No comments about All HAIL CAESAR.

5 comments about The Happy Little Book of Labs: A Visual Appreciation.

1. this is a lovely, lovely book. I was happy to learn more about this companionable animal. Although I'm not a 'lab gal' myself, I could easily see why someone would want this loyal and obedient animal.the text and illustrations are charming- this would be THE book to give Lab Lovers for Christmas



2. Since I bought The Happy Little Book of Pugs--how could I not buy this book too? Everyone loves labs and I am no different. Again, the smart design and vintage graphics are what drew me to this book. I'm going to buy 5 more before they sell out and give them as presents to my family and friends.



3. I'm a lab man, I've owned labs ever since my college days. I was given this book by my tennis buddy and I must admit it sat on my humidor for about a week before I picked it up. Its a hoot, really funny. I'm glad I discovered it. Great style and wit!



4. This small picture book functions as a great resource for anyone interested in owning a lab and finding out more about the breed, or as a delightful display piece for owners and devotees of the labrador. The illustrations and photography are the focal points as you flip the pages, but it is a surprising source of valuable information. Place it on a side table and watch as guests, intending to idly scan through the pictures, end up reading it cover to cover.



5. To all the dog lovers out there ( and especially Lab lovers), this book is a must have. Ms Schuckhart really captures the essence of Lab life and lore. Fun to read and look at I found myself chuckling and nodding in agreement at every spread. As a fan of many dog breeds, I can't wait to see more in the series. Beautifully designed as well.

2 comments about The Family in Dog Behavior Consulting.

1. Understand I'm a layman, not a professional. And, yes, I did see "dog behavior consulting" in the title. :-) To be honest, I bought this because we have seven people in and out of our house and we've been raising two dogs. I expected something different but I still found this a useful resource. The author is described as both family therapist and dog behavior consultant. She is obviously sensitive to both dogs and people - if that's possible. I'm guessing this would be a useful handbook for dog behavior consultants even if you don't consider yourself a "positive dog trainer" because of the family elements that she highlights and strategies she purposes. It's nicely laid out and easy to use with short chapters divided into shorter sections, lists, charts. She's practical and down to earth. Even though it wasn't what I expected, I definately found it interesting and worth looking at.



2. To begin with I would like to include a quote that describes my opinion regarding this book."
   
   "Talent is the ability to hit a target others cannot hit; genius is the ability to hit a hit a target others cannot see." Schopenhauer/author
   
   Lynn Hoover's new book is a refreshing change which includes a comprehensive outlook regarding treating the dog's "problem behaviors" within the context of the family and other support personnel.
   
   As an applied behavior analyst by trade and experience with people,and animals specifically horses, the book provides an interdisciplinary process based upon systematic procedures validated in the behavioral world as "state of the art treatment". Buy the book and improve the quality of life for your animals and your family. Debbie Strother, MS, BCBA, CABA/Equine

No comments about Conservation of the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog: Saving North America's Western Grasslands.

No comments about Just Chocolate Lab Puppies 2009 Calendar (Just).

2 comments about Your Dream Dog: Guide to Choosing the Right Breed for You, A.

1. I think this book would appeal most to folks searching for a dog with little knowledge of the breeds themselves. I won this book and paid little attention to it for a long time. When I finally browsed through it, I was shocked to find that the breed information given about "my" breed (Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs) is almost 100% incorrect. The breed history is inaccurate, the breed standards are misstated and the personality traits are totally wrong. It seems like Mr. Dibra didn't even do cursory research on the breed before writing a summary about it. I'm not as familiar with many other breeds, but did find some glaring inaccuracies about others as well. Please research breeds through nationally accredited breed websites. If you want to research a breed or breeds, don't trust this book as an accurate source of information. I'm sure Mr. Dibra is an expert on dog training, but he obviously is no expert on breeds or types.



2. Before I really get into to this, one mild word of warning. In the past couple of years, I have become friends with noted dog trainer Sarah Wilson, who along with her husband, Brian Kilcommons, have written several dog books, including the one I consider the current reigning and undisputed champ of the "how to pick your dog" genre, "Paws To Consider"...it may be worth your while to keep that in mind as you read this...and with that in mind, how does Bash Dibra's "Your Dream Dog" stack up?

