5 comments about Divine Canine: The Monks' Way to a Happy, Obedient Dog.

1. This book is the best I have ever read on dog behavior. It is very specific and gently leads you to the place where your dog is absolutely comfortable with you as you are with him/her. A must read for any pet owner.



2. This is a beautiful and inspiring book. It is full of photos and case studies of dogs that are entertaining to read. Just like episodes of The Dog Whisperer we witness dogs and their owners as they find a healthy balance of love, commitment and training that make everyone involved happy.



3. I thought I knew how to raise and enjoy dogs but when I read this book and others by the Monks of New Skete, I realized I was missing so much.
   Now I recommmend it to everyone getting a new puppy and older dog owners as well. Dogs are awesome and having them as a part of our life is a special blessing.



4. divine canine is the third of 3 books written by the monks of new skete and should be read first if at all. if you follow the fantastic advise given in their first two books you should have a very well behaved and happy companion. when this is the case reading divine canine can get a little frustrating. all you read is stories of people who have let their dog run the house and thats just not a dogs place. PLEASE READ THE ART OF RAISING A PUPPY AND HOW TO BE YOUR DOGS BEST FRIEND. the art of raising a puppy will also give you great insight on how to choose a puppy.



5. I was having sushi with a good friend and we were discussing pets and the difference between dogs and cats. Being a cat lover from the time I can remember I was not too interested in hearing about dogs, who I perceived as basically big dirty dumb animals. My friend had a different take; she said, "cats are nature's serial killers, but dogs were put here to teach us how to love."
   
   When my husband and I moved to the Caribbean I brought three cats over with me. One night a local stray dog, a "potcake" as we say, came to visit. "Don't feed it!", I yelled, "or it will keep coming back!" Well, he did feed her and she did come back and now we have no cats but are the proud owner of a 65 pound potcake named Smiley (the best dog in the world). Hmmm....
   
   She came housebroken and relatively social, but liked to run off, was overprotective, and did not play well with other dogs. Luckily I found a great dog trainer and groomer, and Smiley entered doggie day care with training and socialization. Our trainer, as it turned out, used the principles taught by The Monks of New Skete. An Eastern Orthodox order based in Cambridge, New York, the monks train dogs as part of their "monastic witness. For example, since we live on land that is steep and rocky, it is totally unsuitable for farming. This reality led us to begin breeding German Shepherd Dogs early on, and boarding and training dogs of all breeds." The Monks also train dogs and their owners to lead happier, more productive lives together.
   
   Their latest book, Divine Canine: The Monks' Way to a Happy, Obedient Dog, is a clear and easy-to-understand guide to training "difficult" dogs using the examples of actual clients. This is a beautiful book with color photos of the dogs, owners, and Brother Christopher. We see the dogs misbehaving and behaving with clear explanations of how they walked the path. The book is grounded in the monks sense that relationships with dogs help deepen our relationships with God. "God speaks to us through our dogs -- indeed through all life -- and woe to us if we're deaf to that voice."
   
   Divine Canine is organized around the five basic obedience commands: Sit, Stay, Heel, Down, and Come. Each dog story focuses on how teaching the dog these basic commands leads ultimately to a calmer, happier dog and therefore calmer, happier humans. So we watch as Tessie the mini bull terrier with obedience issues learns that she is not the "alpha" of the family and must listen, as Hugo the bulldog learns to not jump up, and as Boomer the rottweiler mix learns that aggression will not be tolerated and is not necessary. But what we also learn is what we as humans must give to the dog -human relationship; what our companion dogs should expect from us.
   
   While all of the Monks' dog books are wonderful, I especially enjoyed The Monks' Way to a Happy, Obedient Dog because of the personal stories. We see the good, bad, and the ugly when it comes to the dogs and their owners and learn about ourselves as much as about our pets.

5 comments about When Pigs Fly!: Training Success with Impossible Dogs.

1. We have 2 bull terriers and, anyone who is familiar with this breed can tell you, they are stubborn as hell! This book made all the difference in the world with training. The clicker idea is just what we needed. Thanks for making these fabulous dogs even more lovable to have in our home!



