5 comments about Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds.

1. 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.



2. 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?



3. 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.



4. 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. We bought this book to help us decide which breed would be best suited to us, and it was very helpful in that regard. It provides a two-page spread on each dog, discussing history, temperament, exercise requirements, health concerns, two photos, and a diagram pointing out aspects of breed physique (conformation). Finally, there is a chart that awards points from 1 to 5 according to how much a dog demonstrates, or lacks, a particular quality. The structure of the book is thus very sound.
   
   However, I do have criticisms of the book. First, the ratings chart, awarding points for sociability, cold tolerance, trainability, and so on, does not always seem to match the written description of temperament or exercise requirements. This sense of disjunction is reinforced for me by my own knowledge (gained since choosing a Boxer last year) of specific breeds, since I often find myself agreeing with the written statement but quibbling with the number rating: I just don't think, based on my experience and other reading, that those numbers are especially reliable. To name one instance that I'm very familiar with, I think that Boxers are actually friendlier to strangers and other dogs than the number rating would suggest: it gives a 3 rating, where I would make it a 4 (and I live in a neighbourhood bursting at the seams with dogs, including several Boxers).
   
   Similarly, the Boxer rating for 'watchdog ability' is a 3, but I wonder why: my dog knows when a delivery has been put by the door, or when anyone approaches, or even when the local cats are across the street. If there is a degree of watchfulness greater than this, such that a 3 is merely average and 5 is extreme, how so? Being more of a barker doesn't seem to me sufficient to up a dog's score, and this could all be misleading to someone trying to make decisions on the basis of the ratings. Most people that want a watchful dog would be well pleased with a Boxer, but the rating suggests instead that they are just OK in that department. But again, whether you agree with the specific ratings or not, they themselves don't seem to agree completely with the text.
   
   Another flaw is that, while each breed has two photos to represent it, some breeds are represented by only one individual. Going back to the Boxer again as my example, only a fawn Boxer is shown--apparently the same dog. It would have been more helpful to have a second photo of a brindle coat (dark streaks) and/or different white markings (flashing). Further, many dog owners these days prefer Boxers and other dogs with uncropped ears, but only cropped ears are shown, even in the diagram. That is just a refusal to show the dog as most non-show people see it! The problem is not just with Boxers; several other breeds I think are not represented with sufficient variety of photographs.
   
   In sum, this is a good book but it is far from being the best, and leaves much scope for competitors in a popular subject.

5 comments about Whole Pet Diet: Eight Weeks to Great Health for Dogs And Cats.

1. This book was WONDERFUL! Wow, I had no idea how to feed my dogs...now I feel so educated. Both of my dogs had horrible allergies and now they are completely GONE!! It is amazing. I highly recommend this book :)



2. The book was good. I used the chicken stew to get my dog bag on track when she was sick. A couple of things to be aware of are that there are different schools of thought regarding garlic for dogs. Also if you decide to use supplements be very careful about the measurements. Just like humans some animals may not tollerate them well.



3. This book is an excellent introduction into home cooked food for your pet. It provides a basic education, some recipes to start with, and a wonderful perspective.
   
   Could you feed your dog forever with onyl this book? Yes. Is it likely to be the only book on canine nutrition you ever want to read? No, not if you're like me and want to balance your sources of information.
   
   Get this book, get started. Track your progress with the journal and see what happens at the end of 8 weeks. If your dog is responding well, keep going! Keep reading, try new recipes from other trusted sources like Pitcairn and Strombeck.
   
   Canine nutrition shouldn't be rocket science. Nor should it be a secret collection of data available only to the folks who make commercial dog food.



4. I bought this book after a recommendation by a pet psychic (yes, I'm one of THOSE people :)) and boy, did it make a difference!
   
   After realising what most of the pet food on the market is really made of, I've been wanting to cook my dogs' food, but was afraid of not giving them enough nutrients.
   This book makes it easy - within 8 weeks, in a simple step-by-step program, you will become an expert petfood cook and learn all about the necessary nutrients, supplements, and health benefits.
   
   I bought this book primarily for my 10-year old rescue dog, who was having problems with her ears and coat, due to allergies, and "popping" joints.
   After week 6 on this program, I noticed that her ears were no longer flaky and inflamed, fur had started to grow on a bald spot, dandruff had cleared up and no more sounds were coming from the joints.
   Also, there's a new spring in her step and she's just overall more active and downright frisky.
   