   Pretty well actually. Mr. Dibra is well-known dog trainer himself, and to be honest about it, his book does offer a couple of advantages over "Paws" (although it feels slightly treasonous to me to say that...)To begin with, his breed listing contains more breeds than does "Paws" (over 160 compared to 147) and some may also find his straight alphabetical listing easier to use than the by lifestyle approach used by Brian and Sarah. Okay, no more comparisons to "Paws" or mentioning of other dog trainers...

   Mr. Dibra does all dog lovers a favor by listing in his dog "groups" (or types in this case) the most common of all breeds/types/ call it what you will...the common everyday mutt. And along those lines he echoes the feelings of other noted "dog people" that the potential new dog owner not be fooled by the current fad of matching one breed or another to a poodle, calling it a "something-a-poo" (cockapoo, pekeapoo, whatever) and billing it as a new breed. They not. Period. Cute, yes, adorable without a doubt, but folks, these guys are just plain mutts. Don't pay pure breed prices for a mix.

   "Your Dream Dog" also deserves applause for mentioning that your dream dog maybe one of those unfortunates abandoned at the shelter. Yes you can get pure breds there too, and the number of dogs (and cats) that are killed each year in this country is nothing short of criminal.

   More credit must be given to Mr. Dibra for including the "puppy temperment test", a more or less standard test used to be the right puppy for you out of a liter, mentioned in dog books by..er...other dog book authors. (See? No names.)

   Other pluses includ what to have ready when your new puppy comes home, something so many of us forget, until you raise a frantic shout "Oh my god, I forgot to get...(what?") He also lists activties that you can share with your dog, (and there are a lot of them) and the fact that your dream puppy may be and need not be a puppy at all. Adult dogs can and do bond to their new owners. Our own West Highland White Terrier( ada "Westie), Sally, was five when we got her, and it has been a great match-up.

   So what is wrong with the book? Well, a few things, minor for the most part. The brief breed description are a little too brief, especially in regard to the diseases that various breeds are subject too. Mitral Valve Disorder is listed as a problem for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, with no mention that this problem is a real killer in these cute little fellows. The national breed assocation for the Cavvy estimates that as many as 50% of the dogs may have this. Breeders are working hard on curing the problem, but starting out so far behind is real handicap. Skin allegeies are real problem, especially in summer for Westies and their owners, but this is not even mentioned in the breed description, although it is in the appendixes dealing with medical problems, but the potential owner of these dogs would not know that without specifally looking for it.

   Which brings me to what I think is the major flaw in "Your Dream Dog." There is no index. I was actually more than a little surprised to see that, since this is a book intended to be used, and used hard. It's not fair to blame Mr. Dibra for this of course, but someone sure dropped the ball here.

   Still the book is a worthwhile additon to a dog-lovers library. "Your Dream Dog" doesn't merely lecture, it teaches. All dog trainers, breeders what have you, will agree that research in arugably the most important of the first steps in getting your canine companion and this book will be a good one to begin your search.

   Would have given it a 5, but since, you know, there ain't no-stinking-index, I took away a point, (actually a half, but Amazon won't let me do that) for a score of 4 1/2

1 comments about The Road to Westminster: How to Select and Train a Purebred Dog and Prepare It for the Show Ring.

1. I found this book to be an excellent resource when I was just beginning in the dog show world almost 10 years ago. The Freemans were able to turn the sometimes baffling "rules" of the show world into plain and understandable english. I learned so much from this book. Everything an aspiring show dog owner needs to including selecting your first show puppy, early show training, pre-show preparations and tips for handling in the ring.

5 comments about Dog'S Best Friend: More Citizen Dog Reflections (Citizen Dog).

1. Searching the net for dogs in cartoons and comics, I stumbled on Fergus and Mel - and fell in love with them immediately. So I rushed to Amazon and bought the 3 "Citizen Dog" available books, and boy -- what a joy!
   
   Fergus and company do entertain, with clever writing and appealing characters. Mel *is* dog's best friend; he and pal Fergus always are having fun together, like two children in a toy store. At the same time, they have their fights with each other. All in all, it always make you smile.
   
   And although being a dog person, I cannot help from saying that Cuddles (AKA Claws, the culturally ambiguous cat) has become one of my favorite comic characters ever. Maybe because he is a little bit naive, and not so egoistical and mean like cats use to be... (sorry for that!). I also like Arlo and Bruno.
   
   Forgot Snoopy and Garfield, folks; it's "Citizen Dog" time now. Way to go, Mark O'Hare!



