5 comments about Stress in Dogs.

1. I was disappointed in this book. It has two flaws--either the original writing was awkward, or the translation is bad--it's hard to tell which. Second, and more importantly, it doesn't have a great deal of practical utility. There are many signs of stress listed, that include almost every dog behavior under the sun, and many causes, which are, again, multiple. The most interesting fact I picked up from it was that dogs need an average of 17 hours a day of sleep not to be stressed! If the reader needs a really useful reference on how to recognize stress in dogs, Canine Body Language by Aloff is much, much more useful, or the original pamphlet Turid Rugaas.



2. This book clearly discusses the types of stresses dogs have and helps humans understand and deal with those stresses. A great read for the serious dog person.



3. Stress in Dogs Although this is a very well written book, I found myself asking questions, like why did a longer leash work better? Could have been a little more detailed.



4. Too few people realize the stresses that our domestic dogs face on a daily basis. This book describes what to look for and how to reduce stress in our dogs. Myraid of behavior problems are rooted in stress and this book is an excellent resource for anyone that wants to modify their dogs behavior by identifying and removing stressors from their environment.



5. Written by expert dog trainers Martina Scholz and Clarissa von Reinhardt, Stress in Dogs: Learn How Dogs Show Stress And What You Can Do To Help is a guidebook for professional canine trainers and ordinary pet owners alike about dealing with an overstressed dog. Common symptoms of stress include such harmful behaviors as destroying the house while the owner is away, hyperactivity, over-shedding, or a plethora of medical ills. Straightforward instructions and color photographs walk the reader through basic techniques to help a stressed dog, means to avoid stressors that are specific to male or female dogs, guidelines for how many outings are too many and how much stimulation is too much, and much more. Numerous real-life behavior examples illustrate the points in this practical-minded, problem-solving guide to fostering a better quality of life for both dogs and their owners.

5 comments about The Stone Guide to Dog Grooming for All Breeds.

1. This is a very good quality book with lots of helpful information. It could have had a few more illustrations to help with the grooming process, but is very helpful overall.



2. This is a good guide for traditional cuts. It gives enough information to get the haircut done. Some of the info is a little outdated, but overall it's one of the books I've used as my "bible". It's definitely a book that should be in every groomer's library.



3. This is a very excellent informative book on how to groom. I highly reccomend it!



4. NICE BOOK IF YOU ONLY NEED TO LEARN HOW TO BATHE, TRIM EARS OR CLIP NAILS. DOESNT TELL YOU WHAT SIZE ATTACHMENTS TO USE OR WHAT PART OF THE BODY TO USE THE DIFFERENT ATTACHMENTS.ITS BETTER IF YOU HAVE A POODLE, MORE PAGES DEVOTED TO IT. ONLY ONE PER OTHER DOG!



5. IF you need a book to learn how to start Kennel clipping, do not buy this one.
   
   IF you want to be a groomer in a city and work in someone else's shop then go for it.
   
   I do strip clips and summer clips so this book was not very helpful to me in that area.

1 comments about Best Hikes With Dogs: Southern California (Best Hikes With Dogs).

1. So you live in Southern California and want to take your dog for a good walk in the out of doors. Where do you go? This is a problem that came up for me when my relatives from out of state visited and naively assumed they could take a dog pretty much anywhere. There are so many restrictions on dogs in this state that it can be downright daunting to take your four legged friend on vacation with you. Happily, you can find dozens of wonderful hikes in Allen Reidel's new book. You and your pooch are more than welcome on all of them.
   
   Not surprisingly, this book does list some of the "dog beaches" where you can actually walk with your pet (unlike the remaining 99% of the coast), but the thrust of this book describes the many wonderful hikes open to your dog in the Los Padres, Angeles, San Bernardino and Cleveland National Forests. The multiple use policy of the forest service is much more open to pets than the other major state and national land agencies. And in Southern California, national forests offer some of the premier outdoor recreation in the state. Reidel includes some classic hikes in these areas: Knapp's Cabin, Mt. Baden Powell, and the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area are just some of the popular trailheads he describes. However, hikers will also find some remote and spectacular hikes to share with their dogs that are rarely mentioned in other guidebooks. Black Mountain, Cleghorn Mountain, and Kitchen Peak are some of my favorite trails. You can easily find yourself enjoying solitude on these trails even on weekends.
   