   It takes some effort and buying supplements to make this healthy food, but it pays off in the long run - I've saved on vet bills and my dog is much happier and healthier.



5. This book could have saved my dog. I sought out this book when my maltipoo's appetite was dim. She would barely eat anything and on top of that she was itchy and had grown a small benign tumor on her head. I knew that something was not right with her and so I looked closely at her diet. She has been on the stew, vitamin supplement and dream coat supplement for about 8 months and she is doing great! No more tumor, no itchy skin and no problems. Not to mention she would give her left paw for a lick of stew. Hippocrates said to let food be your medicine. Well thanks to Andi Brown, my dog is cured and healthy!

5 comments about Click to Calm: Healing the Aggressive Dog (Karen Pryor Clicker Book).

1. This book is a must for anyone who's using clicker training to help calm an aggressive or fearful dog. I don't think it will replace a training class, but it's an excellent reference.



2. I loved the book it is definately helpful in my training. My dog has come a long way, but still requires work, but we do use the clicker method.



3. I found that these techniques did not correct my dog's aggression to other dogs. It felt like I was distracting him more by focusing on me and giving positive reinforcement. However when my dog saw another dog it was VERY difficult to distract him even with treats. I have sought out another positive reinforcement training technique with a trainer in my area. I have already seen my dog's behavior decrease with a quick correction and praise when he follows the correction with the appropriate behavior. Maybe this technique will work with other dogs but it did not work with my chocolate Labrador.



4. I purchased this book along with two other publications I expected to be books as well, but these turned out to be little pamplets that are the size usually found in a Veternarian's office to read while you wait and many times are free if you want them. The shipping charges were ridiculous for the amount of merchandise shipped.
   
   The book itself gave the impression of being a guide to the clicker control dog training course. This book merely speaks of using the method gives no information on how to use it or where to acquire the clicker itself or what ever equipment is needed. The other two so-called books measure 8 1/2" X 5 1/2" one has 29 pages the other 14 pages, so you can imagine how much information you will get out of them. I am terribly disappointed in my purchases and will know better than to buy books online. It's worth a trip to a book store to avoid such a rip off.



5. The book is written by Emma Parsons. She is very knowledgeable about clicker dog training. There are no pictures in this book.

5 comments about Dog Years: A Memoir (P.S.).

1. I was really looking forward to Doty's so-called memoir, Dog Years, but it just didn't deliver. While there are some fine and moving passages here and there about loss and loving an animal, this book doesn't really qualify as a true "memoir," and it's not much of a "dog book" either. If you want to read a good dog book/memoir, try Hal Borland's classic, The Dog Who Came to Stay. It's great. Doty's effort simply strays too far afield from either genre to suit my apparently plebian tastes. There are sections here, littered with quotes from Emily Dickinson and Doty's ruminations on same, or references to Cezanne or Heraclitus, which could have been lifted from his Freshman poetry lectures, which is not what I expected - or wanted. Maybe there is so little about Doty because he's already written two memoirs. Well, okay; but don't call this a memoir, because it's not. I'm tempted to read his first memoir; maybe that would be a real one, but this book is sub-titled under false pretenses. The narrative meanders here and there and sometimes I wondered where the hell he was going with it. It was a struggle just to finish it. Sorry, Mark. Write a memoir or write poetry, but don't try to do both at once. - Tim Bazzett, author of Pinhead: A Love Story



2. Mark Doty has penned an absolute gem of a memoir that touches not only on our umbreakable bonds with our animals, but also with our mates and the many places that we will call "home" throughout our lives - and the grief that we all must embrace and learn from in the loss of all of these. His story of Wally, Arden and Beau is a masterpiece of the heartfelt thoughts and feelings that all dog owners will experience if they are lucky enough to be loved unconditionally by one, or more, beloved human beings and furry angels.
   In Chapter 15, after the recent death of his mate, Wally, and one of his dogs, Beau, Doty tells us of an abandoned dog that he befriends on Calle Canal in San Miquel de Allende, a hill town north of Mexico City.
   He tries to rescue her and is heartbroken to have to leave her behind, writing, "I am grateful to have felt even this sharp sadness. The dog on Calle Canal awakens me; she shows me that I have come through something now. I write to bless her delicate head, the paw raised in hope. How should we know ourselves, except in the clarifying mirror of some other gaze?"
   I finished the book in one day. And if you aren't into full throttle tears by Chapter 16 & 17 (the final chapters), then you have never known the joy and anticipation of there being "someone at home, waiting to go for a walk."



