5 comments about Training Dogs the Aussie Way.

1. Book Report:
   Training Dogs The Aussie Way - A practical guide for dog owners by the founders of the world's largest dog training company.
   By Danny and Sylvia Wilson
   
   Among the worst dog training methods I have read.
   
   They present themselves as "Bark Busters Grand Master Dog Behavioral Therapists" but never use ANY scientifically "peer-reviewed" terms or cite any sources for their point of views. And what is a "Grand Master" beside a marketing gimmick anyway? Neither are there any references to ANY internationally recognized Association of Dog Trainers.
   
   In this book there are many sections on how to discipline/correct (punish) the dog, and it uses many "punishers" as tools (water balloons, limited slip choke collars, spray bottles, leash pops, hand claps, growling BAH, and bean bags to throw, metal pots, metal colanders), but very little is written on how to reward the dog.
   
   They state that "positive training" presupposes "the dog knows good from bad", which means they know nothing at all about the subject of operant conditioning.
   
   And there are many many areas of double standards and inconsistency. They state that using treats is a bad method, but proceed to use them anyway. That the use of "physical force" is never used, but go on to explain how jerking the dog on the leash, forcing sits and downs (at painful pressure points), frightening the dog with hand claps and throwing things at the dog are all ok. That "Using the correct form of discipline (punishers) to teach your dog what is wrong is one of the best ways to care for and love your pet" (p14,pp3)
   
   They advocate throwing things and startling dogs with separation anxiety (p133,pp4), and startling puppies with hand claps at 6 weeks old (p49,pp2) to get them to stop barking. In fact any and all dog problems of the world can be "cured" by saying the magic word "BAH" and throwing stuff at the dog.
   
   They state in several locations that "dogs can't reason, but you can teach them to think". I believe dogs reason quiet well as dogs... I can't understand what they allude to with this "double speak", but they have not convinced me that they are an authority on dogs of any kind. This book is 80% punishment, and I would much prefer to have a PETsMART trainer than a Bark Buster trainer work with my dog hands down.
   
   Thumbs down - Bark Busters? BAH-humbug
   
   Tom Deluca
   Paw-Lite Dog Training Services



2. this book is greAT FOR a first time dog owner thAT DOESNT KNOW MUCH about dog trAINING and hAS A DOG THat is eASILY TRained.it is ALSO GOOD FOR TRainers thAT Have been in prACTICE FOR Many yeARS, as it offers insight on AMERICan trAINING TECHNIQUES VERSUS FOREIGN DOG TRaining. otherwise, dont expect much help with the section thAT IS SUPPOSED TO COVER SPECIal issues AND advANCED TRaining techniques. they just refer you to cALL THEIR agents or contACT a dog trAINER, WHICH NOT all of us hAVE MONEY FOR. THERE IS NO SECRET about dog trAINING, anyone AND EVERYONE Can train A DOG, Man or womAN. ITS all in the knowledge AND THE DESIRE TO Want to do it. once you aRE REady to be consistANT and follow A SCHEDULE as A DOG NEEDS Many issues ARE FIXED RIGHT THERE.
   THERE are ALSO DIFFERENT METHODS IN HOW TO TRain A DOG, as i believe, different strokes for different folks. it hAS TO BE a method you cAN FOLLOW and believe in to work. ALTHOUGH I DONT BELIEVE IN BEating A DOG INTO SUBMISSION OR VIOLENCE TO HELP IN Any wAY. I DONT BELIEVE IN FREE FEEDING TREats without discipline will help with ALL ISSUES EITHER. THERE MUST BE a bALance. think ABOUT IT. WHO GIVES THEIR CHILD a treAT FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO GOOD, and ignore them when they ARE Bad, does thAT WORK all the time? no. there must be other wAYS TO REach these children becAUSE NOT all methods work for one personALITY.



3. Having adopted an Australian Cattle dog from a shelter and researching all that I could on the breed on the Internet I settled on reading the book Training Dogs the Aussie Way.
   Not only is this book well written and very informative but it is also very entertaining and easy to read. I have read some literature on training that managed to either put me asleep or be so self indulgent that I wasn't sure if it was a biography about the trainer as opposed to a training manual. This book not only didn't put me asleep but kept me very entertained and the methods work.
   My "Heeler" had a terrible habit of nipping which is a trait that is inbreed. Using the methods sited in this book I managed to get my dog to stop biting within a day.
   Do yourself and your dog a favour and train your dog The Aussie Way.
   A great book at a great price.



