5 comments about Raw Meaty Bones Promote Health (P).

1. I purchased this book along with several other raw feeding and natural pet care books. I expected it to simply be another raw "how to". And while it does include a chapter that gives a basic overview to feeding raw, the majority of the book is dedicated to the scientific reasoning of raw. It is a major confidence booster to the beginning raw feeder to see exactly WHY they are making the best possible diet choice for their animals. Dr. Lonsdale writes in a way that even the average pet owner can understand, while avoiding dumbing the material down. It is also fascinating to see the struggle that modern vets who support raw have had with trying to prove the worth of this diet.



2. Vets are good for medical stuff. I use them for drawing blood, running blood tests and prescribing medication when needed. Other than that, I would disregard anything a regular vet has to say about both animal nutrition and animal psychology*. Vets are brainwashed by these food companies when they are in vet school to push their unhealthy (but profitable) foods. There is a reason this author had to fight so hard to get his ideas out there.
   Dogs survived thousands of years without bagged kibble, doing guess what? Eating Raw Meaty Bones. This book is such an eye-opener to something that should really be just simple common sense. Dogs are meant to eat MEAT, not corn meal, wheat or high-fructose corn syrup. Cats need meat even more so.
   The DAY we changed our dogs over to eating Raw Meaty Bones, we noticed an astonishing difference. They are healthier and happier because they are doing what dogs should do!
   READ this book, take the little bit of extra time to FOLLOW it and you will be rewarded 1000x over by your animals.
   *My husband has been involved in animal training for years and follows something close to Cesar Millan's approach. So as far as dog psychology goes, if you can't hire my husband, read Cesar's book and watch the Dog Whisperer!!



3. This book is a helpful guide for those discussing a RAW diet with their vet. Lonsdale provides an in depth account of what he's seen as a doctor of veterinary medicine. The book was much easier to read than some other books related to this topic. We used this book as a companion when discussing our dogs' health with our veterinarian. She found the information useful and I believe that is a compliment to the book. If not for making the choice to switch to RAW, it will have you asking your vet more questions about your pet's healthcare.



4. I just wanted to take a second to write a little review. No not one of those big reviews that yells "give me all the attention, I'm the best reviewer out here!"
   
   But a lil small review that covers some of the things some people have spoken about and what not.
   
   First some say this book seemingly is all about the author, Tom Londsdale. Ok, the forward, preface, and even chapter 1 is about him and the industry, but then he goes in to great detail about dental care, how artificial dog foods damage the teeth and so forth and so forth.
   
   Some say it's hard to follow, well, I'll admit at times it is. It's a book of detailed reasons of why to go on the raw diet. It's not a recipe book, it's a good book to give you an idea about the raw diet, and frankly for the raw diet you dont need a recipe book! What's so hard about giving a raw chicken?
   
   So I give this 4 stars, because it is a good book, however it can be a bit boring at times.
   
   I just ordered "give your dog a bone" how I look forward to reading that!



5. For those who have more time to read about raw feeding, this is your book. Dr. Lonsdale's book "Work Wonders" (in my previous review) is great for shorter reading. Since I have owned dogs all my life, I have also lost many to cancer and other related illnesses. With my new dog, I am trying raw feeding and reading all that I can about it. It's different and takes time getting the right diet and what agrees with her. I believe in being open minded, and this book really opens the mind.

5 comments about Snog: A Puppy's Guide to Love.

1. As a professional photographer I am always looking at books in the "photographic section". I came across this book and immediately fell in love with the images. I gave the book to me 12 year daughter who loves the images for different reasons than I do. Just a fantastic book and a great gift.



2. I have a Snog book and so does my friend, Bernie Calaway. We both like it. Thanks!



3. After reading "Snog" a few times, I set it on my coffee table. So far, there hasn't been a visitor in my home who hasn't picked it up.
   
   The photography and phrases are first rate.
   
