5 comments about Be the Pack Leader: Use Cesar's Way to Transform Your Dog . . . and Your Life.

1. The book came in great condition however, it took a few additional days to get to me.



2. i find cesar very easy to listen to the only thing i had hoped there was more info on how to become calm assertive the audio book is funny informative and relaxing to listen to while i am driving.



3. I get more out of Cesar's books in reminding me of my role and responsibility as a pet owner. If you are looking for a tactical book giving you step-by-step instructions, this probably isn't the book for you. Cesar's books don't always give clear tactical steps to dog training. You do X, Y, Z. But I still think it's a good read if you take it for what it is.
   
   What I always take away from the books:
   (1) Reminds us that what we want to give our dogs and what the dogs need, may be two very different things
   (2) Not to humanize dogs with feelings and human traits - but to understand what those traits/instincts mean for the dog and how they explain its reactions
   (3) Remind us to be mindful of my own attitude and the energy I am projecting around animals
   
   
   I've both read a few of Cesar Milan's books AND watched his TV show. When I see the 1-star reviews, I wonder if people are actually reviewing the books or just reacting to the TV persona? Or even just reacting to certain words viewed often as negative like "discipline" or "dominance"?
   
   Personally, I don't understand when I see people saying Cesar Milan rules by "fear". I don't see it. But I do understand that every dog is different and not all training methods will work for every dog. And combining techniques and tactics may be the best route to really benefit your dog.



4. This is an excellent book that breaks down each attribute of cesar's methods into basic or steps so that it is easy for the average joe to follow. We have been able to use this book to help significantly with our high-energy labradoodle. We also just got a new dog and was able to use the steps in this book to properly introduce her to the house and family.



5. This book really helped me to grow in many ways. When I had my first service dog to train two years ago, it wasclear that Autumn needed a strong leader and a versitile training method. THis book helped me understand the manner of the pack behavior dogs exhibit and it showed me how to bring those traits not only into my relationship with my dog, but applying those lessons to my own battle with cancer helped me stay the fight and continue to live. i highly recommend this book for many reasons. Read it to find out how it can and will help you with your dog and your life!

5 comments about Snuggle Puppy (Boynton on Board).

1. My one and a half year old brings this book to us a lot. She loves the parts where it has the "kiss" because I make the "mwah" kissing sound and give her a kiss. She gets a crack out of it every time and most times tries to kiss the dog in the book right after I make the "mwah" sound. It's an easy read and repeats a lot, so easy to remember the words and the song rhyme. A must add to your collection!



2. This book is amazing! I love all the Sandra Boynton books honestly but this is one of our families Favorites! I love that there is actually music to this song out there so I can sing it to my son. Sandra Boynton has surpassed my expectations in this one! I am thrilled and it will be a well read book in my house.



3. My 15 month old grandsons LOVE this book! They've been enthralled since before they turned one. They love having it read to them and they also love looking at it on their own. We sing our own version of the song and it always, always has a calming effect.



4. My son loves all the different colors of the letters in the book and whenever we read the book he likes to flip to that page and point at it!



5. I didn't think this book or even Sandra Boynton was all that special when I first bought it but everyone owns her books, so apparently we have to also. Not expecting much, I dug up the song on Youtube and played it for my baby a few times while singing along. Maybe it was the infectious cuteness of the adorable pictures which had me snuggling more with baby, maybe it was all the baby kissing because the song cues you to kiss a couple of times, but within two days it became baby's favorite book. Every time I put the music on that day, he would look up and grin. He's 8 months old and normally eats books, but on the second day, I saw him holding this book and contemplating it for several minutes (without eating). Then he quietly said "Oooh" to himself. ("Oooh" is one of the repeated refrains of this book). I got one of baby's first words and an new found interest in books out of this. In my mind, that's a good six bucks spent.
   
   I was so impressed I went on to buy the Philadelphia Chickens CD which includes the absolutely lovely Eric Stoltz recording of this song. Mind you, it's not just the music, it's this book so don't just skip to buying only the CD. The Philadelphia chickens CD, while enjoyed, did not get the kind of response as did singing with this illustrated board book.

5 comments about Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals.