4. This is a great book. My husband and I have always trained our dogs as if we were all part of a pack. This book uses the same training and it works. We are getting ready for a new puppy and we wanted to see what this book was all about. Many of the techniques in the book we already use, but there were a few things that we learned and are planning on using when our new pup arrives. Sound and gentle techniques to train your new puppy or aging dog alike. Don't pass this book up!



5. I've read a lot of dog books and have to say this method makes a lot of sense to me. It's written in a way that is clear and concise. And I loved all the real life examples. Wish I found this book about 7 years ago. It would have saved my poor dog from having to go through all kinds of blundering mistakes and methods. From the first day of using these methods I saw results. Who knew it could be so easy? And best of all I could toss the treats and e collars out of sight and work with just me and him.
   Sign me artie, a very happy dog owner

5 comments about Whippets (Barron's Complete Pet Owner's Manuals).

1. This book provides in depth knowledge concerning all aspects of whippets: their history, temperment, housing, training techniques, etc. I strongly recommend it as the proud owner of a whippet puppy. The information provided has worked wonders in learing about the whippet breed and managing our little guy.



2. I have found this book to be an excellent source for Whippet enthusiasts. It is quite comprehensive, has some stunning photography, and deals with pretty much every facet of owning one of these wonderful animals. It gave me a great deal of insight into Whippets in general. Highly recommend it!



3. i love this book. by reading it, i chose to get a whippet as my next dog. i already have a golden retriever, but she's really my mom's dog and i wanted one of my own to take to new york city when i go to college. as luck would have it, my cousin, raymond, who is one of the top whippet breeders in the country, called me and told me he had two little puppies who needed homes. my mom, my brother, my brother's friend, and i all went to his house one weekend and came home with an eight week old puppy. i named him elton, and he's sitting in my lap right now as a twelve week old adolescent. thank you so much, to the wonderful authors, for helping me choose my next breed of dog!



4. While the book is fairly concise, it is a very thorough handbook for owning a Whippet. I have referenced it many times in the few months since owning a Whippet puppy and each time it has something valuable to say. I highly suggest owning this book.



5. Great book - comprehensive guide for whippet owners. Useful information for those primarily interested as a pet owner rather than those looking for specialised advice on breeding, showing etc. Highly recommended. Should be mandatory reading for all prospective/new whippet owners. The information is detailed yet highly readable. The writing is of an excellent standard making it a pleasure to read.

5 comments about The Intelligence of Dogs: A Guide to the Thoughts, Emotions, and Inner Lives of Our Canine Companions.

1. If you go to Dr. Coren's site you may notice he lists his credentials twice in the first three paragraphs, and if you look at his published papers they have nothing to do with dogs. If you want to know the effects of being a left-handed person he may be the guy to talk with - but dog intelligence? He certainly writes a lot of material. Makes you wonder how he has the time to properly research things. He certainly claims to be an expert on a huge number of topics!! I don't see any peer reviewed articles on dogs anywhere. So how is it possible that he has become the most quoted person on the internet on dog intelligence? It's the horribly flawed list included in this book. Every pet food site looking for material to make their site look more legitimate quotes this nonsense. A research scientist (opinions of trainers and human psychologists do not count as animal intelligence research scientists) would never produce a list on dog intelligence using the data and sample sizes this "expert" obviously used. This guy is not an animal behavioralist. Does he have the credentials to judge the breeds and what their level of intelligence is. I say no he does not. Proof of this is just the statistical sample sizes needed to come to real conclusions when making claims like he has. Does anyone believe he sampled enough individual dogs to come up with dependable results?
   Dog breeds were developed to do very specific things. They have very different traits. If anyone has ever worked with a number of Australian Shepherds, for example, they'd have to just laugh at where the good doctor has placed them on his list. This is an extremely smart breed that is considered by many to be the equal of Border Collies. I live in an area where herding dogs are very common and Australian Shepherds are generally considered among the smartest of breeds. Where they should be on a list of dog intelligence is an interesting question as herding dogs are experts at certain - but not all - jobs. They do need to have high intelligence as they need to be able to take charge of a herd of large dangerous animals. Certainly nothing beats Border Collies at working sheep, but the three main breeds used around where I live are Aust. Shep.s, B. Collies and Aust. Cattle dogs. The Australian Shepherds are becoming more and more popular. So if B. Collies are #1 and Aust. Cattle dogs are #10 why are these breeds being displaced by a dog ranked #42 ? I guess the people that actually use and depend on their dogs for their safety and ability to help make the mortgage payments are just crazy or really not very bright. What really makes this list a joke, though, is the obvious lack of research work it represents. You need to use huge samples of each breed. He has not done this. I question his methods. I question his motives. What value does a list like this represent? Simple. People love lists - so they will buy them.
   How unbelievably egocentric it is to actually produce this list to begin with. And without up to date knowledge about the whole "alpha myth" and social structure of our dogs and wolves. This book is an insult to serious research scientists who could spend a career studying this material before feeling confident in their data set and results. This is just absolutely the worst kind of junk-science that is written to make a buck. I rate it as a step backwards in our understanding and knowledge of the breeds we love and choose. Minus 5 stars.