2. It is a very good dog training book. It explains things in a way that is very easily understood and gives you different ideas as to what a reward can be, ie that a dog that likes to sniff a lot you can use this behavior when training, as a reward. It breaks the training down into small pieces that is easy to follow. I have recommended this book to a few of my friends and they are also using it to train.



3. I have a pigs fly dog- and most of my training successes have been because of suggestions in this book! I disagree with a previous review that stated it was "old" material and "agility tricks"- it is a book that provides NEW methods to increase the bond with your dog while training; to help get a more focused dog; and most importantly how to have FUN while training your 'difficult' dog. I can't recommend this book enough to EVERYONE who has a dog they want to build a stronger working relationship with- Pigs fly or not!



4. En af de bedste klikkerbøger, jeg har læst !
   well better in english than danish-I guess: One of the best clicker-instruction books i`ve read so far( which is some). especially because it gives hope to all dogowners with "impossible" dogs. it is well written, funny and with a lot aha-experiencies.



5. This book is aces! The author gives her own approach to training, which is solidly based on contemporary techniques. She goes into much detail about how to clicker-train, but even if you choose not to use a clicker, there is good information here.
   
   Though the book is directed toward the author's preference in dogs--not easy ones!--the methods are also solid for easily-trained dogs. The fact is, few dogs are easily trained without a glitch now and then! She does a really good job of giving insights into how some of the "Impossible Dogs" think, and why they were bred to think that way.
   
   She also gives insights into why more easily trained dogs are more easily trained. She says--and I strongly suspect she is right!--that easily trained dogs are not necessarily more intelligent. You just have to learn what motivates the "Impossible Dogs." And this book will tell you how, very clearly.

5 comments about Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.

1. I have a couple of paperback first aid books for dogs but I wanted something more comprehensive. We live in a rural area so a quick trip to the vet not possible. This does not take the place of seeing a vet when necessary, but the book gives easy to understand answers for many everyday problems and well organized.



2. Very helpful book, easy to use, full of information about different dog diseases and ailments. I highly recommend this book hand in hand with:
   The First Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats (Prevention Pets) These books should be in every dog owners' home.



3. This is a excellant Book for any Dog Owner. Has lots of information that is useful.



4. Very concise and to the point. Great index in the front of the book to help quickly identify and find the dogs ailment. Very detailed and has a lot of incredibly useful information. A must-have for every dog owner.



5. Easy to use, good info, extremely helpful in deciding how quickly to get to the vet.

5 comments about The Dog's Mind: Understanding Your Dog's Behavior (Howell Reference Books).

1. Very well written. Understandable to the lay person who wants to better understand canine behavior and an excellent addition to any Veterinarian's bookshelf. Full of usefull tidbits of information to review all those long past vet school classes. The theories proposed and discussed are enlightening.
   Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior
   I recomend reading Grandin's book they go well hand in hand.



2. I know that some people think they know too much and that this book is useless, and not full of very many insights, but these same people must not realize that this book wasn't published yesterday...it's an older book. Information like this was invaluable because you couldn't just google information on dog behavior. The United States has been reinvented twice since this book has come out and with all this new technology, we also have new insights into dog behavior and psychology that are not covered in this book simply becasuse they were not yet known. What this book DOES do is give timeless truths as to the way canines think...their pack mentality, early learning, later learning... Bruce Fogle covers a lot of ground in a short amount of space leaving you just curious enough to keep exploring more of what you can learn about the dog's mind. With that in mind, understand that while this is a great book, it is incredibly boring at parts. Especially when reading about the brain and physiology of the dog's mind. The introduction is the length of a chapter in itself...and I'm not kidding. My suggestion is to get this book, read it, take notes on it, pick it apart and google each of the topics such as the dog's brain, hormones on the dog's mind, fear, phobias, etc. and learn what Fogle has to say and what has been discovered since the publishing of this book 16 years ago. If you're an animal behaviorist like me, this book isn't a suggestion, it's required reading. Enjoy reading and learnig about the dog's mind!