2. How can you not love a dog that drives, speaks French, and makes a mean macaroni and cheese? Once again, Fergus and his human Mel engage in a battle of wits and will. Naturally, Fergus comes out on top. (Don't blame Mel though -- he's only human.) This volume is actually my favorite of the three, mainly because it contains a sequence of strips en Francais. It's truly classic. (I think I still have the original newspaper strips somewhere.) There's also a good bit about Cuddles the Cat exploring his inner tomcat, leather jacket and all. All in all, I say buy this book and Vive les Weenies!



3. The "Citizen Dog" comic strip was one of the best ever. Mark O'Hare has a delightfully wicked sense of humor and he brings such life and animation to his characters. You don't have to be a dog lover to appreciate Fergus, the smart-mouthed dog in this series ... or the lovable antics of his owner, Mel. Get a taste for the comic strip at: http://www.ucomics.com/citizendog/.

   Unfortunately, Mark O'Hare is no longer creating new Citizen Dog strips, so all we have left is these fabulous books. There are three in the series:
   1) Citizen Dog: The First Collection [ISBN: 0836251865]
   2) Dog's Best Friend: More Citizen Dog Reflections [ISBN: 0836267516]
   3) D is for Dog [ISBN: 0740704575]

   Buy two of each ... because someone's gonna want your copy!
   Happy reading!




4. Funnier than the first book? I found it hard to believe, but it's absolutely true! And while these books hold a special place for pet owners, everyone can relate to the humourous insights on everyday life.



5. Citizen Dog is one of THE best comic strip of the 90's. It's clever, witty, and downright funny. A great book.

3 comments about The Brussels Griffon: An Owner's Guideto aHappy Healthy Pet.

1. This book will do very little to help you understand the Brussels Griffon. There are only a few pages about Griffs. The rest is about any kind of dog, and Griffs are not like other dogs. They have many unusual traits. Save your money and buy a book that is really about Griffs. The only one I know of is Doone Raynham's.



2. I thought this book was a wonderful guide to the breed; the last 1/2 of the book consists of standard guidelines applicable to any breed. The first half has beautiful pictures of representatives of the breed and gives forth knowledge of their specific personalities. I especially love the dog on the cover of the book.



3. It's a nice book, well printed with good pictures. Has good basic info about the Griffons. I get dissapionted with the training section. This section is for general dogs, not special for the Griffons. I think if you want general info (you don't know anyhing)about this dog you can by the book, but if you look just how you train your Griffon or want very deep info, don't buy it.

2 comments about Breaking & Riding.

1. Perhaps a telling of the times, James Fillis' work seems to have generated a dedicated following of horsemen and women alike. His work has also generated dislike. I found myself in a mix between the two. While he certainly has ideas and methods that work and apply to the horse, there are many holes that seem to have left me feeling that the book in it's entirety was not as valuable as it was once disected. To me it had more in common with the training of Saddleseat horses, which is evident in his very manner of seat in the photographs, and to modern day competitive dressage, than to any form of "classical" riding. I think it is well worth reading for the history and understanding of how riding has come to be in modern times, but little value in absorbing for one's own riding advancement.



2. James Fillis fue uno de los grandes maestros de la equitacion academica, señores, si no tienen este libro en español o ingles, entonces no conocen a uno de los mejores criticos de Francois Baucher, ya que en este libro se explica perfectamente como corregir algunos pequeños errores cometidos en la obra maestra de Baucher, aqui tambien vas a conocer la base de sustentacion del caballo y como modificarla sistematicamente, todo sin montar al caballo, ya que los caballos tiene el 60% de su peso en el tren anterior y el 40% en el tren posterior, aprenderas pie a tierra como hacerle al potro las flexiones directas y laterales de nuca y pescuezo, las rotaciones de espaldas y grupa, vueltas sobre las manos y piernas, pasos laterales, giros, cambios de pie y mano, paso español, passage, y muchas cosas mas que deben conocer todos aquellos que inician aun potro durante su enseñanza primaria y de alta escuela.
   
   Hace mas de cien años este libro en su momento fue muy demandado en España por equitadores que practicaban la Doma Vaquera, y ya como sabemos hoy la Doma de Campo y rejoneo es de las mejores del mundo.
   
   No lo piensen mucho y no se pierdan la oportunidad de adquirir este libro que va a trascender por muchas generaciones.