   Next time your puppy has an "accident" on the floor, and you wonder why you love him/her so much, just glance over at "Snog" on the coffee table. You'll remember why.



4. It would be hard to beat the cover photo but I think there were many just a good. I've seen a lot of calenders and books with dog photos but this may be the best yet.



5. This book is absolutely darling! The photography of these pups is outstanding. It is a beautiful book.

5 comments about Training Your Boxer (Training Your Dog Series).

1. Highly recommended for the prospective boxer owner. Offers a unique perspective to training the boxer and covers most facets of ownership. Lots of good practical information in terms anyone can understand. Have read the book repeatedly and glean more information each time. Will be a continuing source of reference as my boxer matures. Thanks to Joan Walker for this outstanding practical guide.



2. very useful book. packed full of common sense advice that is easily adapatable to your personal situation with your dog - whether he/she is a puppy or older dog. I'm glad I read this book and would reccommend it to anyone who is considering or has gotten a boxer - they are a special breed with their own unique personality traits and it is very helpful to understand how they think when training them.



3. This book tells of numerous ways to train your boxer so you can pick which method works best for your dog. Easy to follow instructions makes training fun and alot less daunting.



4. I found this to be well written and informative. A good buy.



5. It's great to see the author writing customer reviews of their own book? Turned me off from buying the book. How stupid does she think people are?

5 comments about Bad Dogs Have More Fun: Selected Writings on Family, Animals, and Life from The Philadelphia Inquirer.

1. I'm a lover of all things dog related, but this is just too much. While this was written by Grogan, I'm pretty sure he isn't behind this book, and for that reason alone I won't buy it for anyone. Like another reviewer, I'm giving this away. I'm not even going to try and sell it.



2. My husband gave me the audio book for Christmas and we just took it on vacation to listen to in the car. We were disappointed that we listened to it for over an hour without one dog story. I'm selling it off without finishing listening to it.



3. I'm sure I was not the only one mislead by the title. I bought the book hoping for stories on dogs that would take me on a roller coaster ride. There are some valuable op-ed articles in this book, but it certainly wasn't what I expected when I bought it.



4. The greedy, seedy editor and publisher of the Philadelphia Inquirer bypassed John Gorgan and put this book together without his knowledge or consent. They boldly capitalized on John's popularity and ability to sell books to pimp out his previous works for their sole monetary gain. Perhaps worse, they used Marley's name and a picture of a little puppy to pull in dog lover's around the world. How low is that? How can these sleazy people sleep at night? If they had done the courtesy of collaborating with John Grogan, they may have seen this book reach stratospheric success. Instead, they circumvented him. They cut Grogan out completely, yet marketed his name, so that they didn't have to share the royalties with him. Yes, they technically own rights to Grogan's columns, but it was the wrong and disrespectful thing to do, and they know it. I urge you not to compensate them any further. Do not put more money in their pockets. Refuse to buy this book!!!



5. This book is a compilation of Grogan's articles from the Philly Inquirer. It is a very enjoyable and quick read but it has little to do with dogs. If you're looking for a book about the bond between humans and their 4-legged friends, consider looking elsewhere. If you're looking for a series of lighhearted shortstories about Grogan's life and his observations about the world around him, pick it up.

5 comments about Try Tracking!: The Puppy Tracking Primer.

1. Fun, positive method for training tracking. The back cover has recommendations from 2 AKC tracking judges and Pat Miller.



2. I purchased this book as I wanted to learn about tracking and also teach my year-old basset/coonhound mix about tracking.
   
   While the title says it's for "puppies," the cover also has a blurb saying it works with adult dogs, too--which is what caused me to pick it.
   
   Well, this is a fantastic book. The author lays out very clear and easy steps for the beginner to follow and also offers suggestions on how training a puppy would be different from training an adult. The author also precisely lays out what is needed, in terms of gear, for both the dog and the human, for summer tracking vs. winter tracking, suggestions on how to be allowed to use a neighbor's unused farmland for tracking, and so forth.
   
