5 comments about How to Housebreak Your Dog in 7 Days (Revised).

1. I will advise the reader to buy the book before getting the puppy. READ IT!!! and think if you are ready to do what its needed... if you are still COOL with the idea.
   This is the BEST 7.99 you have spent in a long time. Adopt the schedule that best suits your style and star doing in it from day one. The schedule will help you and the puppy to get ready for the paper training, out door o whatever you decide.
   I have trained TWO shelties using this book, and on the first day. I GOT POSITIVE RESULTS, becuase I adopted a schedule from day one.
   Shelties are very easy to train, but getting them on the schedule from the start help to make it easier on you and them.
   The book gives you different choices depending on your life style, and it makes you feel good if you work all day (YES!!! THERE IS A SCHEDULE FOR YOU TOO)
   It is a quick read, no more than 30 minutes to a fast reader, around an hour for a slow.. it is easy to follow and you can skip a chapter depending on what you need.
   STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!!!



2. This is a most confusing and contradictory book. In the first few chapters, it states never paper train if your intention is to have the dog "go" outdoors. Then if you dog is very young put plenty of layers of newspapers on the floor. It says not to confine the puppy in the crate, let him come and go. Then it says to confine the puppy in the crate.
   
   I think it would have been beneficial to chapter each method and be consistant within each chapter. Our new puppy is primarily my 10 year old son's dog. However I am reading the material too. He has informed me that this book isn't vey good, and has found another that is better. I hope Amazon prints all of the reviews.



3. This approach really works. Our pup is only 11 weeks old and is already well on his way to being fully house trained.



4. This has been the most useful book I've seen so far, and I have 3 other books on this topic. Unlike a lot of reviewers here who talk about "common sense," this is my first dog ever, so I have no prior experience to apply.
   
   I found the information very specific and helpful. In the book, the suggested schedules begin with puppies as young as 4 months (16 weeks). But it worked just as well with my 13-week-old puppy. He's 19 weeks now and I can say with confidence "No 'accidents.'" I've even been able to take him over to friends' homes for an evening and he only goes outside. When he's in his crate at night, he's good until morning.
   
   The key to getting the best results from this book, I think, is that you really have to be consistent and follow the directions as written. I took a week off from work to apply the techniques in this book, and it's been great ever since.



5. Shirlee Kalstone's book LITERALLY changed my life. I had skimmed over this book at the pet supply store but thought, "Very interesting...but surely I'LL never need it because teaching MY puppy to 'go' outside will be a snap." Two weeks, one wet, yellow floor, and two peed-on couch cushions later, I was at wit's end, finally admitting to myself I needed help (BADLY), as it seemed that my 18-week-old miniature dachshund boy would never have ANY interest in outdoor urination.
   
   This book was truly the answer to my prayers - I was AMAZED by it and the great results it produced! It really did change my entire life, as well as my dogs'. The book emphasizes sticking to a schedule, which created a challenge for me initially since I am the "creative sort" (read: TERRIBLE at time management, being on time, sticking to schedules, etc.) but I really made a point of sticking to it as closely as possible (for me) and once he became reliable, I was able to relax it some. Another thing I liked about this book is that there are two different time schedules, depending on whether or not you work outside the home. Most housebreaking books assume that there is at least one person at home at all times to help with the housebreaking but, for those of us who actually have to work for a living (quelle horreur!), this offers an excellent alternative schedule that is very easy to comply with.
   
   Summarily, this is an INCREDIBLY worthwhile read and one of the few books that I would recommend - and give as a gift!- to ANYONE getting a new puppy. I devoured everything I could on puppy housebreaking when my dog was learning, both in print and on the Internet, and "How To Housebreak Your Dog in Seven Days" was by FAR the best, fastest, and most effective. In only two weeks' time, my dog went from seemingly SMILING at me while copping a squat on my bath rug to peeing outside on command whenever he hears the phrase "HURRY UP" (in fact, he's so reliable about it, I'm almost afraid to say those words indoors, even in other contexts!). This book is destined to become a classic and one I would recommend over and over to ANYONE who would prefer their dogs pee on their front lawn and not their carpet.