   In all, this is an excellent book. I do have a few concerns however. In a few cases, I think mileages are too short. Also, Reidel suggests you should not walk your dog in areas with bighorn sheep. He then lists two trails (Baden-Powell and Toro Peak) where bighorn frequent. I'm not sure I understand that. But what I really don't understand are the policies that make a book like this necessary at all. Unfortunately, national parks and California State Parks have adopted an anti-dog (really anti-people) attitude about recreation. Their rationale is that dogs disrupt the "natural" wildlife in an area. And this is simply untrue. Dogs (wild and domesticated) have been around for thousands of years and they are a part of the environment. If anything, it is "unnatural" for dogs not to be in the wild. So, as you use this book to find wonderful adventures for you and your pet, consider a little political activism on behalf of "man's (and woman's) best friend." Maybe this state will eventually adopt a more enlightened policy and future editions of this book could simply be titled "Best Hikes in Southern California."

5 comments about Training Your German Shepherd (Training Your Dog Series).

1. I liked this book. It contains lots of good tips on how to educate a GSD. I also enjoyed the many good pictures of GSDs displaying their traits and showing their skills. However, one can follow the advice, attempt to teach the lessons, ask for obedience, beg for mercy, but if the dog wants to follow the car, jump on the cyclist, tear your shirt or hide your socks, he WILL DO IT!! Perhaps I did not pay enough attention to all the details about training, or Bronco (my GSD) has a heart the size of a mountain, capable of expressing immeasurable and unconditional love, plus the strength of a locomotive and the will of bull, but he has proven to be nearly untrainable. He's quit hiding my socks, but I already gave up on things such as "search and rescue" training. Forget also about "bomb and weapon detection". I guess I cannot blame Dan Rice's book.....



2. While the book has a lot of good advice , IMHO too much is dedicated to specialized training (rescue, work, etc.); basic training tips are mentioned in a minimalistic way. Overall I was dissapointed.



3. I find most of Baron's pet series books to be very general



4. I was expecting a basic training manual with a few things directed to the GSD but instead it goes from simple sit and come tricks to how to teach your dog search and tracking. It helps by explaining that if you play certain games or teach certain tricks early on, it would help if you are training them for a more advanced work and tasks, like tracking or search and rescue. It has good pictures that explain much of what they are writing about and lots of info and explaining on tricks, the breed and more advanced jobs the GSDs are known to do. I would recommend for anyone wanting to train their dog basic manners and training or more advanced levels of the training or those that just want to know more about the breed and what it is able to do a learn. It is very helpful and great for first time owners.



5. Not a complete training manuel. Very elementary training. Sit Spot Sit stuff.

5 comments about How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves.

1. this was sort of helpful- I read it in the hall when I'm waiting for dog to be "quiet" for certain amount of time before treating. I liked the part about conditioning and flooding. good advice about giving the dog an "over the top treat" when leaving- cause dogfood pellets just weren't cutting it for my dog...cheesewhiz and kong works fairly well so far- at least until dog gets bored with it then I'll have to throw down a big ole slab of meat or something to top that business.



2. How To Behave So Your Dog Behaves--A practical and intelligent guide for dog owners
   
   by E. Kathryn Meyer, VMD
   President, American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
   
   The first thing that engaged me in Sophia Yin's How To Behave So Your Dog Behaves was its title. As a veterinarian who treats behavioral problems in dogs and cats exclusively, I strive to teach my clients that we can't use a magic wand to eradicate unwanted behavior in dogs. We have to first understand the behavior and then devise methods of changing the behavior in a positive way--usually by giving the dog a good reason to engage in an acceptable alternative behavior. If we read our dogs correctly, we can teach them what is desired and then use motivators specific to our individual dog and situation to reinforce the right stuff. Dr. Yin's book is aptly titled and provides a wealth of science-based information translated into witty and easily understood language, accompanied by helpful and charming illustrations.
   