1. I love the way Temple Grandin explains things in such a straightforward, no nonsense way. I had a little trouble with the chapter on chickens because there is still so much mistreatment in that industry. I don't know if I'll ever be able to prepare and eat chicken when I think of the visual images. All I can say is that this book gives us hope that people in the industry (and everywhere) are finally realizing that animals DO have emotions and that we as humans have a responsiblity to treat them as such. If you enjoyed Animals in Translation then you will surely enjoy this book. I only hope that people who have a direct impact will read this book and heed its recommendations.



2. Great for anyone living with animals, children, or any adult who acts like and animal or child. I've read many psychology/sociology books. The information provides interesting insight.



3. Not done yet, because I'm reading several books, but this is a fine reference book in regards to many aspects of understanding the animal psyche and how it works on a variety of levels. I'm really enjoying it and will definitely reccomend it!
   Way to go Temple! Outstanding!



4. The Author of this and several other books is remarkable. The recent HBO movie brought Temple Grandin's extraordinary story to a wider audience. Diagnosed Autistic at four years old, the story of her "opening doors" to achieve a PhD in animal husbandry and a full professorship is inspirational. As is her significant contribution to animal welfare in the meat production industry. This was an easy read and very enjoyable. And, sometimes, useful for its insight into animal mentality. She is dispassionate, clear thinking and, probably, most of the time, right. But there's the caveat. She does acknowledge when she is offering an opinion, rather than a scientifically demonstrated fact. (And, by the way shows just how limited our body of scientifically demonstrated fact really is!) This is a valuable and inspirational book which tries to tread carefully through the minefield of human sentiment regarding animals and animal welfare. Her unsentimental and realistic perspective is refreshing. The extent of our ignorance and how that ignorance brings suffering to animals is depressing. But anyone who cares about their pet, or about animal welfare, will truly enjoy Dr. Grandin's perspective.



5. This was my first experience with the famous successful animal activist. It is a delightful read and made the HBO movie on the author a must see. I intend reading more of her books and meeting her at Colorado State or at the World Affairs Conference in Boulder if possible.
   
   RMPowell, MD

5 comments about 101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog.

1. I have a therapy dog and we visit hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, etc. every weekend. She is highly trained in obedience, but I wanted to do some fun things with her that the residents/patients could enjoy while visiting them. This book was perfect! She's learned so many new tricks and we had so much fun doing it. It was a nice break from obedience training. Everyone we visit is so delighted, lots of aahhs and oohhs. They always ask for her in particular. The book is filled with tricks for all levels of learning from beginner to advanced and includes tips to make the training easier. When my dog enters a room she waves hello and when we finish our visit/tricks she "bows" and before we leave she "says a prayer". The smiles she gets are so worth it!



2. Our dog can now use the toilet and she remembers to flush every time!! Eat your heart out ceasar!



3. Love it, everything from sit to get me a beer! And it shows you how to do it step by step, the body language, eye contact all of it. I ordered this one and Victoria Stillwells, It's Me or The Dog book. Together they are awesome!



4. There is a short section in the beginning of the book with basics of training and some good tips. The remainder of the book presents 101 tricks you could teach your dog. However, the average number of steps it ~3. Actual techniques for molding behavior, capturing behavior, or naming that behavior for a specific trick are not well explained. For example, "Take it" consists of (paraphrased):
   1. Pick a toy the dog likes and hand it to him with a verbal cue.
   2. "Have him hold it only a few seconds" then you take the toy and give a treat and gradually lengthen the time he holds it before rewarding.
   3. Funny applications of thing he can hold.
   What's missing is how to get the dog to take the toy in the first place. Perhaps your does, but this will not be the case for all of the tricks. You will likely end up with unreliable compliance. Also, detailed positive training books teach getting the dog to reliably do the behavior before adding a verbal cue.
   
   I highly recommend using this book only for ideas once you already know strong basics of positive training.
   My favorite books for this are:
   Treats, Play, Love by Patricia Burhnam---wonderful explaination of how positive training works and plenty of examples
   The Power of Positive Training---plenty of how-to's, but a bit self-righteous about positive training and insistance on clickers. I use a verbal "clicker", the word "yes", and apply the book's methods.
   
   Good luck and happy training!