   The author also points out how tracking, as both a sport and a casual exercise, builds the relationship between you and your dog. My basset mix and I have always been close; he bonded with me on the drive home from the "breeder's" (long story). We've been inseparable since. Learning and practicing tracking, however, has brought our relationship to another level. We respect each other and he *really* listens to me now, thanks to the tracking exercises we're doing. I can even call him off a prey scent--which I could never do before!
   
   So I highly recommend this book for all beginner trackers and also for anyone wanting to do a sport other than agility--or even for anyone wanting to improve their relationship with their dog(s).



3. Our canine companions have been blessed with a scent of smell that some say is a thousand times greater than our own. "Try Tracking: The Puppy Tracking Primer" will teach you how to get the most out of your puppy's excellent nose, and to refine its natural instincts, to increase the bond between you and your pet. Tracking is fun for both you and your dog, improve both of your fitnesses, and you'll gain respect to just how your dog works. The methods put forth are said to be able to work with any age of dog from seven weeks of age to elderly canines, and for that, "Try Tracking!: The Puppy Tracking Primer" is enthusiastically recommended for dog owners everywhere and community library collections dealing with canine obedience and training.



4. Want to do something with your puppy or dog that makes use of their natural talent? You'll want to do tracking and Carolyn has made it easy for you to try it out! She tells you what you'll need for equipment, how to draw a track diagram, and how to keep a diary and why. She addresses when to start with your puppy and how your pup can have a title before it's a year old. Don't have a puppy but still want to try? No problem she covers that too! Get hooked on tracking!
   
   Carolyn was a guest member in February 2006 on CSDogBookReview (YahooGroups). After reading her book and listening to her discusions I've started tracking with my two four year old dogs. They're loving it!
   
   Thanks Carolyn!



5. This was a easy-to-follow guide for me to start training my puppy to track, and her methods are working well on my 5 year old dog as well. I would without hesitation recommend this book for anyone considering starting their puppy or dog in tracking.

5 comments about Draw 50 Dogs (Draw 50).

1. I bought this book hoping there would be a picture of a weim or a similar breed. I got lucky, there is a weim! It does look incredibly easy to follow, but I know what dog lovers want to know: is MY breed in there? so here's a list:
   
   The book is divided into "groups". The Hound group has Afghan, Basenji (sitting), Basset, Beagle, Black & Tan, Bloodhound (sitting), Borzoi, Dachshund (smooth), Greyhound (running), Irish Wolfhound (running). The Terrier group has Airedale, Bedlington, Bull Terrier, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, Wire Fox, Kerry Blue, Scottish, Sealyham & a Westie (sitting). The Working group is actually the CKC working & herding combined, and has Malamute, Boxer (running), Rough Collie (running), Doberman (play bow), GSD (head shot), Great Dane, Mastiff, OES, Corgi (Pembroke), St. Bernard (lying down), Samoyed, Sheltie, Standard Schnauzer. The Sporting has Cocker (looks like American, is "sitting pretty"), English Setter (head shot), Golden Retriever, Irish Setter, Pointer, Weim. The Irish, Pointer & Weim are on point. The Non-sporting includes the Toy breeds: Bichon, Boster Terrier, Bulldog, Chow, Dalmatian (sitting), Lhasa Apso, Standard Poodle (continental cut I think), Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Pug, Yorkie. All the breeds which can have cropped or natural ears have cropped ears in these drawings.



2. This was the ideal book for me! Thanks to this book, I can draw better than I ever imagined possible!
   
   Ames' provides good, clear instructions. Beagles, basenjis, bulldogs and Germans shepherds are fun to draw. Any dog with a curly tail is fun to draw. Readers are also treated to a brief history of each breed on the bottom of each page.
   
   Now, I wish there was a book (or maybe there is and I just don't know about them) of drawing classic cars. How to draw a 1964 Ford Falcon - how cool is that!