3. The poet shares the relationship he had between his dogs and himself in "Dog Years: A Memoir". Mark Doty (born 1953 in Maryville, Tennessee) is the only American poet to have received the T.S. Eliot Prize in the U.K. He received his Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Goddard College in Vermont. Doty, who is gay, has written about his struggle with coming to terms with his sexual identity, and with the impact on AIDS on the gay community. In 1989, his partner Wally Roberts tested positive for HIV, which drastically changed his writing. Wally died in 1994. Doty is currently the John and Rebecca Moores Professor in the graduate program at the University of Houston.
   Mark Doty relates his experiences of his time with his two dogs, Arden the black retriever, and Beau the gold one. Mark also shares the passing of his long time partner Wally who was diagnosed and died of AIDS. Arden kept Mark alive, uplifted his soul and gave him will to live by its comforting gestures and by giving joy in his little ways. Arden and Beau became his true friends, became part of the household, and played a big part in Mark Doty's life. The dogs were his companions during his lowest moments, shared his grievances, and happiness as well.
   
   Mark starts a happy new life with his dogs and Paul, also a writer. But a time came when his dogs starts to decline because of illness. Beau developed a kidney disease, while Arden is having a high fever and showing unusual signs. Along with this is the devastating 9/11 where Mark continues to differentiate despair and depression. According to Mark: "Depression is always the consequence of despair, a despair one cannot feel one's way through in order to emerge from the other side, a despair will not be moved".
   
   The dogs' everyday struggle reminds Mark of how hard Wally's gradual passing was. In Mark's recollection of the years he spent with the dogs, Arden and Beau gave him unconditional love and companionship throughout their lives.
   Dog Years is one beautiful way of giving tribute to all dogs in the world, who are loyal and ready to accompany their masters until their dying day. The book depicts an unforgettable experience between a man and a pet. At first, I got confused between his dogs and his boyfriend, because he describes his dogs like human beings. I love the poems he puts after every chapter, it makes the book more interesting although I don't really understand some of them. I'll admit some of the chapters in the book were boring and depressing, but I was moved when his dogs became really ill and helpless. They really are like humans. I have a Shih-Tzu named Bruno, and I can't imagine losing him too when the time comes.
   
   On a scale of 1-10, I would give it an eight. The book failed to get my attention in the first few chapters, but the book helped me a lot in understanding my dog's feelings, and the last chapter was very moving that I almost cry. I would definitely read another book by Mark Doty, I'm planning to get the Firebird when I'm not busy. I'm recommending this book not only to dog lovers or owners, but also to anyone who has experienced attachment and loss.



4. This book moved me to write a review here, my first. I can hardly express how touching this book was for me. Sad in nature but told with such exquisite elegance it took me months to finish because though I enjoyed it throughly, reading it was an intense emotional experience, not unlike grieving. There are single lines and sections in this book that when thinking of them later, tears snap to my eyes. I am a true dog lover who can relate to the deep devotion and attachment to our dogs as expressed in this book. Mark has used language beautifully to tell his story.



5. (I read this book and was touched by it enough to write an email to my Dog Loving Friends) Here is what I wrote:
   
   Dear Dog Loving Friends,
   
   Over the past few days I read a book that I checked out of the library called Dog Years written by Mark Doty.
   
   The book moved me so much that I intend to buy a copy for me to keep as my own. (And I never ever buy books to own.)
   
   I recommend it to you (if you will endure the more poetic parts of it and seemingly random diversionary discussions), and I recommend it to Connie's hairdresser given that he owns 14 dogs. Susanne, if you can pass this on to Connie or make mention, I would be grateful.
   