5. This book is amazing. Definately a steal even at the regular $20 price. And SO worth it. Easy instructions with pictures for every step, tips on everything, and cute little tidbits from Chalcy(the pretty doggy on the front :P). Already my dog is learning to roll over and sit pretty. Theres tricks in here for everybody. I particularly can't wait until my dog is ready to learn how to pick up her toys :p. This book provides a lot of fun, and a lot of info.
   I would really reccomend this book to everyone. Every dog owner should have it. (the book ends with the trick "Wave good-bye". How cute is that?? lol)

5 comments about The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

1. I read this book because my girlfriend works with Autistic children and she wanted to read it together. I didn't expect much; from the cover, I thought it was Young adult liturature. It turns out that it was a great read with a lot of depth. It was amazing how much tension resulted from everyday situations when seen through the eyes of someone with Aspeger's. It definitly increased my perspective on this condition. Despite the tension it was a pleasant read, with a lot of humor. It was a good page turner for me. I stayed up way too late finishing it.



2. I am the school psychologist for a class of teens with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) and related disorders. I purchased a classroom set of books, including the discussion guide and audio set, for the teacher to use as a class project for literature and as part of our disability awareness. Students with AS have a poor sense of self which underlies their deficits in Theory of Mind (that others have thoughts and feelings different from their own) and social communication. The main character, Christopher, so accurately demonstrates the strengths and weaknesses of AS. What is most fascinating is that my students, who are aware of their disability, cannot relate at all to the main character, even though Christopher has very similar behaviors to their own. All of this reveals how really impaired AS students are in terms of their intra-personal intelligence and ability to manage in every day life although they are bright and knowledge in other ways. The class is progressing slowly through this book, which is a remarkable story and beneficial for teens with AS to read. However, it is more appropriate to read through with them to get maximum benefit. It is a must reading for parents and others who want to understand Asperger's syndrome in every day life.



3. Christopher Boone, the narrator of this story, is a fifteen year old Rain Man. He is as gifted mathematically as Dustin Hoffman was in the movie, but he's as helpless as he was as well, he's socially without a clue. He sees things differently than others, in his words, "My memory is like a filmÉ.And when people ask me to remember something I can simply press Rewind and Fast Forward and Pause like on a video recorder." He takes what he's told and what he sees at face value.
   
   When he discovers Wellington, a neighbor's pet poodle, killed, stabbed with a pitchfork, he is at first blamed, then he decides to find out for himself who forked the dog. Using Sherlock Holmes as his model, he digs into the crime and this forces him to foray out into the real world, away from the familiar safety of his home and special school. And it also leads to an unraveling of his own family's history. He learns a secret that forces him to re-evaluate everything he's taken for granted and that's pretty scary stuff for a boy like Christopher.
   
   Christopher is a wonderful character and he walks through an endearing story well told. This is a book that should be on everybody's Christmas or birthday list. I can't praise it highly enough.



4. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time began beautifully. The mystery of who killed a dog, shown through the eyes of a 15-year-old autistic boy, was more intriguing and entertaining than most of today's generic amateur sleuth mysteries. Written in an easy to read format with helpful diagrams, this book appeared to be an interesting tale that could perhaps shine a little light on the thought processes of autistic teenagers.
   
   About halfway through the book, the dog's murderer confesses and then entire focus of the story shifted. Instead of a mystery, it became a rambling tale of running away from home. It went from engrossing to dull in the turn of a page. With the story switching gears so unexpectedly, it felt as though the book was in fact two separate stories (featuring common characters) pasted together to create a book. It felt off, like something just wasn't fitting properly.
   
   The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time's quirky uniqueness didn't translate through the second half of the book. This was a case of an amazing book turning dreary. Had the entire book been dull, it might almost have been better.



5. I really enjoyed Mark Haddon's novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. The story is about an autistic teenager, Christopher, who is obsessed with Sherlock Holmes. When he is wrongly accused of killing a neighbor's poodle, he decides to do what Sherlock would do and sets out to find the real killer. The story is told from Christopher's point of view, so the writing is simplistic and endearing. This gives the reader a look into the autistic mind. What an incredible thrill. If you are looking for an intriguing and interesting novel, look no further than this outstanding novel.

5 comments about Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems.

1. Even though my friend and I do not own a dog, we watch "Dog Whisperer" on TV. When my friend's daughter adopted a 9 month old basset hound, we purchased "Cesar's Way" for her in hopes it would help solve the wetting and chewing problems.



2. Excellent - more in-depth than just watching his show. A must-read for all dog owners!



3. his way.
   
   I'm a big Cesar fan but was worried that the book would be just publicity-type writing. However, I found it to be highly-readable and very well-structured. I suspected his co-author, Melissa Jo Peltier, deserves a lot of credit for that as Cesar has always been straight-up about his difficulty in learning and using the English language.
   