2. This book was not written to teach you how to train your dog. Rather, it's by far the most authoritative book available on what your dog senses and how he's likely to process and remember what he sees, hears, and smells. It gave me for the first time an understanding of why dogs react as they do and why successful training methods work. As Coren points out in one of his books, almost half of us share our homes with dogs at one time or another, but what we learn about in high-school biology is salamanders, sharks, and the platypus, creatures we never encounter personally. This book addresses that disconnect so well that I think it should be included in basic life-science curricula. Even for someone who has no intention of ever including a dog in his or her household, this book can provide an interesting new slant on understanding animals. That is to say that it has great value for its academic content as well as its practical applicability. I give Coren my highest recommendation among authors writing on the subject of canine psychology.



3. This is an absolutely awful book. It trades in on common misconceptions with dogs, and then goes on to make generalizations about breeds that have no business circulating. Thanks to this fine author, people can parade around their poodles and say they have the second smartest dog in the world... Never mind that they are tethered to a puppy mill inbred. Generalizing that Border Collies are smarter than Poodles are smarter that Rottweilers is just plain asinine. What was the sample size? (I believe it was like 5 dogs.)
   
   Maybe this book was supposed to make some owners feel better or something... Beats me. Read the Wiki on "Dog Intelligence"... Coren's only barometer for "intellect" revolves around the dog's willingness to please, which he still hasn't recognized because he's too busy believing the "Alpha Dog" myth.
   
   Save your money and buy your lil' man some bully chews.



4. Well, I was not that impressed. The book is a rather dull read, not terribly informative, although it gives some pertinent facts about dog barks, growls, sounds and positions as to what they mean. I learned quite a lot from this particular section. I don't know if I totally and quite agree about which particular breed of dog is the absolute most intelligent, as Coren points out, intelligence takes many forms---in dogs as well as in people. The book was all right. It has some good facts, but I was not overly impressed as I said above. He has many stories and tales about different breeds of dogs that underscore his points throughout the book. Again, it's all right, and if anyone wants to buy my copy really cheap, let me know. The book is not a keeper. That's my review of The Intelligence of Dogs!



5. This book is fabulous! Stanley Coren really has a way of bringing it down to the dogs level, giving you a deeper understanding of dog behavior.

4 comments about Breaking Bad Habits in Dogs.

1. a good book, illustrated examples not just text, easy strait foreward advice. I've bought this book 4 times for myself, friends and family. Anyone can follow this book.
   
   My only complaint is its not long enough, it covers things so indepth but in a way that anyone can understand it I only wish there was more to it.
   it has several different solutions for each issue, which helps because each dog, household, situation, person is different.



2. I purchased this book to help with socialization and separation problems of my beloved Morkie. Mr. Tenant's ideas helped with both these problems AND I ended up using many of the tips on other dog behavior topics as well. Since reading this book, I have a better understanding of how dogs think, which means that I now have a better behaved dog. The book is well organized, so it is easy to find information on particular dog behavior problems. The pictures complement the text extremely well. This book is by far my FAVORITE "dog behavior" book out of the many dog "how to" books that I own. I would highly recommend this book as a "must have dog book" for any dog owner.



3. This book cured my dog of moderate Separation Anxiety. I would highly recommend it. The chapters are organized according to the kind of problem, so you can find what you're looking for fast. The directions given are concise and easy to follow. Finally there are tons of pictures to help you along.



4. After adopting an out of control dog a couple of months ago, I have purchased many books on training. Most books say the same things, how to train basic commands. That would be easy if the dog would listen to you in the first place, but many dogs have behavior problems that make training impossible. Every chapter in this book was VERY helpful and informative. I would HIGHLY reccommend this book to anyone who is at their wits end with their dog. My dog behaves much better now and I am able to have guests come to my home again.

2 comments about Prince among Dogs, A: and Other Stories of the Dogs We Love.