   The book is told in the first person. It is a memoir of sorts - reminds me of a scrapbook in a way - with lots of "photos" (the photos being stories) of dogs, but other "momentoes" stuck in the book such as random musings on poetry and sidebar discussions on such non-dog related topics as Judy Garland, the difference between dispair and depression....and boy does he nail it when he decribes depression. I am not quoting directly but something like: "Depression moves in heavily and sits in the sink as the dirty dishes from yesterday" ....
   
   As strange as all the pieces were, it comes together quite lovely. Like a meal or a recipe in which I would have NEVER thought to combine all those ingredients, but it worked beautifully.
   
   This book all made sense to me (except for some of the poetry..ok, ok, so I admidt I am missing the Emily Dickenson gene along with the cooking gene, but I will go back and carefully re-read some of the poetry.) I especially liked the poem on the wind. See that is the great thing about this book. I just finished it and already I am eager to read it again.
   
   The book starts slowly and gets much better after a few chapters. I was momentarily confused between a dog named Wally and a man named Wally, and I was mildly irritated that the author used the word "fierce" or a very similar word 3 times on the same page. jeeze, picky, picky.
   
   But then on the other hand, I rather LIKED this "flaw" because I felt like he was not a honed pretentious writer following all those rules we learn in English and writing classes, but instead he was really writing from the heart. And I myself, of course, cannot even write one smidgen as well as Doty.
   
   Doty, an artistic insightful angst ridden gay man, recollects his past and how important his dogs were to him. He brilliantly perceptively and precisely captures what I think we see and love in our dogs. I was constantly saying "YES, YES, YES!" outloud to myself while reading. I wept copiously at the end.
   
   The manner in which he desribes his dogs "resonates" with me (I hate to use that overused word, but it really fits here).
   
   Because Doty is a poet, he sees his dogs through poetic artistic eyes.
   
   The book will make you laugh and cry. I hope you take time to read it. See the reader reviews in the link below. (and I copied in the link to Amazon for my friends to click to).
   
   - later -

5 comments about Puppies For Dummies (For Dummies (Pets)).

1. This book has good solid information and I have recommended it to many of my friends with new dogs. It was a fantastic resource for me regarding my first dog.



2. This book is great for people like me who have never owned a dog! There are a few chapters in the beginning that i didn't find helpful, however. I had already chosen my puppy before i bought the book, but if your are searching for the right puppy and have any questions, then these chapters would be perfect for you! I still use this book to reference back to, my puppy is only twelve weeks old, so there's still a long way to go!



3. This book should be given with every new puppy - even before the puppy goes home with you. Covers all major aspects of puppy raising and training. I cannot recommend this book enough.



4. The book offers some schedules for walking your puppy, but lacks the "before" part - how much he should eat and how soon he might need to go, for example. I agree with reviewers who say the book is superficial. If you've had dogs before at all, this book is probably adequate. If you're like me, and the only other pets you've raised successfully have been hamsters, this book is NOT enough. In less than a week, I had to buy more books that cover the same topics in more depth.



5. Before getting my puppy in 2002, I read several books on puppies, dogs, and training. My favorite was Puppies for Dummies, the 2000 edition. I can only imagine that the 2006 edition is even better.
   
   Early sections help the reader decide what breed is best for his lifestyle and how to be ready for puppy's first day home. Especially important was the timeline--what training the puppy needs at what age--in order to grow to her best potential. The organization is excellent with easy-to-locate topics: a detailed Table of Contents and a complete Index.
   Throughout the book, Hodgson stresses positive training and reinforcement, offering many important and helpful tips on how to be the most effective teacher you can be.
   
   I tried the "teaching-lead" Hodgson describes, keeping my puppy attached to me by a lead at all times at home. This method is a super way to bond with your dog. Now, as a result, I have a most responsive and well-trained pet, a charmer.
   
   I've recommended this book to friends, every one of whom thought it was an excellent resource. However, I do want to point out that no book on puppy training is useful if one does not use the techniques described....
   
   If you really want to learn how to train your puppy in the most constructive way, get this book!

5 comments about Barking: The Sound of a Language (Dogwise Training Manual).

