he sincerely doubts there's anything going on inside his dogs' heads. He chalks them up to being motivated by nothing grander than the basic instincts of food and sex.
   
   Beyond all that though, the book plods along like life on the farm. He repeats himself, sometimes on the same page. There's no clear direction of where he's trying to go, he just mixes together events as they occur to him.
   
   This is one of the first books I've ever had to force myself to keep reading, and I regret that. I was looking forward to it. I grew weary of his complaints about how his perfect life was less than perfect -- so far from perfect as to almost be an annoyance. For all his supposed hard work, he comes off as exactly what he is, a spoiled big city author trying to pretend he's just "regular folk" while he stands among real farmers and talks about his "hobby farm." He admits he has no real reason to herd the sheep other than to revel in the "training" of his dogs.
   
   His treatment of his farm as a grand experiment reminds me of a kid with an ant farm, occasionally throwing new kinks into the stability just to see what will happen, dumping animals out like the disposable creatures he believes them to be when they require too much time, affection, or money.
   
   Anyone who loves animals and enjoys reading about them should try the James Herriot series instead. I won't read another book by this author not just because of his philosophy, but because he's a poor writer, and no one enjoys having to slog through a book, even in the last 15 pages.



3. While Jon Katz is controversial in some circles for non-professional dog management, his Bedlam Farm memoirs are captivating and gritty. They detail the activities of the farm's dogs, donkeys, sheep, cat, steer, chickens--and the man himself, who gets by with lots of support from more country-wise locals.
   
   With his flight from urban professionalism well-documented in A Dog Year: Twelve Months, Four Dogs, and Me and Running to the Mountain: A Midlife Adventure, Katz continues the Bedlam Farm series with this book about his third year of "hobby farming" in upstate New York. He's been at it long enough to improve his lambing skills and to establish an Easter tradition (reading from St. Augustine to the dogs and then bringing the sheep down the meadow above the church).
   
   Katz writes without undue sentiment about farm life. He counts himself as a newcomer whose animals are "somewhere between products and pets." (p 29) The sheep-herding border collie, Rose, and the affectionate Labs Clementine and Pearl (the "Love Twins") are his constant companions; when a second border collie joins the menage, things get complicated. His wife lives and works in the city but to Katz's satisfaction is learning to enjoy her visits to the farm.
   
   I found this book more satisfying than the earlier The Dogs of Bedlam Farm: An Adventure with Sixteen Sheep, Three Dogs, Two Donkeys, and Me because Katz is so much more assured in farm matters. An entertaining read.
   
   Linda Bulger, 2008



4. This is the second book I have read by Katz. His connection with animals and his insight and understanding of their lives makes remarkable reading material. Katz is a gifted writer with the talented ability to clearly express his stories. I am a dog lover (own three and foster rescue dogs) and appreciate reading such detailed stories about dogs and their lives.



5. I listened to the audio version of this book. The reader's voice had a bit of gravel in it which made for a believable autobiographical narrative. Jon Katz will entertain you with stories of his animals, the farm, and his expositional speaking on what it all means to him. Life is ironic because what he says he believes versus what he does are not always the same thing. This may grate some readers - that is why I give this book 4 stars. Also one chapter on how to talk farmer really was not necessary for the story. A plus is that you fall in love with the animals when reading this book.

5 comments about All About Dog Daycare...A Blueprint for Success.

1. This book gave me the information that I was looking for regarding starting a doggy daycare.



2. I bought this as a birthday present for my best friend. She says she loves the book...it has some very helpful information. I loved that I could buy her birthday present & not have to worry about when to ship it.



3. The book came in warp speed and was even better than described.



4. Robin really knows the daycare business and if you are even remotely considering this challenging but rewarding field, this book is a must for your library!! some additional advice... (my pet business dot com) offers a Doggie Daycare bundle featuring Robin's DVD along with some additional business information ;)



5. Bennett does and excellent job of giving an overview of how to run a daycare facility. I have found this book insightful and useful in my day-to-day operations.

3 comments about Modern Dog: 20 Years of Poster Art.

1. As a graphic designer and fine artist I found this collective of poster design to be both inspiring and extremely funny. It's refreshing to see such a creative design studio not taking itself too seriously while at the same time doing work that is both timely and powerful. The joy of loving what you do shines through on each page. Bravo Modern Dog.



2. I am a professional freelance artist who specializes in poster design, and I found this book to be a wonderfully inspiring collection.
   