1. This is a fabulous anthology containing twenty-eight real life escapades of loving canines starting with Dr. Prince being there for his adopted family including the cat when they were ill. The entries are fun to read for dog lovers though the quality of the writing varies; as some are over written and some boring, but each reminds the audience of their "significant other". Intermingled throughout are "paw" quotes from celebs. For instance Anne Tyler provides the first one on how dogs view people: "... we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul-chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we are the greatest hunters ..."; my Chauncey, who flew with me like the dog in Snakes On a Plane does for sure as she has her knife and fork ready when we come home with food. Readers will think of their "Real Life Lassie"; mine was Max, a Toto with psychotic fears except if he thought I might be in danger; whereas my spouse might choose flight, unrequited loving Max chose fight. Then there is Charlie who arrives at the house when Pixie is dying; reminds me of when we took Deuce for his first vet visit the same Rusty went for his last. Readers will find their own personal Jack London Buck tale amidst this heartwarming collection as pets constantly show there "For the Love of Man" and woman and children. Clearly this compilation of true life canine-human relationships targets dog lovers; as M. Acklan puts it "... dogs give us everything. It's the best deal we ever made". Pooches make us better people whereas the latter is rarely true.
   
   Harriet Klausner



2. Reviewed by Julina K. Mills
   
   Compiled and edited by Callie Smith Grant, this collection of short stories submitted by dog owners captures the reader with anecdotes of pets that made a difference in their people's lives. Although occasionally slow paced, the book is generally well-written and is a quick read that can be put down after each chapter without feeling like any part of the story is lost. Celebrity quotes in highlighted boxes are scattered throughout the pages and add to the casual and friendly feel of this book.
   
   Heartwarming and uplifting, the stories in A Prince Among Dogs share the deep emotional bond that forms when a four-footed friend touches the life of someone in need. With unconditional love and patience, the dogs in this book change the lives of the people they come into contact with... some over a lifetime, and some in just a few hours.
   
   Throughout the book you will meet a variety of canine characters, including a tiny blind mongrel who mourns the loss of her master to cancer, a smiling spaniel-collie cross who acts as a personal trainer, and a "three-legged survivor" who helps to heal a broken family.
   
   Contributing authors include individuals from diverse backgrounds including a dog trainer, freelance writers, a marketing director, and a social worker, among other professions. Although their personal histories may be drastically different, each contributor is a linked by a common thread - the thread that connects them to man's best friend.
   
   Armchair Interviews says: A nice tale for dog lovers-and you know who you are!

1 comments about 44 Days Out of Kandahar: The Amazing Journey of a Missing Military Puppy and the Desperate Search to Find Her.

1. Great book especially if you an animal lover.
   Shows a side of the military you never hear about.

5 comments about Dogs (Smithsonian Handbooks).

1. I bought this several years ago knowing my husband wanted a dog. He constantly was reviewing the breeds. We now have a 2 1/2 PWD and we still refer to it when we want to know more about a breed. Good addition to a library if you like dogs.



2. This book is a wonderful reference book especially when you are in the dog rescue business.



3. DOGS
   
   The book I have decided to read is the book called DOGS. The author of this book is David Alderson. This book caught my eye when I was looking for a book to read for my English class. I was very entertained by this book.
   
   I thought this book was great because it list and explains a variety of dogs. This book by David Alderson is also a great recourse book for any projects needed. And it is ranked the most accessible recognition guide. It also list and shows how to keep your dogs teeth clean, hair and paws clean as a whistle
   
   It is also a great book if you are looking to buy a dog. This book list dogs such as German shepherds, miniature dolt shuns and much more. It also lists about the dog's names where they came from, where they originated and what they were used for.
   
   This book was great to read and very interesting. This book is very entertaining and i am shore it will be to you. He is a great Author and I hope he comes out wit more books about this one.



4. My friend has a copy of this book that is almost the same, but shorter and fatter. I was jealous and bought this book, but found this one was way better, beacuse hers doesn't have as much information or dogs! This book tells almost everything you need to know on all the breeds of dogs. If you are a dog lover, buy this book!



5. this book has lots of really cool pictures and lots of really pretty dogs joe

5 comments about 8 State Hurricane Kate: The Journey and Legacy of a Katrina Cattle Dog.