5 comments about On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals.

1. The booklet was not quite what I expected, but it did have some helpful tips for how I should interact with my shy dog. I did find that I was being seen as too dominate by the way that I looked and reached for my dog. By just changing some little thing, I saw a big differenc in my dog right away. If you are looking for a booklet with some quick tips, this is a good selection.



2. This is a brief, very readable book that increased my knowledge of canine body language. To her credit, Ms. Rugaas does not say this is a scientific study. It is a how-to book based on her observations and efforts, an accessible book to begin learning canine body language.
   
   I have several large dogs and have read many dog books. This book was light and enjoyable. It was fun to try the head-turns and other signals myself. I was able to more easily recognize stress in my dogs and then reduce it.
   
   Any language can be mis-interpreted. No book can guarantee to keep you or your dog out of aggressive situations.



3. The material was presented in an anecdotal style. It was not presented in a manner that evidenced a unifying underlying understanding of behavior. I did find pieces of the book to be helpful, and I have no doubt that the author has extensive experience and great skill working with dogs. However the information was presented in what seemed like a piecemeal fashion and did not have evidence based or objective material to support the authors own opinions.



4. This is a book, IMO, that every person should read. When you read this book and observe your dog or other dogs somewhere, you will see just what they are saying. To think, I thought for a long time, that when a dog "yawned" he was tired. I find myself looking for these "Calming Signals" all the time with mine or others.



5. I cannot believe how much this book helps me communicate with my reactive dog. I have a small library of dog books and by far this little book outshines them all.
   I also foster dogs and this helps me get acquainted with all the different breeds and the author is right they (dogs) all speak the same language.
   You have to be smart enough to apply the techniques. I've read some real stupid reviews.

5 comments about For the Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend.

1. For The Love Of A Dog
   Patricia McConnell is an absoltely brilliant woman. I've been a breeder/owner/trainer of German Shepherds for most of my life as well as a trainer/behaviorist of different breeds for many years. This is the most complete information compiled I have ever read. I would even go so far as to say it's my "Bible" for truly understanding how dogs perceive all of life. To make it even easier to comprehend, Ms McConnell even gives analogies relating to human behavior. If I could've given it a hundred stars in the evaluation, I would've! A must read for ANYONE who desires to have a real connection with their canine companions.



2. Patricia McConnell is now my favorite writer. This book helps us to understand your dog more. Isn't that what we all want?



3. Forget Caesar...Patricia McConnell has written some of the best, most informative books about dogs, language, and behavior you will ever read...hands down. Every dog owner should read this book, and even those who don't have dogs...a lot can be learned.



4. As a trainer, I work with many fearful and reactive dogs. I found the Fear chapter in For the Love of a Dog very useful for helping my clients to understand WHY their dogs behave the way they do. The explanations of how dogs experience fear were excellent.
   
   I think the whole book is terrific for a readers with an intense interest in dog behavior.



5. I was impressed with the information included in this book. Patricia McConnell knows how to tell a story and has a wealth of information to share. Since reading this book, I have purchased several other books by her, all very good.

5 comments about The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd.

1. I bought my first horse six months ago. I think I will write a book too. If owning your first horse for 18 months makes you an expert on horses, then my owning a horse for six months might make me an expert too. Yes I am a novice, but I know ridiculous when I read it. Don't shoe or blanket your horses?? I guess we shouldn't worm or vaccinate them either then. There is alot of bad advice in this book for a novice because it is written by a novice. I must go now so I can start writing my own book.



2. A friend of mine gave me this book. I was so excited as I have always raved to her about the magical bond between humans and horses. I have owned, trained, and loved horses for the last 30 years. Most of my experience predates the relatively newer "Natural Horsemanship" movement that has seized the horse community. There has always been a rash of bad trainers and bad horse people in the world who felt domination was more important than respect. I am NOT one of those people. I myself use and implement natural horsemanship techniques every single day. I have a very strong bond with all of my horses.
   