1. I am a dog owner with a strong interest in dog training and animal behavior and have read many excellent books on those subjects - but I find Turid Rugaas to have a very unique voice. The author believes that dogs are dogs and in our arrogance as humans we have lost sight of that fact; we humans try to train away every natural instinct a dog has and have no tolerance for 'failure' or 'disobediance'. In this book, instead of attacking barking as a training problem to be solved she reminds us that barking is a natural form of communication for dogs and provides tips for how we can listen to what they are trying to tell us. There are, of course, suggestions and methods provided for how to curb excessive or problem barking (and how to determine what problem/excessive barking really is), but essentially her message is, "less shouting, more tolerance and listen!". Another great thing about her books is that they are simple, clear and concise. The average dog owner can read through them quickly and start using the techniques right away.



2. As with other of Turid Rugaas's books, this might seem like too a short book to be of much value. Once you carefully read the book, and start watching your dog, you will begin to appreciate Ms. Rugaas's deep wisdom and understand of all things canine.
   
   After having no success with bark collars, penny cans, and spray bottles - all the standard trainer suggestions - I started using these suggestions. I admit my dog has not stopped barking entirely, I don't want him to, but he is barking much less. Plus I understand now why he is barking and how to change perceptions and break the cycle.



3. As usual Turid writes a great, informative, easy to read book with lots of pertainent information.



4. With every book she releases, my admiration for Turid Rugaas grows. Turid is a role model for others in the dog world to follow - her compassion for dogs and reminder to try to understand their perspective, rather than always imposing our needs, is so important. (For example, imposing our need for quiet by using shock collars rather than understanding that the dog is upset/frustrated/loney.)
   
   In "Barking," Rugaas focuses on an age-old topic. Yet, she does so in such a straight-forward, enlightened and enlighting way that even people who have read a myriad of behavior books can benefit. Her emphasis is on the mental state of the dog, and on how to view and address the underlying source of the barking. Sure, others have taken this approach, but Rugaas's presentation is so simple and plain spoken that I recommend her book above all others on the subject - and to *anyone* who wants insight into this form of canine communication, not just to those who have a barking "problem."



5. I also read a great many dog books, and this is one of the best. Rugaas' descriptions are deceptively simple, and might appear to be nothing new. However, they portray barking as a language we simply don't speak, rather than as a problem to be solved.
   
   Rugaas does provide solutions as well as descriptions and common causes for each type of barking.
   
   This book is well worth the read, and for those of us who are dog trainers by profession or avocation, worth several reads over time. At the price, well worth it, and far better than many books at triple the price.

5 comments about Real Food for Dogs: 50 Vet-Approved Recipes to Please the Canine Gastronome.

1. I'm not sure that these recipes are really meant for as a complete diet rather than just as treats, but they were written with the help of Dr. Lowell Ackerman (a vet who has written a canine nutrition book) and Rebecca Remillard DVM, Ph.D (a board-certified veterinary nutritionist at Angell Animal Medical Center).



2. I was very excited to get a cook book that I could start making my own fresh dog food. But in speaking with my vet, I now understood what type of research goes into Dog Cookbooks. It was actually scary that really not much research has been done. In fact we may cook dog food, but it is not balanced. These books do not show that dogs need bone meal, or vitamins. The Dog food cooks books are more for human enjoyment than actual nutrition for our canine loves.



3. Ok, a few of these recipes are good and very healthy for dogs.
   But others contain ingredients that will certainly make your dogs sick. Another reviewer already pointed out that some recipes contain rice. While rice isn't something dogs would eat in the wild, most commercial dog foods contain rice and it's not harmful.
   However, dogs are lactose-intolerant once they are adults, so any recipe calling for cheese is a no-no.
   Also, some recipes call for onions or garlic. Alliums are poisonous to dogs. Do not put onions or garlic or anything that is related to onions or garlic into a dog's bowl. The effect might not be immediate, but alliums will damage their red blood cells and make your pets anemic.



4. My dog has ulcerative colitis and even with the most expensive commercial dog foods, she was having trouble. I bought several cook books for dogs and most had a lot of info that I didn't want to buy, I just needed some good recipes. I found a couple in this book that work great. She loves the food and it's obvious she feels better since I began cooking for her. Yeah, it's more expensive than buying canned, but the lesser cost for vet bills override any extra expense.