   No two posters look alike; each have their own distinctive feel and approach and the stories behind them are equally interesting. I had never heard of Modern Dog before, and now I wonder where they've been all my life.
   
   A throughly solid art book, I wish it had been twice as long!



3. This is a very entertaining book from a group of very talented designers at Modern Dog. I heard the founders of Modern Dog being interviewed by Debbie Millman= and thoroughly enjoyed listening to the Modern Dog story. I highly recommend this book to all fans of the protest poster, and hilarious graphic communication.

5 comments about Help for Your Shy Dog: Turning Your Terrified Dog into a Terrific Pet.

1. I almost didn't get this book, when I was shopping on line, BUT I am soooo glad that I did. I found it very helpful for working with my dog. This is the first book that I got that said that sometime shy dogs are just born that way. I was such a relieve. I have tried many things to help bring her out of her shell, but was feeling like somehow I was failing her. The book gives practical examples and advice on how to handle situations and lots of patience is needed. To notice the small victories. It also had stories of how other shy dogs had overcome their shyness and do things that you want for your dog. I really recommend this book. If gives lots of suggestions and hope. Your hard work will pay off!



2. I just recently acquired a somewhat shy mini-dachshund and needed instruction on how to assist him in overcoming his apprehensions. Various sources on line recommended this book. I bought it, as well "Help for Your Shy Dog" by Nicole Wilde. This Deborah Wood book was a complete waste of time - no details were included on how I should proceed with my dog on anything, only just what amounted to a bunch of cheerleading (e.g., "with patience even you can do it!"). The Nicole Wilde Book, however, contains all the protocols you need to follow for virtually any kind of fear a dog might have. I highly recommend "Help for Your Shy Dog" for anyone with a shy dog, or any kind of dog for that matter. After reading Nicole Wilde's book, I am now making huge progress with my dog's apprehensions, and feel well equipped to deal with any fear that may come up in the future. The Deborah Wood book is going in the trash.



3. Okay book, a litlle disappointed since she stresses over and over training since I did that with my Ted already....many of the ideas in her book are really common sense



4. A lot of good ideas for helping a shy dog to become a great member of your pack. It helped me to realize that my rescued shy dog will get better with time and there are actions I can take to help her adjust to her new family. Thanks for the encouragement in helping me deal with my timid dog. I would reccomend this book to people who have a shy dog.



5. I'm so glad I found this book. The real-life stories she shares have helped me understand my sweet-but-fearful dog so much better. It's great to know that there is hope for helping my dog become happy and content.

5 comments about Everything You Ne to Know About HouseTraining Puppies & Adult Dogs!.

1. My husband and I are "cat people" and never thought of owning a dog until our children wanted one. I realized most of the work with training a puppy was going to be the parents responsibility and I wasn't sure I was ready. I bought this book 6 months before I made my decision. The book is very straight forward and addresses everything you need to know about house training dogs. We brought our puppy home when he was 8 weeks old. I bought everything on the must have lists and followed everything exactly. By 4 months old he was completely house trained. He's now 8 months old and we couldn't ask for a better situation. He even rings a bell by the back door to signal he needs to go out to "potty". I highly recommend this book.



2. This book has been very helpful since we are first time puppy owners. I would suggest that if you are thinking about getting a puppy that you should get this book first, read through it and then get the puppy. We did it the other way around and if you buy the book first it will alleviate a lot of frustration as a puppy owner.
   I would highly recommend this book to anyone considering a puppy.



3. Lora Verni, a certified dog trainer with many years of experience, gives us the advantage of her expertise with this simple, yet highly effective book on house training puppies (and adult dogs who aren't 100% trained).
   
   She guarantees that if you follow her steps, that you will have a house trained dog within one month--I found the book so effective that my dog was trained within 3 weeks!
   
   This book, in simple and easy-to-read chapters, tells you exactly what to do to get your dog to "perform" on command, how to praise him when he's right, and how and when to correct him if he needs it.
   
   In some chapters, she tells the reader that if they've understood the just-presented information, that they need to go back and read it again. She urges the whole family to be in on the house training routine--not just one "in-charge" family member.
   
   She emphasizes crate training and why this is extremely important in training dogs not to "go" anywhere but their appropriate and special "spot".
   
   All in all, if you haven't raised a dog in a while and are feeling the need for some pointers, this book will give you those and then some. In the conversational tone in which it's written, you will feel as if you're being given tips by a friend.
   
   I would recommend it for anyone bringing home a new puppy, or an older dog who is "not sure" about it all.