   The book began on a good note; the key to a successful relationship is establishing a good strong bond. KUDOS! But then it went downhill with the author criticizing and dismissing nearly 90% of the equine owning world. Horses should be outside 24/7... they never need to wear shoes... they never need to be blanketed... etc... He spoke in terms of absolutes and certainty... that those things NEVER should be done to a horse. To do them is inhumane bordering on abusive.
   
   I have owned many horses and performed in many different fields. I have shown, jumped, dressage, endurance trail, and pleasure. While your typical pleasure horse that is not being worked vigorously daily probably will never need shoes, or need to be stalled (I don't believe in stalling a horse 24 hours), or need a blanket; performance horses are a different story. Some of my performance horses do need shoes, and in winter they do in fact need to be blanketed to allow their body to regulate after a work out. Sometimes we even have to body clip them so that they can cool down without catching a chill or getting muscle cramps. Leg wraps are for their protection, not for my vanity.
   
   After reading the book you may ask, "why would you subject your horse to such things... everything you are doing is against the horses natural evolution of 55 million years." Well 55 million years ago, horses did not have a relationship with man. If you take the authors argument to its logical conclusion, it is inhumane for man to ride or have a relationship with a horse. (I know some of you feel that way, but that is probably a topic for another day.) My point is that you can take the "what is natural" argument to far. It is not natural for a horse to have a human on its back, or a bit in its mouth, or a halter on its head. If we should never blanket, shoe, or stall our horses than what gives us the right to ride them in the first place? Surely carrying around 150 to 200 pounds of excess weight is much worse than the afore mentioned sins.
   
   It is exciting to hear that someone has embraced their horse with such fervor in such a short period of time. But I think he goes wrong when he begins telling the entire horse world that everything they know and have been doing for the last millennium is wrong. Especially considering his entire horse experience has been derived from books, DVDs, and 18 months of horse ownership. It is insulting and it is not intended to further the human/horse bond. It is only meant to chastise horse owners who do not subscribe to his brand of horse ownership.
   
   The book may be entertaining to someone who is a novice in the horse field, but for those of us who have been around horses our entire life it rings hollow. I feel pretty confident that if my horse was allowed to rejoin its herd, he would return to me as well.



3. This is a remarkable book that invites the reader to enter deeper into his or her own soul as well as the souls of horses. It's beautifully written with love and care and teaches much about horses that I, a lover of horses and all animals, had not fully considered before. I also highly recommend another horse book, ON THE TRAIL OF THE PONY EXPRESS, by Cherokee author Jerry Ellis. He retraces the 2,000 mile route of the Pony Express Trail by horse, foot, covered wagon and canoe.



4. I read this book at the recommendation of a friend who always has good taste in books. I found myself captured by the story and learning as much about life in general as I learned about life raising horses. "Life Lessons from the Herd" just as easily applies to those of us who live in the "herd" of busy city life as it does to those on the farm.



5. As a long time horse owner, I was shocked, then saddened that I've been mistreating my horses all of these years. If Camp has done half of the research he claims, then maybe PETA should be alerted to the plight of the horse. The research section of the book, (the only part I didn't find highly entertaining) is full of resources that I now must plod through because as Camp says straight out, he's "only been at this a short while."

5 comments about How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: The Classic Training Manual for Dog Owners (Revised & Updated Edition).

1. The methods in this book will work on many dogs but be dead wrong for certain temperaments and breeds. It is WAY to harsch for my soft goldens.



2. This is a revised addition of a wonderful book that has been around for a long time. The Monks are very impressive with their knowledge of dogs, their behavior and body language. The book teaches how to recognize the body language and how to correct unwanted behaviors. Their corrections are very quick and non abusive. They stress the necessity of being the pack leader but not in an overly demanding and strident manner. I have raised and trained many dogs using their methods and found them to be very successful. My dogs have always been good friends and a pleasure to have in our home. I highly recommend this book as well the other books by the Monks on training dogs.



3. if you are looking for a deeper relationship or just have a few problems with your dog and need some advise this book is fantastic. also read the art of raising a puppy even if you have an adult dog.