3. I really enjoyed this book and found it more informative than most books on how a dog's mind works and how it can help us humans understand why they do the things they do. The first couple of chapters seemed almost text book but it was still very intresting to read.



4. Covers the dogs' evolution, senses, reproductive hormones, and social behavior. Discusses breed differences. Discusses neoteny. Worth reading, but wish Fogle would update it.



5. This is without a doubt the best book I have ever read on dog behavior.
   
   Written by a veterinarian, the first part of the book is actually a preface to the explanation of dog behavior - the preface is an anatomical discussion of dogs and the dog's brain, along with evolutionary explanations, all of which qualifies the remainder of the book.
   
   And the remainder of the book is amazing. Every little thing that you can ever think about dogs doing is described in this book, along with an explanation as to why they do it, and how to modify it if you wish.
   
   After reading this book you will be able to better communicate with your dog, help them through problems, deal with problems, and even just work with dogs you meet on the street.
   
   I couldn't possibly recommend this book more. I loved it!!

5 comments about Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod.

1. I've had this book lying around for a while (re-gifted to me by a friend) and honestly never expected to read it. It being summer, though, I thought a book about racing sled dogs in Alaska would be an interesting idea. I honestly don't really like dogs and have never really read anything by Gary Paulsen, so my expectations were not high, to say the least. I loved this book, however, and found myself laughing out loud during several parts -- pretty much whenever he gets dragged behind the sled as the dogs go racing away out of control (which seems to happen pretty frequently). The book is not all humor, however, and has some rather unhappy parts as well.
   
   My only criticism would be that the book is much too short. I would have enjoyed reading it if it were twice as long.



2. I read this book a few years ago, and it practically had me rolling on the floor laughing at times. Finally got it for myself to own, and it's still every bit as good. Gary Paulsen has a wonderful way with words, and is an excellent storyteller. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone.



3. One of the most entertaining books I have ever read. After reading one of the other reviews where the criticism was the authors lack of writing skills, for-gedda-bout-it. This book wasn't meant for your English Lit class. It's about one crazy dude's journey. It's funny, it's gritty, it's real, and if you're a dog lover, it's both happy and sad. I give it 10 thumbs up (ok, so I'm "all thumbs").



4. Very disappointing book. Boring, lots of padding. Poor and repetative story line. Not well written. Couldn't even read it to the end which I'm sad about as I love books and don't give up easily.



5. This book is outstanding.
   
   Some of it is written in the manner of a tall tale, so I had moments when I doubted the narrator's credibility. But then I thought about it. Who cares! It's funny, heartbreaking, and uplifting. "Fine madness" is the point, after all.
   
   Some people may think this is a stretch, but I see this book as a healthy mixture of Hemingway's prose, Faulkner's yarns, and an enthusiasm for animals
   
   This book is going to stay with me for a long time, and for that reason, I recommend it to a broad range of readers.
   
   You will enjoy this book.

No comments about 365 Dogs Page-A-Day Calendar 2009 (Colour Page a Day Calendars).

5 comments about Clicking With Your Dog: Step-By-Step in Pictures (Karen Pryor Clicker Books).

1. This is a very clear illustration and explanation of working with your dog using the clicker method. I like it.



2. This is the sister of cookie training. Why use a clicker when you can use your voice? You are not mute for crying out loud. You can mark a command, a behavior, or even a trick much better with your voice. Besides, this method is for dog owners with three arms. One, to hold those treats, two to click around, and three to hold on to that leash.
   
   If you truly believe that dogs like to please us, then why rely on a clicker or even a treat? Think about it. Your dog should sit because you said so and not because of a bacon strip. How I know this??? Because I actually train dogs for a living and am one the top in my field. These guys tell you to give your dog treats just for being alive. You will end up with a fat dog that drools and licks it's mouth every time you ask it to sit or lay down. It doesn't take much skill or talent to bribe a dog with treats and then call it dog training.



3. The illustrations and the short, exact written instructions make it a wonderful handbook both for novices and experienced people who want to clicker train pets.



4. This woman really knows dogs. Her training methods really work. This book definitely changed the way I relate to my dogs, and it made training so much easier.