4. My girlfriend and I have only read the first few chapters and already learned a lot from the book. I believe some of what the author explains is redundant.



5. Material inside is a bit dated, but it has the right idea to get the job done.

5 comments about Dog Tricks for Dummies.

1. Nothing new here, lots of talk very little instruction. No new ways of
   teaching and no basics, just assumming you know



2. I bought this book about 2 months ago. My female dog already knows some triks, but in this book i also found some new that are interesting for my dog. She is really learning fast and i didn't have any idea what else could i learn her.
   
   Regards,
   Petra



3. I have learned so much about teaching a pup easy tricks with this book. My dog learned to ring the bell to go potty. It was easy for this dummy to pick up the concepts and pick the ones I was willing to commit to (cuz it does take practice). The pups love the attention and the stimulation. I wish my mom had a book like this to train me....Really..the book gives great tips on training tricks, but also gives information on understanding and managing dog behavior in general. I highly recommend it.



4. I'm teaching my dog some of the tricks from this book. The book helps you understand how dogs learn and develops the tricks quicker than I thought my dog was willing to learn. The only disagreement I have is the author uses a clicker, but nothing in the book says you really have to have one



5. Sarah Hodgson does a great job of giving step-by-step instructions for training tricks, something that is harder to do than it looks! Everything in here is dog friendly and fun. I taught my dogs several of these tricks, and we made up a few new ones based on what we'd learned.

   I wish that there was more content to the book, though. Perhaps 75% of it is filler. There are whole chapters on feeding, medical care and basics like sit, down and stay. Certainly, all of these topics are important, but they have only tangential relevance to trick training.

   There are several other filler chapters about dog sports. Why fill 50-odd pages with brief overviews of skijoring, carting and flyball? Each of these sports has more than a few good books that readers can refer to if they're interested. Being a Border Collie owner in Texas, I have no use for info on the Iditarod!

   I would much rather have a smaller volume filled with stuff that I want to read. All of this filler dilutes the book, and makes it harder to pick out the valuable info.

5 comments about Paws & Effect: The Healing Power of Dogs.

1. This was really an amazing book-- I learned so much about dogs and how much they can help us. Sharon Sakson makes the science understandable, and her ability to get you into the lives of people and their dogs is just amazing. Truly a book I couldn't put down.
   
   Neil Plakcy, author of Mahu Fire: A Hawaiian Mystery



2. I bought it as part of my research into Animal Assisted Activities/Therapy and it has been such an inspiration! The author has found so many wonderful true stories about dogs and people who are really making a difference, and she writes about them is such a beautiful way. Dogs do not receive enough credit for all the ways in which they help humans, from detecting cancer and warning their owners of seizures to helping abused children though their ordeals in court and providing comfort to people in institutions. I now talk about this book with everyone I meet!



3. What a wonderful book! The writing is great, and it blends heart tugging stories about the love between owners and their dogs with interesting snippits from scientific studies. There are also entertaining stories about dogs and their connection with people throughout history.
   
   Ever heard of St. Roch? Turns out he is the patron saint of dogs. He was starving to death when a dog began to bring him loaves of bread.
   
   I expect everyone who reads the story of Toaster, the Mexican hairless who learned to warm and comfort a handicapped woman, will fall in love with him.
   
   Really, unless you have a heart made of stone you will love this book.



4. I savored every moment of this book. Sharon Sakson enthusiam for her subject comes trough and makes the pages fly. Parts of it almost read like a triller-- you can't wait to find out what happen next. She combines a ton of fascinating research with wonderful storie of incredible dogs. The book isn't exactly was I expetect-I thought it would be a bunch of stories about therapy dgs. but it is much more than that. It is engagingly written and the information is so interesting that it turns out to ba a book you can't put down.
   She does a great job of making the scientific information interesting and useful. it is all so interesting and some time surprising, that I was never bored, even though I thought I knew plenty on this subject.
   And if you like this book, you should really go back and read her first book, Paws & Reflect: A special Bond Between man and Dog. some of the stories are Hilarious.Ans so well-written



5. I just recently completed this book and was positively amazed at its power. Once I picked it up, I found myself sneaking around so that I would be able to read it uninterrupted. The content blends little known information on dog history and lore with the most awesome stories. I indeed believe that to be able to draw the audience into the words on the page is a gift and Ms. Sakson is certainly gifted. I laughed at some of the stories, smiled and of course, shed a tear at some of the other "tails" that were shared. When I reached the end of the book, I looked for more pages, but there were not any. I am always able to tell the best books whenI am left wanting more and I was looking!