4. I got this book from a friend and have absolutely loved it. This book should be owned by all dog owners and breeders. This is the best book I have ever read on dog training, and I have read many. By the time you are half-way through this book you feel as if you and your dog actually understand each other. That's a result that speak for itself!
   
   Also check these books:
   Why Do Dogs Drink Out of the Toilet?: 101 of the Most Perplexing Questions Answered About Canine Conundrums, Medical Mysteries and Befuddling Behaviors
   The Dog Who Rescues Cats: True Story of Ginny, The



5. I don't raise Jack Russell terriers but I do replenish my own supply as I have a good line...when I breed the rare litter I carefully select who may take one of my pups.
   I always give the new owner of one of my pups a copy of this book. It is unbelieveably straight-foreward and no-nonsense and, above all, the monks' theory works. I have used it with great success on every one of my hard-headed little Jacks and, if you know Jack Russells, that's a feat!
   I will also admit that I used the "take 'em down" technique on my own teenagers a few times! Anaother example of how you don't need to beat them....just show them who's alpha!

5 comments about Chosen by a Horse.

1. This book is a gutsy look at a hard life, and at the same time a moving story of a horse/owner relationship most of us will only dream of. Definitely a book for adults (not for horse-loving teens), it describes coming to terms with a difficult life in middle years, and how the past can be overcome, no matter how tough. It's a lovely story, told with honesty and courage. Susan Richards' horses are described so vividly as to seem like human characters. A book to be read alongside a box of Kleenex.



2. Based on other reader's comments, I purchased this book in anticipation of a great story. Somewhat disappointed and expected much more. Would not recommend purchasing; borrow from a friend or library.



3. A fast & easy read. A touching and heart-warming story. It is pleasing to to know that when others don't care about the welfare of animals that there are others who do. This is such a story. As an owner of several adopted animals, they have given me so much more than what I give them.



4. Well written book about a horse and it's new owner. Both have issues and learn to overcome them. If you like horses, you'll enjoy this book.



5. I picked up this book, excited it was about my passion: horses. We agreed to read it during our office book club (we are a global publisher's office, so we've gone through our share of literature). The day of the meeting everyone was silent. I think they were afraid of offending me, since I love horses. I spoke up first. "I hated it. It was boring, had nothing to do with her relationship with her horse (if she even had a relationship at all). All she did was whine about her life." Everyone sighed, and started pouring out their thoughts. They agreed with me. They thought it was terrible writing, the characters were in no way engaging, and was there even a relationship with the horse?
   
   This has to be the least engaging book I've ever read. The author doesn't heal at the end, like she claims to have. There is no evidence of it, and there is no evidence that the horse even helped her heal. I really felt like yelling at the author throughout the book, "get over yourself!" And while I feel very sorry for the hardships she's been through in her life, the whole book was one big whining-fest.
   
   Please, do not waste your money. There are many more valuable literature out there that are actually about the bonds between a woman and her horse, but this is not one of them. The author digs herself deeper into a hole that started in the beginning of her life, and tells the story in writing at a 7th grade level. Who did she know at the publisher's office to become an author?

5 comments about Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats.

1. I was really looking for more recipes than are offered in this book. Also not quite ready to do raw feeding and didn't realize that most of the recipes are raw. There is quite a bit of info on nutrition so if that is what you are looking for this is the book.



2. Once you've read this book, you'll never go back to commercial dog food again. This book was very informative and helped me understand everything I needed to get started cooking for my dog. And it's easy! It takes about 30 minutes to prepare food for your pet for the whole week. I've only been cooking for him for 2 weeks and he's like a puppy again. If you love your dog, buy this book - You're dog will thank you.



3. This book is extremely helpful with lots of good information in caring for your pet. It informs you on how to keep your pet as healthy as possible and avoid the vets office. Wonderful advise.



4. I have had the original Pitcairn guide for many years now, and consider it a classic in the field of natural healthcare for pets. As a canine behavior specialist, I am well aware of the link between nutrition and behavior issues, so I find this information especially valuable and have recommended it to many of my clients.
   