   This book clearly conveys what Cesar has taught me using his National Geographic TV show.
   
   - Exercise, discipline and THEN affection
   - The "migratory" walk is essential
   - You can fool people but you can't fool dogs
   - Dogs live in the moment.
   
   Glad to have it all in print for easy reference. Highly recommended



4. This was a wonderful book that provided me with much needed insight into the mind of my dogs. I read this book easily over a short period of time and found it to be very educational. Ceasar lets you know how to interact with your dog in a language he or she can understand. He also gives you some good advice for interacting with other people in your own life. I thought it was great and have seen a big change in myself. My dogs are doing much better as well and I feel more in control of my life. It's a good investment so pick it up!



5. Cesar, teaches you how to become a calm/assertive pack leader and correcting common dog problems. He is great in this book. I've been following his training in this book and noticed a huge improvement in my own dog. Cesar's Way is a wonderful book to own. I've learned a lot from this book and would highly recomend it to anyone who owns a dog.

5 comments about How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond.

1. great book with wonderfull information! very useful tips and wonderful guidelines for raising the perfect puppy. I have a APBT puppy and this book has really helped me raise my puppy right. So far so good!



2. I purchased it for a friend who is not too keen on reading, and a dog training book was not the preferred method of information, yet he is enjoying it. Cesar maintains the reader engaged with easy to understand wording and concepts, this book is informative and surprisingly entertaining!



3. Lots of storytelling, very basic instructions, absolutely nothing when it comes to the more challenging aspects of dog-human relationships. Since my dog didn't read the book, it's up to me to convey the information and apparently there's a communication gap (true in most relationships!). I was looking for more instruction on what to do when we (dog & I) are not successful at the basic level.
   I love Cesar, but believe there's more to the story and I didn't get it in this book.



4. This book goes in to great detail about finding the right dog for you and having the right attitude about everything from potty training to basic manners. The human needs to develop the calm mindset in order to deal with the dog.



5. Cesar has written in my opinion, the best book for a dog's 1st six month's of life in your home ever explained. This book is quite remarkable for all breeds and all puppies in particular. Your new friend for his/her life will always think you are the leader in all circumstances. This book if followed to the letter really works. Your puppy or adopted adult pet will respond, guaranteed. If your dog's breed is large and/or athletic the dog's obedience training should never begin before six month's of age (attention span) or six month's after adoption (bonding). Then true obedience training of your large and/or athletic dog should begin with leash training. There are several other methods out there to choose from RE; The Koehler Method and Monks are both excellent choices. Note: These obedience methods are best for larger breeds (working dogs) shepherds,bulldogs,rottweilers,dobermans etc.., But, buy this book for a happy well adjusted new forever pet. You will be glad you did. Goodluck!

5 comments about What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures.

1. I love Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference and Outliers. They're outstanding, compelling works. It speaks to how deeply ingrained those works are in the American consciousness to note how easily people inflect their conversations with the terms 'tipping point' and 'outlier'. I'm party to that and I hear it quite a bit from others. And though Gladwell isn't anyone's idea of a narrator from Central Casting, his quirky, breathless, enthusiastic inhabiting of his own words makes the audio version a better option for the complete Gladwellian experience.
   
   I enjoyed this compilation of his works from The New Yorker, but I'm not going to press it into people's hands like I do Outliers and Tipping Point. I liked some of the pieces, got quickly bored with some of the others. If you don't cotton to the subject of a particular piece, you're in for a tough slog because Gladwell's "delightful side excursions" (to quote one of the professional reviewers here) - while thrilling and exciting on subjects you like - can be akin to Chinese water torture on subjects you don't. So, while I listened intently on the Cezanne/Picasso piece and the Cesar Milan piece (just picking examples from my head), I used the 'next track' button on a couple of others. [I did listen to all but two of pieces in their entirety.]
   
   Fans of Malcolm Gladwell owe to themselves to buy this book. Those new to Gladwell should start with Outliers or Tipping Point.



2. A great book that has lots of fun stories! An easy book to just pick up and read a quick story. Stories vary on subjects creating a fun mix up of knowledge.



3. What the Dog Saw is simply an intriguing book. I am always one of those pre-order customers when it comes to Gladwell's books.
   