   To build a foundation of basic dog knowledge, Dr. Yin first educates the reader about the origin of dogs, their social behavior, and body language. Then, she introduces and explains the science of learning, its potential and its limitations. But the real gold mine for dog owners lies in the Five-Minute Guides covered in the last two sections of the book on Basic Good Dog Behavior and Solving Common Canine Problems. The first section gives the reader explicit instructions on how to teach very specific behaviors that are incredibly important to having a well-behaved, well-adjusted dog. The recommendations for "Say Please by Sitting" and "Walk Nicely on Leash" are the most effective tools I've encountered for creating a well-mannered dog--substituting specific and acceptable behaviors for unruly behaviors that are often unknowingly reinforced by owners. (Do you look at, speak to, and/or touch your dog when he jumps up on you? Bingo--you're rewarding that behavior!) Methods to train other very important basic behaviors, such as learning to focus on the owner with "Watch Me," coming when called, staying, and going to "your place" are also thoroughly described.
   
   In addition to covering the prevention of problems, Dr. Yin also devotes a section to solving some common behavioral issues encountered by dog owners. The problems are briefly described and recommendations are outlined for such topics as Housetraining, Chew Training, Food Possessiveness, Aggression Toward Non-Family Members, and Barking.
   
   For the intellectually curious, this book provides the reader with a goldmine of information about the natural behavior of dogs, learning theory, and applied animal behavior. Of particular note is the inclusion of two landmark scientific papers on animal learning by Keller and Marian Breland (1951, 1961), in their entirety, in an Appendix. Dr. Yin prefaces these articles by giving a brief historical perspective of "How the Science of Learning Made it to Animal Trainers" and then whets the reader's appetite by providing an interview with Marian and her second husband, Bob Bailey. I would encourage anyone with even a flicker of curiosity about animals and how they interface with their environment to read this section--paying particular attention to how the 10 years of experience training thousands of animals changed the outlook of the authors in terms of the role of instinct and limitations to learning.
   
   If you are more utilitarian in your approach to reading this book, it will still be of great use to you. The reader can simply consult the "Five-Minute Guide" section on common behavioral problems to learn about a specific issue. A glossary is also provided, which will help the reader understand terms that may be unfamiliar. However, I would strongly urge the reader to review the entire Guide to Basic Good Dog Behavior section prior to addressing specific problems for best results.
   
   "How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves" is a fabulous resource for every dog owner. All of the tools you need to allow your dog to be the best dog (and best behaved dog) he can be are at your fingertips. These approaches are truly a "win/win" for dog and owner alike.



3. I'd been hearing good things about Sophia Yin for a while, and since I like to keep up with new trainers who've got innovative ideas, I thought I'd give this book a look-see. Sad to say, I was more than a bit disappointed. Before I go further, I'm an author myself, so I don't want anyone to NOT buy this book based on my review. It's actually a fun, easy to read manual, giving the reader the basic highlights to the methods used by "modern, positive" trainers. I loved the clever, nicely drawn illustrations. The writing is clear and concise. And, as with most "positive" training manuals, if you follow the methods carefully you probably won't screw your dog up too much, at least not like you would by following the advice in books by the Monks of New Skete, or Cesar Millan. I call the kind of approach Yin uses "dog training lite", and give HOW TO BEHAVE SO YOUR DOG BEHAVES a B+ in that arena.
   
   Here's my main criticism: dogs have deep, instinctive needs that Yin and most "positive reinforcement" based trainers don't understand. Their philosophy, and Yin's, is that play is just another way of rewarding good behavior. That's okay, there's nothing wrong with that, but Yin doesn't seem to understand that there's actually a lot more to play than mere positive reinforcement. It's the basis for all learning in dogs, because even though they no longer need to hunt for a living, their instincts still make them need to behave as if they did. That's why most of the games dogs play involve some aspect of their prey drive.
   
