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.

5 comments about The New Work of Dogs: Tending to Life, Love, and Family.

1. What kind of person stands by and watches as another person beats an innocent and helpless dog? Doesn't that make you an accessory to the crime?



2. MR. KATZ NOT ONLY UNDERSTANDS DOGS,BUT UNDERSTANDS HOW WE HUMANS FEEL ABOUT OUR PUPS. I TRULY LOVE HIS BOOKS AND HAVE READ ALL OF THEM....



3. I've read many, many good dog books. After reading this one I can say without reservation that this is not one of them. It's formula based and predictible and poorly written. Seems like I've seen a lot of this "stuff" before.
   
   If you love good writing and dogs and books about dogs don't crack this book. Don't make me say I told you so. Yuk!



4. I really enjoyed reading this book about the new work of dogs. Jon Katz writes what I always see in the lives of people with dogs, but can't exactly put into words. He does a great job of that by writing about the lives of people with dogs and how their dogs serve them. Yes, there are actual working dogs in the world working on farms and such. But the work he writes about in this book is more emotional, even spiritual. It is about how we see our dogs, what we expect of them, and in turn how we treat them. Some people in the book relied on their dogs for emotional support, companionship, unconditional love. Others only needed them for a season of their lives, then discarded them, or didn't see their dogs as in need just as we are for just being dogs and having human companionship. I see people like this everywhere. Jon Katz does a fantastic job of writing about real-life examples of this new work. Some stories are heartbreaking, while others make you smile. It's a great book.



5. Other reviews of this book have done a good job of summarizing its thesis, which is that dogs were "previously" bred for physical labor and are now primarily in the business of serving their owners' emotional needs.
   
   I've really enjoyed some of Katz's previous books. I am not a "dog person," but I have found his analysis of dog/human interactions to be well-documented and surprising. This book, however, was a big disappointment. Katz provides little evidence for his historical generalizations, and, by focusing largely on suburban owners who have unbalanced relationships with their canines, he overstates the significance of the "new work" he identifies for dogs.
   
   Katz focuses almost exclusively on middle-class American dog owners, with little attention to urban dwellers (save one chapter)or rural dog-owners who still use their dogs for farm labor or hunting, not "show" sheepherding. What about dogs in other countries and locales, who still perform work in a variety of contexts? We don't even have to leave the US for examples. How are dogs in Alaska or Wyoming or the Jersey Pine Barrens different from dogs in the smug 'burb of Montclair?
   
   Dogs have labored as part of the family for centuries, and they still do in many parts of the world. But that doesn't mean they also haven't served as loved and loving companions as well. Literature from previous eras is full of examples of how domestic pets have meant more to their humans than just "go get the sheep, Spike." (And not just in children's books; check out poet Christopher Smart's seventeenth-century poem "In Praise of my Cat Geoffrey.") Katz doesn't talk about the history of dog/human relationships in depth; he simply argues by assertion that dogs were "previously" used for physical labor and are are "now" primarily engaged in emotional labor.
   
   I think a wider perspective and a "both/and" focus would be more informative for Katz to pursue. Today, serving humans' emotional needs may be the primary task of suburban dogs - but it's not the ONLY THING. Sometimes humans' relationships with dogs are balanced rather than pathological or subtly abusive (like many of the owners he portrays in his book). Some dogs aren't just "used" by humans, but develop powerful attachments to people - in spite of Katz's assertion, based on advice from a breeder friend, that dogs will forget a vanished human almost immediately.
   
   Finally: when humans observe emotional responses in animals, this doesn't necessarily mean we're anthropomorphizing. Perhaps emotions aren't a uniquely human province. Perhaps humans as a species aren't as exceptional as we like to think we are. Perhaps there is a much wider territory out there than Katz maps here.

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.

5 comments about Bernese Mountain Dog: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet.

1. Once we identified the Bernese as the breed for us we began researching. After many weeks of emails and phone calls we tracked down Julia Crawford and the Wyemede Kennels. Julia has a long history with the breed and has proven to be a great resource of knowledge. This book has given us everything we need to know as first time owners of this wonderful breed. Highly recommended.



2. All dog owners could use this but for the Berner owner it is great...



3. We just purchased a new AKC BMD and we utilize this book often. Good purchase...



4. This book is a general guide for all breeds and does have some photos of bernese mountain dogs and it covers all types of health problems, training, and puppy info and other important issues in owning dogs, however it is in general covering all dog breeds and I would recommend "Bernese Mountain Dogs by "Amy Christiansen". However, these are two of the top books that I would give to anyone who has an interest in the Bernese Mountain Dog. I presently own both books.
   Garret DeGraff
   Newton, NJ USA



5. I heard this was a great book, and I ordered it May 1st . . . Amazon asked me twice over the next 2 months if I still wanted the book because it was taking so long to ship. The order was finally cancelled in July! I would certainly buy this book if I saw it in a bookstore - Amazon's "usually ships in 12 to 14 days" just didn't hold true for me.

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.

5 comments about Goldendoodle (Designer Dog).

1. This book might be what you are looking for IF you are planning to get a Goldendoodle. The first 2 chapters are spent telling you stories about how Goldendoodles came to be and what great dogs they are. If you already know how great these dogs are, it's nice to read from someone that loves doodles so much, but it wasn't really informative. I was really hoping to get more specific insight for training tips, different stages in their lives, maybe more pictures of how they keep changing during their first year of life, how often to bathe, more practical tips. It has useful information on how to find a breeder and what to look for. As an owner of a Goldendoodle puppy, it was enjoyable to read but didn't get my questions answered :)



2. 
   perfect companion piece to the 'puppies for dummies' book, if Goldendoodles are your thing.



3. Interesting content on the development of this "non-breed" but not particulary helpful for what I was looking for. I would've liked to see the puppy coat types as they change develop into dogs...important for picking out a pup from a litter. The chapter titled "Breeding" shoud be changed to "genetics" or something, I was frightened it would be a "How-to" chapter...thankfully it was NOT.
   
   Also, I think it has some of the most disappointing Goldendoodle photography out there! I have been surfing the web and have found much better looking pictures and more variations of Goldendoodles (coat types, colors, sizes, natural/clipped coats) than this book offers. So if you are looking for pictures, I would just do an image search...it turns up much more satifying results.
   
   The "Puppy Aquisitions" assumes the only way to geta Goldendoodle is through a breeder. Some tips and info on finding one through a rescue or shelter wouldve been nice.
   
   Overall it was an interesting study of the recent history of this mixed breed.



4. I loved all the photographs and informative tips about goldendoodles that were in this book. We got our new puppy from the author and she did a wonderful job raising our pup for us until we took her home.



5. As the soon to be owner of a goldendoodle pup I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of this book. I couldn't find any other books on these marvelous dogs. I sat down to read a few pages and found myself reading it cover to cover. It is an easy read- packed full of useful information for someone considering a goldendoodle, as well as the new owner and some fun facts as well. I especially love the enthusiasm that comes through by the author. You can tell Kathryn loves these dogs and knows her stuff. The pictures are great too! Now I really can't wait to get my pup!

1 comments about Best Hikes With Dogs: North Carolina (Best Hikes With Dogs).

1. This is a great book for hiking with your dog on trails in the western and eastern parts of North Carolina. This book is a part of a series by Mountaineer books and gives great details about elevation, water, trail difficulty, etc. I would recommend this book to anyone who walks their dog on trials and and in the outdoors. Plus all dogs love the trails anyway. Great pictures of dogs on the trails too!