5. I love this book too! Four months before the commercial dog food scare last year, I had begun to make my two boys' food at home. I read the ingredients in a popular bag of dry and canned dog food and was disgusted with all of the chemical/additives that they contained. I went online to find safe recipes for homemade dog food, making sure that my dogs received the correct portions and nutrients. I decided I needed some cook books for my boys, so I bought two from Amazon. This one has vegetarian style and meat filled recipes. It also has recipes for treats and special meals. 90% of the recipes are grocery items that you already have at home, "real food" as the title suggests. One of the best parts in the book are the nuggets of helpful hints about care, dangerous foods, and nutritional info etc. found scattered throughout. My boys can't wait for me to try these new recipes on them.

5 comments about Good Dog. Stay..

1. I liked this short book, but felt that more details would have been nice. My favorite dog book is Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog.That book went into such detail and it did not leave you hanging and wanting more.



2. To even call this a book is an unimaginable stretch.
   I love dogs and thoroughly enjoy reading almost any book having to do with them and their exploits.
   This "Book??" is 83 tiny pages composed of 53 pages of photos of various dogs...cute... and 30 miniature pages of Fluff. And all this from a supposed #1 selling New York Times Bestselling Author!!!!!..And all for ONLY $14.95!!!!
   When was the last time you paid $.50 per page for this kind of exploitation?
   Anna Quindlen ought to be ashamed of herself



3. It's true - I must admit: I just don't like books about animals. Until I read this one! This is a sweet, short honest book about the love of a dog. It's not necessarily about sweet Beau (though really it is), but about how Beau completes a family. And very nice touches about how it completes a woman! A wonderful read that can be read in one sitting - on the sofa with your own Beau sitting beside you. Enjoy.



4. Short and oh so sweet!
   
   Yes this is more of an essay than a full blown novel, but the writing is worth every dime. There are so many phrases in the book that I read and re-read. Spend the money and keep this book for revisiting over and over.



5. This is a 45 minute short story about Anna's dog, Beau. I am not a fan of animal stories as they usually either end up getting hurt or dying. The same is true in this one. It is the life story of Beau and as all life stories, the end is death. That brings tears to me which is why I don't like these types of stories.
   
   I believe Anna wrote this as a way to heal from her lost of Beau more than trying to tell a readable story. This is not to say the story doesn't make sense. It does. I just hear in Anna's own words how much she and her family cared for Beau and how much his loss meant to them.
   
   As with all stories, there are the good times and the "bad dog" times, laughs and tears and general day-to-day life. If you want to hear about a good dog's life, this CD will provide that.

5 comments about The Dangerous Book for Dogs: A Parody by Rex and Sparky.

1. This book is an endless source of levity and promotes enough loud laughter to scare your dog out of the room! It's so great I've already gotten 3 other folks hooked on it.
   
   My husband and I were reading one of these stories aloud the other day - the one about "How to Make Your Owner Look Like an Idiot" while Scottie slept at our feet. Or so we thought he was sleeping. The next day on his walk, Scottie executed the instructions from the book to a 'T', thus turning both of us into - well, startled and laughing - but idiots nonetheless! Read page 119 for the full story, but read it silently. They listen to this book and you might be the next victim!!!
   
   Priceless. Don't think twice -- I recommend to buy it now!



2. This dog is great for the canine looking to break free of the urban lifestyle and reconnect with his or her roots. Few dogs know of the rich oral traditions and ancient culture of mans best friend. Get this book if you need reassurance that you are a good dog and those feelings you have about the cat are completely natural.



3. The first dangerous thing about this book is that it WILL make you laugh out loud, which will cause other "humans" to think you might indeed be crazy. But what difference does that really make? Your dog already knows you're crazy. Probably the most dangerous thing about this book is that it's true. Any dog owner will adore this read as they see hints of themselves in the vivid descriptions within its pages. But don't say you haven't been warned. After reading this book you may find yourself watching your best friend just a little bit closer.



4. We love it, can't find enough copies to send to everyone in the family! I'd heard of the books for girls and boys, but this one is too funny. We have 11 month old pups, and believe me, they've already read it. I especially love the question and answer chapter, "who's a good boy"? Yes, if you want to understand your best friend, check out this quick read. No kids required, just the love of a good canine.



5. I gave this to my son for Christmas, who is an animal lover, and he really enojyed it very much.

5 comments about The Loved Dog: The Playful, Nonaggressive Way to Teach Your Dog Good Behavior.