5 comments about Positive Perspectives: Love Your Dog, Train Your Dog.

1. In my opinion, this is one of the best starter book for raising a puppy, I wish I know about this book 3 months ago when we get our first ever puppy. I now know that we have spoiled the little guy and will need a much longer training to bring him back to true family pet.
   
   The reason it does not get a 5 stars is the book missing detail on some of the training technique or process. But overall, I recommand this to all new dog owners.



2. I have had dogs all my life, and though I thought I knew dogs pretty well and how to train them, I learned a lot from this book. I recognized that some of my methods were out of date. I tried these new and improved methods on a new dog I just got who is 1.5 years old. It has been amazing how quickly our bond grew from these both sensible and respectful methods of teaching. I learned not to be quite so forceful with my new friend. I learned that being Alpha in the pack did not mean having to intimidate my dogs. I highly recommend it for those who are not getting the behaviors they want and need from their dog companions, and also, for those who are considering getting or just have added a new dog of any age to the family. Knowledge like this can really save many if not most of these beautiful and loving animals from being dumped at our shelters or elsewhere.



3. I am a rescuer, and I have purchased many copies of this book to give to new adopters-- and I ALWAYS recommend it to every dog owner. This book offers great instruction for training obedience-- AND lots of useful information on dog behavior.



4. This book goes over the basics of puppy and dog training using positive methods. It's a great introduction to positive training methods and describes how to teach your dog a number of important behaviors. It has definitely helped me train my new puppy. My only complaint is that there are a few training descriptions that don't really tell you how to finish the exercise with your dog. For example, the book goes over the difference between "wait" and "stay" and describes how to do both, but focuses on "stay." It didn't really tell how you tell your dog he can stop the "wait." I'm going to be looking for more information to help me continue training my puppy, but I still would definitely recommend it for anyone new to dog ownership.



5. this is a good book when you first get your puppy and i really like her techniques but i was looking for more tricks.

5 comments about Small Dogs, Big Hearts: A Guide to Caring for Your Little Dog , Revised Edition.

1. This well researched book covers all of the information that is needed before acquiring a small dog. Darlene Arden covers all of the breed specific information, including temperament, challenges and attributes for all of the small and toy dog breeds.
   
   It is well written, fun to read and very thorough. And... it is a must read for choosing the right breed of dog.
   Marilyn Krieger, Certified Cat Behavior Consultant



2. What a wonderful book! This book explains every concern imaginable for the small dog owner. From basic socialization, to common health problems, to reproductive issues; this book has it all. To top it off, is it loaded with some of the most heart-warming photographs I've seen in a while. You are doing yourself as well as your pint-sized buddy a huge disservice if this reference book is not the most read book in your collection. Reading this book allows you to feel the passion of the author. Feel the passion...read this book.



3. I purchased this book as an expectant toy breed mother. It is a light hearted but informative book on the joys and pitfalls of having a toy breed in your house. I was a little disappointed in the lack of information on my particular puppy, a Chinese Crested, but then I didn't expect a lot of info on the Cresteds since most people know little about them. For more breed specific information, it's advisable to get a breed specific book. However this is a great reference for those who are looking at the toy breeds and don't know a lot about them. It's an easy read and the general information is great. The breed specific information is just enough to perhaps help someone choose which breed is a good fit for their family.



4. As the owner of 4 small dog rescues, I have found all of Darlene Arden's books extremely helpful and "small dogs, big hearts" is certainly no exception. It is filled with valuable information and should be a must read for anyone who has or is even remotely thinking about getting a small dog. Like all her books, this one is well written in Ms. Arden's easy to follow and understand style. I especially like the fact that this book contains mixed breeds and all the pictures are a wonderful addition.
   I applaud Darlene Arden for emphasizing that these small breeds are not toys to be played with, but real dogs with real dog issues and needs.



5. I was very anxious to get this book. In fact by the time I realized there was a second edition of the Irrepressible Toy Dog, I had been waiting several months. This lead me to several other small dog/ breed specific books. This book is definitely top notch However, I was a little biased having read similar information in several other books before reading this book. This made me less excited about its content, however I have to say that it is extremely well compiled, lots of good information and has the best health section on small breed specific disease that I have seen to date. The picture sections are cute, however it could have included more breeds instead of the same breeds over and over. It however was not as much fun as other books, and lacks in the training section when compared to other books. It is a great overall guide on toy dogs and every toy dog owner should keep a copy for a reference guide.