1. TO WHOM IT CONCERNS
   I HAVE LOVED TO READ FOREVER, BUT IN RECENT MONTHS HAVE NOT FOUND ONE BOOK THAT IS SOMETHING I COULD FINISH...
   I MET THE AUTHOR OF THIS ABOVE BOOK ON THE 16TH OF NOVEMBER AND BOUGHT THE BOOK AND HAVE NOT PUT IT DOWN... I AM DONE WITH IT NOW... IT IS ONE OF THE MOST COURAGEOUS, LOVING, HAPPY, SAD, ALL INSPIRING BOOK I HAVE EVER PICKED UP,WHETHER YOU LOVE ANIMALS OR NOT.... I CANNOT FATHOM THE COURAGE IT TOOK TO TO WHAT THIS AUTHOR DID OR ANY OF THE KATRINA VOLUNTEERS FOR THAT MATTER...
   IF ANYONE ASKS ME FOR A GOOD BOOK TO READ... TRUST ME 8STATEKATRINAKATE WILL BE IT
   THANKS
   SUE HYLAND



2. If you have ever wondered what happens to animals after a disaster this book will amaze you. The level of compassion that this young woman shows for the abondoned animals of Katrina is so compelling. This book will change you!
   
   M. Meyer



3. 8 State Hurricane Kate was nominated for 2008 Dog Writers Association of America Awards in the "Self-published or Print-on-Demand" category and in the special category "Merial Human-Animal Bond Award"! There are three nominees in each category. The winners will be announced in December 2008 and awards will be presented at the annual DWAA awards banquet in February 2009. Go to the Dog Writers Association of America website for more info.
   
   8 State Hurricane Kate won a 2008 Premier Book Award: 3rd place in the "Memoir/Autobiography" category! Go to the Premier Book Awards website for more info.



4. Jenny did what many of us wanted to do, but couldn't or didn't. I was delighted to read her whole story. It shed new light on the rescue of 8 State Hurricane Kate, the very fortunate cattle dog. It is an enlightening inside view of circumstances following the devastation. It is so true, we can't save all animals(or people), but we can help one at a time, and that is the right thing to do. I know that I am really the fortunate one every time I am able to give a dog a ride to better circumstances. Thanks, Jenny for the book and all your efforts.



5. This is a deep book that takes the reader to the depths of despair and brings back hope. I love it, even though I hate people can leave dogs behind in times of trouble. God Bless Jenny for being there for Kate. I moved to AZ to avoid natural disasters, but if God comes up with a new one for AZ, please, God, have someone like Jenny find Ruby if I lose her.
   
   Jenny wrote a great book. Buy it, read it and give another copy to a friend.

4 comments about The Essential Yorkshire Terrier (Howell Book House's Essential).

1. The book is small and does have some useful information on Yorkies. However, I found the text to be more generic in the sense that it looks like the author copied a lot of the information from another generic dog book. Also, there were more errors in the text than there should have been for such a small book. For instance, on one page it mentioned how well a tick will show up on the dog's white coat. Yorkies don't have white coats. In addition, a lot of contradictory information was presented. In some parts of the text it mentions one thing while the boxes on the side said something else. To me the book was acceptable.



2. Thoroughly enjoyed the book. While somewhat fewer pages than expected, the text was very enlightening and the photos were exceptional!



3. I have bought several books on Yorkies and this one is by far the best. If you are thinking about getting a Yorkie, please get this book first!!!!!!!! It is full of information on the Yorkies personality and tempermant. It will truly help you get an understanding of the breed.



4. This book has great information on yorkshire terriers. It's wonderful illustrations give great demostrations like grooming, care tips etc. It 's a good book for beginners.

3 comments about A Dog's Wisdom: A Heartwarming View of Life.

1. I have to say that I bought this book because of its cover, title and index. Actually, it has lots of short stories describing different dogs and their families' daily lives. I don't think it is worthy if you want to learn how to train your dog, or understand your dog's way of thinking. All of those stories are too simple, full of human emotions without insightful analysis.



2. It's kind of "cutsie", but not particularly full of insight. Just some observations most any dog owner would make.



3. Hi, this is Margaret H. Bonham, the author. I want to tell you a bit about A Dog's Wisdom. It was a very hard book to write because it was very emotional. I decided to explore the reasons why dogs are so great. Dogs seem to have an inherent wisdom that we humans sometimes lack. They know to take care of their own, to party with wild abandon, and to love those who love us (and many times love those whom no one loves).
   
   This book explores the unique relationship we dog owners have with our dogs. Over the years I've had the joy of meeting many wonderful dogs -- and even a coyote whom I affectionately called Maynard. I tried to put into words what I saw within those deep brown (or in some cases, blue) eyes.
   
   To be honest with you, I can't read some of the stories without getting all teary-eyed. Yes, there are sad stories, but there are happy, funny, silly, touching and even amazing stories. I have found wisdom in so many dogs I've known. I bet you have too.