1. "The Loved Dog" doesn't teach or instruct the reader on anything more than common sense would dictate in dealing with dogs. Geller uses a much kinder method than other trainers, but the book is lacking in depth and detail. Too much time is spent on her past without really connecting the reader on anything more than a basic level. Once the training starts in the book, the author seems to speed through it without taking enough time to get fully into the hows and whys. More time is spent in commenting on all the famous folks that Geller knows and has worked with in the past. The book is definitely a good start to someone new to dog training, but wouldn't be the only book needed.



2. On page 82 where Geller discusses learning your dog's favorite treats, she mentions that one of her client dog's favorites is chocolate. Chocolate is toxic to dogs. Geller warns against other foods that are toxic to dogs--onions, grapes and raisins--but she makes no such warning about chocolate. This is a pretty serious oversight, especially for new dog owners who may be reading this book because of the Humane Society CEO's good review of it. I might have given this book 3 stars otherwise, but I'm giving it one star just to call attention to this hazard.



3. It was a pleasure finally to find someone with whose gentle, sensible, methods, view point, and philosophy I agree, especially after some rather harsh tactics I have observed by other trainers. You can tell Tamar truly loves her dogs as much as most owners love their dogs. I am glad I happened to become familiar with her book. All dogs deserve to be the loved dog.



4. I enjoyed this book, since I'm at the beginning of learning about dog training, in advance of getting a dog. But dear god, that woman likes to name drop! Did I mention Oprah's dogs? What about Olivia Newton-John? And my favorite, her best friend in the world is married to some moderately successful somebody, and she barely mentions her best friend to describe what her best friend's husband does... and then she gets to their dogs. Yikes.
   
   That being said, she has a nice message, I like the nonviolent approach, and the fact that she does incorporate some pack behaviorism (alpha dog without the alpha roll or forced submission).
   
   Next, I'm reading "The Other End of the Leash", "Culture Clash", and "How Your Dog Thinks" for a little meatier training. Tamar Geller is light and has a nice kind philosophy, and some good ideas about how to handle your dog(s).



5. I've read several negative reviews of this book and of other dog-training books on Amazon and honestly it seems like people just want an Easy Button. The more books your read and the better you know your animal will help you develop your own style of training. Each person is unique, so where I don't allow my dogs on the furniture, many people reading this may love the cuddle time with their pup. No one book is giong to 100% resonate with you, so it's really about learning as much as you can and setting your dog up to succeed.
   
   Climbing off my soap box, I think this is a great book for almost any dog owner. Let's face it, the majority of pet owners would hardly call themselves experts so it's frustrating when reviewers say books like this are recycled material. I commend anyone who's taking an active interest in learning how to train their dog. For those who want something clear and simple Tamar delivers. This is a How-To book that helps with the basics.
   
   One of my favorite suggestions she gives is to have the dog sit for everythjing, just as if you were teaching a child to say please. The dog is in a calm state of mind and getting whatever reward he's sitting for in only that position. My dog now sits whenever he wants anything. Doesn't mean he always gets it, but it's his way of asking nicely instead of jumping in my lap.
   
   When she talks about teaching tricks and behaviors, it was like a lightbulb went off in my head. I had never thought not to repeat myself over and over. The more I tried it (and it took patience on my part) I found that it actually worked quite well. Tamar instructs us to wait and let the dog "think" about it. I swear I could see the wheels turning in my dog's head. It's all logical though. If you asked me sit down and knit a blanket I couldn't do it. Saying it over and over and louder and louder would not overcome the fact that I don't know how to knit. With practice and incentive though, I could learn. So can your dog.
   
   My last commetn for the book is training to "Back Off" I didn't understand its value at first, however I'm already teaching my 7 month old puppy the behavior b/c I use it so much. Instead of jumping and getting excited for what he wants, my dog almost does the opposite by walking away from me and then sitting. The best part is that he does it on his own. When I do tell him "off" it's either b/c he's in harm's way (like when I open a hot oven) or I just need space (tying shoes, putting food bowl down, or opening a door) it's nice for him to take a step or two backwards without it being a struggle. Overall this book taught me how to teach functional behaviors. The biographical part is maybe not necessary, but it does show why she's trying to take a loving approach to dog training. I recommend this book for anyone who looses patience with their dog and wants to react some way other than yelling. It's much less stressful =)