   Here's Yin's view: "Both wolves and dogs have a prey drive, but the drive is more dangerous in the wolf. Thus,...tripping and squealing in the presence of a wolf could trigger an attack."
   
   Perhaps it would trigger an attack, but it WOULDN'T trigger the prey drive. What she's describing is more of a fear-based reflex than a predatory motor pattern. And by the way, a dog's prey drive--if not given a proper outlet through play--is actually a lot more dangerous than the wolf's prey drive could ever be. In a later chapter Yin almost says as much, in that she tells us that the prey drive is what causes dogs to chase and bite children, which is partially true. But Yin neglects to mention, or even consider, that the prey drive is also what causes dogs to want to heel, and stay, and come when called. In fact, almost all obedience behaviors have their origins in the predatory motor patterns of wild wolves. Even the very act of obedience is directly related to the way wolves hunt together in a spirit of group harmony and cooperation.
   
   Which brings up another problem: Yin perpetuates the outmoded view that canine social behavior centers around conflicts over who's alpha and who's not. This idea, which has now been disproven, was based on studies done in the 1930s and 40s on wolves living under the stress of captivity. Wild wolves don't form hierarchies. So what we've been taught were "dominant and submissive" behaviors are based on stress, and are not part of a dog's natural social instincts. Yet in HOW TO BEHAVE SO YOUR DOG BEHAVES, Yin frequently refers to dogs wanting to "wear the pants in the family", and has a whole chapter on "Dominance Aggression: A Struggle for Status", making her no different philosophically in this one regard than the Monks & Cesar Millan!
   
   I DO give Dr. Yin points for printing "The Misbehavior of Organisms", a 1961 article from AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGIST, which details some conditioning failures where a group of various species were taught to push a button to get food, but ultimately preferred producing instinctive food-related behaviors even though those behaviors weren't reinforced. In fact, an experiment with a group of pigs had to be stopped or the animals would've starved to death! As a result, the authors of the study, Keller and Marian Breland (now Marian Bailey), wrote, "There are definite weaknesses in the philosophy underlying these techniques." There still are; instincts still trump conditioning, as any dog owner who's tried to lure his dog away from chasing squirrels or the neighbor's cat could tell you.
   
   I don't mean to be too hard on Yin personally. I gave the book 3 stars, and I wish her well. At least her techniques don't usually CREATE behavioral problems like the Monks and Cesar's do (though clicker training has been shown to cause hyper-anxiety, and to increase scavenging and counter-surfing problems in some dogs). And as I said, this is a great version of a "dog training lite" manual. I just think that Yin needs a better understanding of the power of play, and what your dog's prey drive is really all about.



4. This is hands down the best book on training dogs I have read. On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 6. Although I would have preferred actual pictures to the drawings, the drawings are entertaining and effectively illustrate the points being made. Her techniques are kind to the dog, easy to follow and have very effective results. I've begun using the techniques described in this book with a dog I recently adopted who had been badly abused in his prior life. He responds with enthusiasm, and really enjoys his lessons. I would recommend this book to anyone who owns a dog, whether they think their dog needs training or not!



5. I found this book extremely useful in training dogs. The emphasis is on understanding dog behavior so that you can effectively communicate with them. I have seen vast improvements in the dogs I have employed her technique on and I highly recommend this book!

5 comments about The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat.

1. This book is terrific. It provides a general guide to companion animal care (In a natural way ofcourse), and then lists ailments and accompanying herbal remedies. Easy to use, easy to understand. Suitable for practitioners and animal lovers. If you have a pet then you should buy this book.



2. Well this book is mainly only for the use for dogs. I was thinking it's be more like a herbal/ailment glossary. You know, about what's wrong with your pet and what herb to use for it. It does have that in the book but very little and it's got more literature in it than I had wanted.