   This book is a compilation of some articles he wrote, but they somehow fit quite nicely in one cover. I read some of them already, and yet it was (again:) intriguing to read them again.
   
   I won't hold you for long, the other reviewers covered more or less everything I would say myself. Check out the preview section of the book, you'll read a paragraph or two and you would certainly want to spend some time with this book. It's worth the investment.



4. If you liked the first three books, you'll like this one, as well. It is just more classic Gladwell.



5. I just finished this book on CD version this morning and it was excellent! The title really tells very little of the book since only 2 of the 19 segments relate to dogs. I found it hard to get into Gladwell's other books like Blink, but the vast majority of this book was just very enjoyable and interesting. I am well-educated, but I frequently found myself thinking, "Wow, that is so interesting, I'll have to remember that." If you find yourself bored on a section, skip it because the next one is sure to keep your interest. If you don't read anything else, definitely read the last section on pit bull dogs and profiling. I rarely buy books, but I will definitely be buying this book for my family and friends.
   
   The biggest criticism of this book is that it is a reprint of articles that appeared in the New Yorker. Of course you're going to be less impressed if it is not new material to you, but to most readers it will be.

5 comments about The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel.

1. This book was the first in a VERY long time that has gripped me from page 1. Told by a dog, it's filled with the fun loving ridiculousness you would expect your 4 pawed friends to think about. But it also takes us down a journey of heartbreak, depression, and turmoil.
   
   It teaches us to endure and to never stop dreaming. It makes points that we could all do better to try to understand and adopt, philosophies that many of us have probably never contemplated. But it's in no way written in a ridiculous proverb form.
   
   Enzo the dog (named after Ferrari's father) has spent his life watching TV, movies, and most importantly to he and his semi-pro race driver father, car races. Even when the story gets deep, Enzo never seems to lose his fun.
   
   Do yourself a favor and read this book as soon as you possibly can!



2. What a charming story! Actually three stories in one: the world according to Enzo, the challenges and delights of racing cars, and the story of one man who is trying, against all odds, to keep his family together. Before picking up this book I had struggled with Brown's "Lost Symbol" and this book reinstated my belief that reading is a wonderful pasttime. Both the dog and his owner are admirable characters. The book celebrates the good in humans - the compassion, the caring, the love for fellow creatures and at the same time has its humorous angles, its sad aspects and its downright unpardonable situations. The ending "a l'Italiano' was like an extra dollop of whipped cream on an already delicious cake. A very enjoyable read and I will have to check out the other two books GS has already written. Bark twice if you too would give this book top rating.



3. Okay, I'm not a weepy person and I can't remember the last time a book made me cry, but I sobbed at the end of this one. I'm not particularly a dog person or a car person, but this book really captured the angst and the joy of life. A great read.



4. What a wonderful read. A simple yet profound story about two simple, yet profound beings, one a dog and one a man. Enzo is a dog any human would be blessed to have; Denny is a man we can all look up to. Great story. Sweet lessons learned. The car goes where the eyes go. Bring the tissues. See you next life.



5. 
   I just loved "The Art of Racing in the Rain". It was difficult to put down and I hated for the story to end. I really love dogs, but even if you never had a dog, or don't particularly like them, this story is much more than a story told by a dog. It affects you in positive ways, and also makes you think and ponder about life itself. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

5 comments about Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days.

1. Bought this and another in the series for my 8 year old grandson at his request. He loves this series and I see now they're making a movie with the same story line. Love it when my grandson reads!



2. I ordered the book diary of a Whimpy Kid this is a good book for children of all ages. My order was on time and was no expensive. I was very pleased



3. I am doing this review for my 11 year old son (who is dictating what I should write).
   
   "This is a good book, but not as good as the others in the series. It is funny, but doesn't have a very good story line. The ending is a little weird. But I think you should get this book if you want to complete the series."



4. Even non readers will enjoy it. My daughter likes them, yes its a good book for girls also.



5. Jeff Kinney, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (Amulet, 2009)
   
   Greg Heffley is back and wimpier than ever in this fourth installment of the wildly popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Summer is often seen as a time of whiling away the days with your friends and doing all sorts of fun things. That is, when you're an adult and looking back through nostalgic glasses. Kinney remembers what summer was really like, and gives us a faceful of it through the adventures of Greg, Rowley, and their families. While there are a few things I wish would have been tweaked (we need more Fregley!), this has been my favorite book of the series to date. Long live Greg Heffley! ****