3. I must admit that for me it takes a bit of work to draw realistic and 3 dimensional pictures. But using the 'Draw 50' books are so very, very easy to use! Lee J. Ames's drawing method is simple with the step-by-step instructions which are easy to follow. For kids 9 and older, "Draw 50 Dogs" by Lee J. Ames is great for drawing in your scrapbook, onto your notebooks, on cards, etc.

   As the title says, this book includes instructions to draw 50 dogs; all of the 50 are different breeds and types. For me I love the portraits though I also love to draw dogs running or posing. My favorite pictures to draw are most probably the 'Irish Wolfhound', 'Cairn Terrier', 'German Shepherd Dog', 'Cocker Spaniel', and 'English Setter'. The book has another nice touch which is at the bottom of each drawing, there is some information on that dog including a brief history of the breed, average weight and height of the dog, and coat and color of the dog. Extremely helpful especially if you are thinking of coloring your drawing afterwards or would like to know how big to draw the dog when putting it in a background. My only complaint that there isn't a picture of a papillon to draw which I would like to (the reason? I have a papillon for a pet!).

   Of course all of the "Draw 50" series are great, be sure to check them all out! The books I want are "Draw 50 Athletes", "Draw 50 Cats", "Draw 50 Cars, Trucks, and Motorcycles", and "Draw 50 Famous Faces".




4. I agree with the other reviews,this is a great book in the series. If you have an interest in drawing or know someone who does,you'll find these books to be very useful. My daughter had brought some home from the library & asked for me to buy them.They go step by step with you,in no time you'll have a wonderful picture!



5. This wonderful step-by-step drawing book has great illustrations like the Yorkshire terrier(My favourite). Lee J. Ames, author, is very kind as I had e-mailed him many times. Hope you like this book too...

5 comments about Choosing a Dog for Dummies.

1. I just finished reading this book and buying my first puppy. This was my bible. I even had folded down pages and brought the book with me when I went to pick up my puppy at the breeder. This book was great because if you go on the AKC web site, they describe dogs by the qualities I didn't care about. They talk about fur markings, tail length, and things about being show quality. This book told me what I wanted to know about each breed like if it's good with kids, how much it sheds, and typical behaviors you can expect. It does that for many breeds including those considered rare. All the info was here about how to find a puppy, questions to ask when interviewing breeders, what all the health certifications mean, etc. It's told from the perspective of a person on the inside who is clearly knowledgeable about the dog world. It would be nice if more of the pictures were in color, as opposed to just the top 20 breeds, but you can't have everything and it would cost a lot more if it did. But overall, it's a great book for someone interested in getting a dog and wanting to know about all the different breeds.



2. Like the easy to find requirements for each breed.



3. This book is a Godsend for folks trying to decide which is the right breed of dog for them. Concise yet complete, and very readable. You sit down intending to glance through your new book, and end up reading it cover-to-cover (often laughing out loud). You now have a short list of possible breeds, and you know just what to do next, to find your dog. Great book for dog-hunters!



4. This book is full of information on all kinds of different dog breeds. It tells you if the breed is good with kids, how much it sheds, what it is good at, and more.



5. As a cat-owner looking for a dog, I needed help. I've only lived with cats during my lifetime (except the dog my parents had until I was 5). This book gives information about the different breeds of dogs, about finding a breeder or rescuing an animal, plus much much more. If you are looking into finding the type of dog that will fit into your household, I highly recommend this book. My husband also found it to be full of information, and he's been a dog-owner all of his life!

5 comments about Pet Food Nation: The Smart, Easy, and Healthy Way to Feed Your Pet Now.

1. Pet Food Nation is a quick and easy read and a good primer to get you thinking about your pet's nutrition and diet.
   
   The book is divided into three general parts. The first part talks about the history and the state of the pet food industry. The second part goes into your pet's general nutritional requirements and commercial food (and it's ingredients) versus home cooked food. The third part discusses nutritional requirements for different breeds (very general), provides some sample recipes (about a dozen each, for cats and dogs) and lists different vitamins and minerals and their sources, functions and the results of deficiency and excess.
   