3. This book is an excellent source of almost forgotten and useful information. I am constantly going back to reread sections and have bought it for my farming, animal loving daughters.



4. First I will give the author due credit for her general ideas on natural rearing, caution of over-vaccination, recommendation of a natural raw diet and advice to provide plenty of exercise, sunshine and love.
   
   With that said, some of her suggestions are iffy at best:
   
   The suggestion to not spay and neuter is very ignorant. Overpopulation in dogs and cats leads to euthanasia, homeless pets, pets with bad homes because they were given away to anybody, etc,etc. There is no side effect of spaying and neutering that even comes close to being as harmful to our pets as the side effects of overpopulation.
   
   The author recommends burying meat in the backyard as a healthful alternative to freezing.
   
   She recommends feeding grains with the raw bones, so that the grains can protect the stomach/intestines from any sharp bone fragments. To expect that to work is just silly, and dogs do not need grains in their diets.
   
   She recommends feeding dried fruits,specifically including raisins, but raisins are toxic to dogs!
   
   She recommends red raspberry leaf for pregnant females but this has been scientifically proven to cause a higher fetal mortality rate, and it induces uterine contractions which is not always a good thing.
   
   She does have some good advice, but I wouldn't blindly trust all of the information contained in this book. Natural rearing is best for your dog, but definitely do your own research and make your own informed decisions.



5. I had bought two of Juliette's herbal books for cats and dogs when I read another book by a different author who had recommended Juliette's books specifically. One of our cats had developed a strange problem where his fur ceased to grow in a large area on his left flank. The spot started out small but gradually grew large and larger until a spot several inches in diameter was mostly fur-less on our cat. Our vet ran a number a tests which came up negative and we even ran tests twice. Our vet said he didn't know the cause of the problem. We had our cat for years and he is an indoor cat fed typical dry cat food (Whiskas), as are all our kitties, and we also give our cats canned tuna fish frequently, as well as chicken breast, turkey breast and beef occasionally. We didn't think his problem could be diet-related. Our other cats are very healthy and our vet even remarked on their coats saying they were the most beautiful he had seen. We tried some things the vet suggested, including giving our cat vitamin E supplements and even cod liver oil but nothing helped the problem and it just seemed to get worse over several months. I searched around the internet trying to find informataion on a possible cause of his condition but found nothing really. I thought perhaps his problem could be a thyroid condition. When I consulted Juliette's book, she recommended seaweed, garlic or raw egg yolks for thyroid problems. As I already had eggs in the house, I decided to try those first. I mixed raw egg yolk into my cat's tuna fish and fed that to him on several days and then we noticed that his fur looked like it was growing back. I worried about feeding him too much egg yolks as I didn't want him getting too much cholesterol so I ceased feeding the egg yolk after about a week but his fur continued to grow back until it was all the way grown back and he seems fine now. I'm thankful this book helped us find a way to help our cat. It was worth the price of the book just for the help with that one problem, though I will continue to consult the book in future if my cats need any more treatment for any future ailments. Juliette seems very knowledgeable about natural and herbal remedies. I bought her book "Common Herbs for Natural Health" and used some of her recommended treatments on myself as well with very good results.

No comments about Dogs: History, Myth, Art.

5 comments about Living with Pugs.

1. Absolute best photographs of Pugs I have ever seen. Highly recommend book to anyone who loves Pugs.



2. This book is presented in a lovely style, with wonderful pictures. It's easy to ready and understand; informative.



3. This book is a must have for all passionate pug lovers. Great photgraphs and well written and informative text, an absolute delight



4. I have owned pugs for 12 years now. They are wonderful little dogs, but they do have a personality that is not for every dog owner. This book does a great job of presenting the pros and cons of pug ownership (Pugs are loyal, fun, friendly, and great companions. They are non-aggressive and get along well with other pets and family members. However, pugs shed a lot, make really funny and sometimes loud noises, aren't a dog to take jogging, and are pretty useless as guard dogs.) The photos are stunning, the information is factual and helpful if someone is trying to decide if a pug is the dog for them.