   I like that this new edition contains information on environmental pollutants and toxins, which is a topic that is thankfully coming more to the forefront in the public's minds. This book will help owners to understand just how much of an impact those factors can have on our beloved pets.
   
   To comment on a review by another reviewer, I am guessing that the information regarding raisins and grapes and the link to renal failure came to light after this guide was published, and I certainly hope that any recommendations to include raisins in the diet will be removed in future printings.



5. This book contains very valuable information. My Persian cat has food allergies since three years and she has been treated with prednisone and other medication since that time. Thanks to the simple suggestions of Dr Pitcairn, I have been able to reduce prednisone and go without it for long periods, clean her eyes using almond oil which seems to be gentler that the commercial eye cleaners, supplement her diet with cod liver oil, etc. The allergies are diminishing. I have yet to make her accept home prepared food but plan on doing it.
   This book contains treasures for cat owners who have tried it all without success. Explanations are simple, ingredients easy to find in natural food stores.
   I highly recommend it.

5 comments about Don't Shoot the Dog!.

1. "This book is about how to train anyone -- human or animal, young or old, oneself or others -- to do anything that can and should be done. How to get the cat off the kitchen table or your grandmother to stop nagging you. How to affect behavior in your pets, your kids, your boss, your friends. How to improve your tennis stroke, your golf game, your math skills, your memory. All by using the principles of training with reinforcement."
   
   That first paragraph from the foreword pretty much sums it up. The book is delightful to read. I'm not a behavioral scientist, but it seems like a reasonably thorough introduction to training through reinforcement and shaping. It has helped me better train our dogs, and clarified my understanding of what actually is going on in the training process.
   
   I really like her systematic approach to the material, with definitions and examples. She includes a little background -- the"Clever Hans" phenomenon, the contributions of B.F. Skinner, her own background with marine mammals, the traditional punitive approach to animal training. The book is not exclusively about training dogs; she doesn't address dominance (except as an explanation for the prevalence of punishment in society) or pack psychology. She does clearly explain reinforcers, aversives, markers and the importance of timing, stimulus control, methods ("recipes") vs. principles, variable schedules, behavior chains, successive approximation (shaping), etc. Particularly valuable for me are the rules of thumb about reinforcer size, the "Ten Laws of Shaping," the "Training Game," and the concept of backwards chaining.
   
   Perhaps controversially, the book advocates using operant conditioning to improve the behavior of one's fellow humans. This struck me as manipulative, but I think I'm starting to agree with Pryor. Operant conditioning ultimately is a tool for communicating. There are clearly occasions when it is a more effective and efficient way to communicate than discussion or argument.



2. I liked this book better than all the other learning theory books. Although she does teach the scientific jargon which is important to know, the author explains learning theory in terms/analagies that the layperson can easily understand.



3. As a dog trainer this was one of the required reading materials when I first started at Guide Dogs for the Blind. I think it is a good idea to read many different kinds of training guides as I find myself using positive only training methods.
   
   -Julie the online dog trainer from www.webDogTrainer.com



4. Fantastic. Reading this has helped me gain a bit of insight into relating better with our dog (and people too). For five years I have tried many things to aid in getting our dog to stop pulling while on leash. A Gentle Leader didn't work. A choke collar didn't work. I even resorted to using a Herm Sprenger prong collar, to no avail. After reading this, I realized I needed to "speak" a language my dog could understand. He pulls, I stop. He wants to walk, so he stops pulling. Our walks are quite lovely now, and I didn't need to buy an expensive training aid to accomplish that.



5. Works wonders for my dog, and I've noticed my boss uses these methods to get the best from me also (and I don't mind!).

5 comments about Good Owners, Great Dogs.