   The book also contains a lot of factoids, questions and answers (FAQ style) and debunks some popular pet food/nutrition myths. I'd recommend this book to start you out in your pet nutrition research, but you'd probably want to read additional books for more in-depth information.



2. This is a good book to read to gain some more insight into feeding your pets homemade food. It has many interesting ideas in it.



3. I received this product dirty , with a lot of the pages stuck together, so I returned it for a refund



4. The beauty of this book is it is packed with solid information AND provided in a fast and fun read. I have read multiple books on this topic and this one is certainly the easiest to put into action. This book's cat wet food recipes are quick and easy to make and of course much cheaper than "factual premium natural" or organic canned. It's only a Sunday event of an hour or less for me to make and freeze the following week's supply. Many of the healthier ingredients (can't afford ALL organic ingredients, but aim for 75%) needed for the recipes can be found here on Amazon at a much cheaper price than I can get locally. I have 5 cats and a few years ago (thanks to the DVD extras on Super Size Me) started my own journey for healthier human and pet food choices. Thanks to About.com, I switched from Purina and Iiams (yes I was fooled by the hype) to Natural Balance and Castor & Pollux Organix Feline and their non-organic cat food. While I still plan to use those brands, I recently happened upon By Nature's Organics (also make less expensive Naturals) and now this is my first choice back up supply for canned and primary source for dry food. They do not use wheat, corn or soy (Newman's and some other "natural and organic" use soy or all 3). Although it is not found in this book, those 3 fillers are the most common allergens for cats, plus it is very challenging for their digestive systems to process those and can cause significant health issues. It is best to use oatmeal (try McCann's-yummy for people and pets), brown rice, and barley. I stick w/ the rice and oatmeal since it is readily available in my pantry and it is easy to make extra while preparing it for myself. I also use organic coconut oil (does not turn rancid), which has amazing health benefits for people and pets alike. Sure it's a bit of a time commitment, but after a while it becomes routine and what better way to express your love and affection?



5. I got this book looking for a solution to feeding my dogs food that I didn't see fit to feed myself. I was concerned about all of their nutritional needs being met as well. With this book, I found answers to all of my questions, helpful recipies and good information. If you are looking to step away from the commercial dog food, this would be a good book for you.

No comments about Flanagan's Smart Home: The 98 Essentials for Starting Out, Starting Over, Scaling Back.

5 comments about Boxers for Dummies.

1. The book about Boxers has lots of information about the breed. Those of us who are unfamiliar with the breed, gathered lots of things that will help us in the care and nuturing of this wonderful animal! Who knew that big old grizzly looking Boxer was a sweetheart, full of affection and devotion! Great reference book to have on handle, especially if you're rearing a pup.



2. We've just become the owners of a boxer pup, and used this book before and after he joined our family. The book is very easy to understand and contains a wealth of useful material. It also has a lot of general sections that would be relevant to any new pet owner. This isn't a book you would use for hard-core research, but I recommend it for the average new pet owner as an easy to read reference. It was well worth the price.



3. I agree with one of the preceding reviews. Substitute beagle or French poodle for boxer and you have 90% the same book. I was looking for a little more insight.



4. I really enjoyed reading this book on Boxers. I am researching dog breeds before I commit to a new family member. There was a careful balance of enthusiasm for the Boxer and warnings of their specialized needs AND the responsibilites of Boxer ownership.
   I especially enjoyed the observations he made between male and female boxers, puppy training, and problematic behaviors.
   Even if I don't decide to own a Boxer in the future, this was an entertaining educational read that I would recommend to all.



5. Like most for dummies books, this is essentially a cut and paste of all of their other dog books with the word boxer inserted in place of dog. In a few cases it has stories of the writers experiences with boxers but this book is really nothing special. Try culture clash to get a better understanding of your companion.