5. I have many books on pugs and this is the best of them all....Very thorough info and covers just about every topic on pugs you would need. The pictures are beautiful also. It is as beautiful as a glossy coffee table book with just pictures and super informative on top of that. The best and highly recommended!!!

5 comments about Homer for the Holidays: The Further Adventures of Wilson the Pug.

1. This is a sequel to "The Tao of Pug," but in a completely different format. While the prequel dealt with Wilson's philosophy, this is a straight-up Christmas tale that is sure to engage people of all ages. Whether it's the heart-wrenching story of yearning for a home and love, or the adorable and witty accompanying pictures, this book is sure to become a Christmas classic in your house. It's also a great gift idea for anyone from toddlers to grandparents!



2. I have fallen in love with Wilson as portrayed by Nancy Levine. I think this is another great Wilson book. (If you haven't read the other 3, you must!) Great coffee table book, great gift, great to make you smile on a down day. Heart-warming tale of rescue from a puppy mill but light-hearted with a lot of humor in the photos and Wilson's editorials. Can't miss on this or any of Nancy Levine and Wilson's books!



3. Homer for the Holidays is a cute book that pug (and Taoism) lovers will enjoy. It injects humor and Taoist wisdom into the story of a puppy who escaped from the puppy mill and Wilson the Pug's effort to find him a home. The photos are adorable. It makes a great holiday gift.



4. FIRST OF ALL I HAVE 2 GORGEOUS PUGS AND LIVE IN AUSTRALIA. I FIRST READ THE TAO OF PUG AND LOVED IT. I HAD TO THEN BUY HOMER FOR THE HOLIDAYS. THE PHOTOS ARE THE BEST IN BOTH BOOKS AND WILL MAKE YOU LAUGH SO HARD. HOMER FOR THE HOLIDAYS IS A STORY OF HOMER A LOST PUG WHO IS TRYING TO FIND A HOME WITH THE HELP OF WILSON. IT IS MORE OF A STORY THAN THE TAO OF PUG WHICH IS FUNNY INSIGHTS INTO THE LIFE OF WILSON. IT HAS A GOOD THEME BEHIND IT OF CARING FOR ANIMALS OVER PROFITS AND I THINK IT PERFECTLY CATCHES THE PERSONALITY OF THESE LITTLE ANIMALS.



5. "Homer For The Holidays: The Further Adventures of Wilson the Pug" is a lovable book because of the lovable pugs within this magical story. As a pug lover, of course my face will soften and my spirits will rise at the sight of the pugs in the story, but non-pug adorers will still feel the joy when the read this delightful heartwarming story that can be enjoyed in and out of the holiday season. I recommend.

2 comments about The Everything Labrador Retriever Book: A Complete Guide to Raising, Training, and Caring for Your Lab (Everything Series).

1. I purchased this book while we were considering getting a labrador retriever puppy and researching the breed. "The Everything Labrador Retriever Book" has been a terrific resource with information about the breed, where to get your dog, what to look for, how to prepare for the dog, bringing the puppy/dog home, how to keep your dog healthy and happy, basic training tips, etc. Topics are easy to find and read. We've literally used this book every step of the way... in researching breeders, bringing our puppy home, and finding answers to last minute questions as they come up.
   
   My only complaint about the book would be that the suggested questions for breeders are located at the very end of the book... I would think these would be included with the "how to choose a breeder" section earlier in the book. Also, leash training was one of the very first "needs" for us once we brought our pup (6 months when we got him) home, yet the book did not discuss this much. I was able to find leash training tips online, but was disappointed not to find it in the book.
   
   Overall, the book does not contain EVERYTHING you could ever want/need to know, but it comes pretty close. It's definitely a great resource for the novice labrador retriever owner, but may be a bit redundant for those who are more experienced. I definitely recommend this book.



2. When it says the everything, it does tell you everything. It even has mini tips on facts, alerts and even questions that you may have on a lab. People that want to learn and care, I would highly reccomend this book.