1. I thought that Mr. Kilcommons had a lot of great ideas. The thing is you use what works and your leave the rest. Not every trainer works for every dog. The main thing is that the person must be the alpha dog and act properly so that your dog respects you and wants to work for you.
   I like the fact that Mr. Kilcommons says that the owners need to do their part, such as exercise. If a dog misbehaves, a lot of time it may be because they are not getting enough exercise. So if they still misbehave, give them more exercise. There is a lot of responsibility to being an owner. Also, I saw the results regarding using plastic bowls for my cats; I used Mr. Kilcommons' advice in using ceramic or stainless steel bowls instead and one my cats lost her black mark on her chin. So the book has a lot of good advice.



2. this book is amazing!! it has great tips and really helped me with my puppy triaing!



3. This is a good book if you need information about your dog, and things that you need to improve on! Its worth the money!



4. I read this book over 15 years ago before I brought my dog home. The advice was invaluable...I raised a happy, healthy, and emotionally secure Westie who lived to be almost 15 years old. I referred to the book and revisited chapters throughout Murphy's life, and ultimately found Brian's advice about the inevitable very comforting.



5. Recommended by out Vet for help in training our new pup. So far, so good.

5 comments about Cat Vs. Cat: Keeping Peace When You Have More Than One Cat.

1. This book is great. I got it because I was interested in understanding my cats, not for any problems, because my cats are pretty good with each other.
   
   Reading the book, I realized I got lucky by just chucking my cats together when I adopted them.
   
   This book has lots of great tips, like placement of food, and even how to play with your cats. (I wasn't letting them catch the rope enough)
   
   It deals with all sorts of issues: hierarchy, toys, food, scratching posts, going outside, cat tree placement, etc etc.
   
   And the photo on the front is freaking hilarious. I laugh every time I look at the book. The cat on the right could have a thought bubble above... "Step off, chump!"
   
   Last but not least, I'll say that I'm really really tempted to get another of this author's books, but this book is so good, I'm not sure what the other books will have that this book doesn't. It's that good.



2. I have learned so much about cats after reading this book that my three cats are much happier now. By the way, I am also very happy, since they are not scratching our furniture any more. This book is also very well written, making the reading experience pleasant and easy. Thank you so much, Pam. You are awesome!



3. Before I purchased this book, I was at my wits end. I have 8 cats and my husband and I were seriously considering getting rid of at least half of them. It was the last thing we wanted to do and we really struggled with it. We had a HUGE litterbox problem (among other things) and I'd become embarrassed to have anyone over because the urine smell in the house was just awful. Some cats had stopped using the box altogether even though I was cleaning them regularly. Everything I'd read about online and discussed with other cat owners and even veterinarians wasn't working. I tried different litters, moving the boxes, buying more boxes and anything else I came across but nothing was working. We also had an issue where 2 of the cats weren't getting along at all. They couldn't even be in the same room together or there'd be a violent confrontation. Also, my carpet, wallpaper, furniture and even door frames were being shredded on a daily basis. About a month ago, I came across this book online and decided to purchase it as a last ditch effort. We decided this would be our last attempt at correcting the problems and the next step was getting rid of them. The day I received the book, I immediately began reading it. There was one suggestion the author gave about litter box problems that I'd never heard before. In fact, I'd always heard the opposite! Anyway, I put this suggestion into play the very next day and I've never looked back! All of my cats are using the boxes and my house smells fresh and clean again. In fact, the problem was fixed immediately. I used to clean up urine and feces several times a day and I swear, I haven't had to clean up either since I got this book! Also, the issue with the 2 feuding cats has improved greatly and all the cats are now scratching where they're supposed too. The 2 cats still don't get along but we've found away around it (as suggested in the book) and everybody is much happier. I don't think I could even put a price on this book for what it's done for our family. With what I was paying for carpet cleaners, steam cleaning, paper towels, litter, more boxes...etc., this book has paid for itself a hundred times over!



4. I've always had cats and thought I knew them well. Not so much, lol. I got this book when I introduced two new cats. It's really helped my cats (and my sanity). It sounds funny, but it helps you to think like a cat which makes understanding and dealing with them a lot easier.



5. This is a great little book full of information on cats. It has especially good information for introducing a new cat into the household. It's a must have in order to avoid commom mistakes most of us make when bringing a new kitty home.