5. I have read a couple of clicker training books and have also gotten advice from a clicker-savvy friend, but read this to see if it had anything more to offer me. For those who don't know, clicker training uses a marker (the clicker) to mark the exact moment your dog is doing something you want her to. It's very powerful because it sends a kind of snapshot straight to your dog of what you want. You then, of course, give some kind of reward after clicking.
   
   I liked that this book had lots of pictures and presented the information in different ways, for people with different styles of learning. Also, the author shows that there is more than one way to teach a behavior, even within the clicker training philosophy. To me, this is where many dog training books fall short. They present one way of approaching a new task, but there are many types of dogs and many types of trainers! To be shown that shaping, luring, and just waiting for behaviors are all possible ways to succeed is very encouraging. Of course, each task must still be broken down into baby steps, and each training session must be positive.
   
   My one and only complaint is that Ms Tillman suggests raisins and grapes in her list of possible treats to use for your dog. There is anecdotal evidence that raisins and grapes can cause kidney failure in dogs. It's not necessarily proven, but why take a chance? Read this book, but skip the fruit of the vine! And have fun!

5 comments about Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds.

1. My son is 9 and he loves this book! He has learned a lot about the different breeds of dogs. He brings it with him everywhere. People are impressed at how much he knows about the different breeds of dogs.



2. This is a fantastic resource book on different breeds of dog. The descriptions are thorough, easy to read and are accompanied by color photos. Dogs are rated on energy level, exercise requirements, playfulness, affection level, friendliness towards dogs/other pets/strangers, ease of training, watchdog ability, protection ability, grooming requirements and tolerance toward cold and heat. I was able to really determine the best dog for my family using measures I hadn't even thought of! This book is the one for you if you are trying to decide the best purebred dog for your family and lifestyle. Check out "Hot Dogs" for excellent info on some of the newer mixed breeds.



3. As librarian in a Pre-K through 8th grade school library, I am occasionally asked by students to buy certain kinds of books. The number one request this year was a dog breed book, not a book about dogs, but specifically dog breeds. I looked at all the books available on Amazon and discovered that "Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds" best met our needs. From the time the book was processed and checked out to the boy who requested it, the waiting list remained steady. Once checked out, the book was relinquished only because of threats by the Library Dragon.
   
   All of the preceding paragraph is background to say how valuable this book is and how much students love it. If you or your family are ready to obtain a dog, this book certainly will provide you with information in making good choices.
   
   The first chapter begins with the Dog Family and moves to the Family Dog, asks how good the breed is with children , and how to use the Breed Profiles. Then most of the book is taken by the specifics of the various breeds of dogs. Divided into classes, dogs belong to the sporting group, hounds, working dogs, terriers, toys, non-sporting group, and herders.
   
   When a book contains over 150 breeds of dogs, the viewer will see almost infinite varieties of some breeds. For example, American Staffordshire Terrier and the Bull Terrier resemble each other. Do you know the Glen of Imaal Terrier? Or the Kerry Blue Terrier or Irish Terrier, Lakeland Terrier? The Manchester Terrier looks like a small Doberman Pinscher. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is one of those with long hair covering his eyes. He's from Ireland.
   
   The Working Group are "those dogs that put their bravery or brawn into the service of humans." They can be guard dogs, protectors, sled dogs, cart dogs, and rescue dogs. They are known for their intelligence and hardiness (105). Each breed gets a two-page spread.
   
   Here's the Komondor, the large dog that has cord-like tassels for fur. The breed originated in Hungary, where it is still plentiful. It was used as a sheep herder and is being bred for that use in the United States now. However, because of its cords, it must live in a cool climate. Its positive qualities are affection, friendliness, good watchdog, and a great protector. Its negative qualities are its unfriendliness toward other dogs and strangers, and low heat tolerance.
   
   Each two-page spread contains sub-articles on history of the breed, temperament, upkeep, health, form and function, At a Glance chart, an illustration showing the standards of the breed, plus a posed, competition-like photograph and a close-up showing the nature of the dog.
   
   The last section of the book contains a glossary of medical conditions, illustrations of dog anatomy, and an index.
   
   This is a book to sit down with and spend an hour at a time, just browsing the interesting articles, looking at photographs, and picking up useful information for now or later concerning dog breeds. "Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds" is simply a great book to have!
   
   Note: Oh my, the powers that be allow this many no-votes for an encyclopedia of dog breeds? What next? Cyber stalking?



4. I found this to be very helpful as my family was searching for a new puppy. We were able to see and learn about breeds we had never even heard of.



5. IS THE BEST COMPLEMENT FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME, THAT NEED TO REMEMBER SEEING COLOR. IF YOU HAVE THE AKC BOOK AND NEED TO STUDY, THIS ONE IS A MUST TO ADD IN YOUR LIBRARY.

5 comments about Feisty Fido: Help for the Leash-Aggressive Dog.

1. Fantastic resource but I wouldn't have put an English Bulldog on the cover. They are the least aggressive dog I know.



2. The book is brief and as it clearly states it only will help a dog that has fear-based aggression while on leash. You'll want to have consulted a professional dog trainer/behaviorist to make sure this is the issue you have. We did, and we were taught to counter-condition our leash aggressive beagle using these techniques. After 3 months of work he's greatly improved. After another 6, the conditioning has become even stronger. Neighbors (we live in a condo) have commented that they've noticed that our beagle is much quieter (as opposed to the daily outbursts we'd have as our beagle would flip out at the sight of another dog!) At this price point, McConnell's booklet is no-brainer. Check out her others as well.



3. This book is well written document to help individuals gain direction on dealing with dog aggression. I would recommend it as a background for any dog owner dealing with this issue. It is NOT a replacement for seeking qualified help from a professional behaviorist, which the author is. I have read most of her publications and find them useful tools in learning to manage my dogs.



4. I like the very friendly work with dogs, and Patricia
   always looks that the dogs feel great in what he is doing!
   
   And besides the happy dog learns faster!
   
   very good book!



5. I have a rescued dog that is nuts-aggressive on a leash. I have read sooooo many dog training/behavior books, and this one is one of the best. Why? 1) It gets right to the point. 2) There are only 3 main techniques to remember and practice (plus a few "panic button" tactics). 3) It's fewer than 60 pages.
   
   This book is easy to understand and doesn't muddy the issues with a lot of extra stuff. The techniques are non-violent but work. I've been through several dog trainers that told me that I wasn't correcting my dog hard enough so he wasn't getting the message. Things were only getting worse. The corrections were only making him more agitated, so that he began aggressing earlier and earlier when he saw another dog.
   
   This book helps you train your dog to have a different reaction to whatever sets him off so that his habit is to look at you when another dog (or person) comes around, instead of freaking out.
   
   McConnell anticipates that things always don't go as planned; one heading is titled, "Oops! My Dog Looked Away Before I Said Okay." She also gives suggestions for troubleshooting.
   
   I highly recommend this booklet!

5 comments about The Everything Dog Training and Tricks Book.

1. This book is wonderful! It has become my new best dog training book and I love it. The tricks are easy to understand and the book is well organized. And the best thing is that it works! Follow the directions and your dog too will be amazing to you, your family, and your friends.



2. I bought this book and the one for dummies. I love the format of this book, it has step by step instructions. They encourage you to introduce one trick at a time. My little pup - he is 5 months old knows so many tricks! He waves bye bye, gives high five, sits, lays, spins and is now hopping. The only trick he has had any trouble with is roll over. I can't wait to master the entire book!!!
   
   The best dog training book I have ever owned!!!



3. I was disappointed with the content of this book. I expected a step by step how to book based on the title. I subsequently ordered a book by Cesar Milan - dog whisperer, but still no how to tips.



4. This book was just ok. very boring. Uses clicker training throughout the entire book. Does not give any alternative methods. Not the best book.



5. What a fun book! It is what it says "the everything dog training and tricks book"--I wish they'd make a DVD showing how to do it also.
   
   Although, the way the tricks are broken down into steps make them very easy to do, so good book--doggies, it's play time!