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

1. This book was recommended to me by a coworker who was a longtime dog owner. What impressed me was that he didn't suggest any other books, just this one.
   
   Now, eight years later, I understand why. I read the book shortly after adopting my dog (a 7-year-old GSD rescue), and also took the owner's training course at the SPCA. The book prepared me for the course, and the 5-week course was primarily the hands-on phase of what the book explained.
   
   So why just the one book? Simply put, I would say that the New Skeet monks have covered in their book as much as I'm able to retain and implement. Beyond that, and I risk confusing myself and my dog.
   
   This book has helped me focus on the 4 or 5 important things to always do, and another 4 or 5 things to never do. And this focus has worked out very well.
   
   My dog is not a working dog, nor a show dog, but as my pet, she seems happy and healthy, and we groove with her very well.



2. Top notch training manual. Saw immediate results on my high energy chocolate lab.
   Very concise, to the point type of instructions.



3. The Monks of New Skete have written an excellent book for new owners. It is very informative and easy to understand. I highly recommend it .



4. I am about 1/3 of the way through this book and although I have Xoloitzcuintli, not a German Shepherd - the Monk's words hold true. This book is for any and every dog owner. Whether you have a new puppy or an older dog, you will see your pet in these pages.



5. I seller actually gave me money back because they did not believe the book was in as good of condition as advertised on Amazon. How do you complain with that. I received the book in a few days from the seller and it was in good condition.

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

1. We bought this book to help potty train our new Golden Retriever puppy, Sadie Rose. If you're already familiar with housebreaking a dog, the book doesn't contain anything new. Simply control the puppy's eating and drinking schedule, and take him/her outside every hour to the same spot. The advice in the book is fine, please don't misunderstand. But it is a very tiny book, and the info can be readily found for free all over the web. This book would be fine for a couple dollars, but not for $7.99.
   
   Please be kind enough to indicate if reviews are helpful.



2. The book was received in a timely manner. It was in good condition and it was very informative with good tips.



3. How To Housebreak Your Dog In 7 Days is a simple, easy to follow guide that will help train your puppy (or adult dog) to go outside to potty. It also explains training your dog to use papers or potty pads, if taking your dog outside isn't a viable option. I especially agreed with the author's method of "praise, not punishment"in training. This book explains the behavioral instincts of dogs, which lets the owner understand why this training method is effective. How To Housebreak Your Dog In 7 Days has training schedules for dog owners who are home all day as well as those dog owners who work outside the home. This book is a great tool for all dog owners who need housebreaking advice.



4. Our new puppy will be arriving in about 2 weeks and Ive been really anxious about housebreaking. I had no clue how to do it.
   
   This book is very SHORT and very CLEAR and I now have complete confidence that we will be fine. It all made perfect sense and with some discipline on OUR part, it shouldn't be a problem. We just need to keep up our end of the bargain and then the dog should have no problem at all!



5. Be sure to understand that this method relies on being able to confine the dog to a crate or area for a few hours at a time throughout the process, without fail. If your dog will not accept this it will be difficult to follow this system. Our pup is fine at night or if we're out of the house but if anyone is home, he's very vocal about not wanting to stay in his crate for that long. Not what the neighbors want to hear.
   The second factor is the length and nature of previous experiences the dog has had. We learned after the fact that although from a private home, our puppy spent most of his life in a very large puppy crate with his littermates for the first 4 1/2 months. When they relieved themselves, it fell down into an area several inches away. Even using the smallest crate that would be humane hasn't discouraged him from relieving himself while inside. (The vet has checked everything, he's physically fine)
   We've had and easily trained several dogs in the past. In every case, they were much younger and no one was home all the time. Basically this was the method we used and it will work. Just be sure to realize what is involved.

5 comments about The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs.

1. I recently adopted my first dog and ever since have been reading books on dog behavior and training. So far this book is one of my favorites along withReaching the Animal Mind: Clicker Training and What It Teaches Us About All Animals. I tend to like books that do not just tell you what to do with your animal but explain the biology and psychology behind why that is the right way to do things.
   
   This is done very well in this book. The one difference between it and so many dog training books I have read is it talks not just about animal behavior but also about human behavior and how the way act and how we are wired affects the response we get from our dogs. She uses both personal antedotes from her vast experience as an animal behaviorist as well as hard science to craft her story and the result is very effective. It is credible and well researched while still being approachable and entertaining. I think she also did a good job of pointing out the things that we humans tend to do wrong in dog training without being preachy and putting the reader on the defensive. She is quick to use examples of mistakes she herself has made, which made me more excepting of her suggestions.
   
   The only area the book is a little light is on the recommended actions owners should take as a result of these learnigns. She does provide some suggestions but even more would be appreciated. They can also be a little buried within the narrative so if you are ONLY seeking out this information you may find the book inconvenient or lacking. I did think though that the tips she had were spot on and reflective of what has worked well for me in dog training as well as some things I had hoped to try. The book is also very focused on positive reinforcement as a means of training. This is my preferred method, but if you prefer more force or discipline you won't find it here.
   
   Overall, I think this is a great book. I love that she has expanded the conversation to talk about the influence of human behavior on dog training and the owner dog relationship. I definitely learned a lot and enjoyed the process of reading the book. Thanks to her I feel like I am going to continue to learn more about my dog.



2. I got some good information I could use so that was favorable. I was hoping for more training help rather than background (comparing humans to apes) vs. dogs. This is not a criticism but rather it was boring.



3. A wonderful book for anyone wishing to learn more about dog behavior. Your dog will be better off if you read this book and practice what she recommends. Worth the price.



4. I picked up Patricia B. McConnell Ph.D's book The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs after my dog training mentor recommended it to me with the review of "you'll look at dogs completely different after reading this." She was right. This book is phenomenal.
   
   Whereas a lot of dog books talk about how to train our canine companions and give training advice, 'The Other End of the Leash' compares and contrasts how humans and dogs interact with their own species and with each other. As McConnell points out, as humans part of the primate family, we're so ingrained with certain behaviors that we easily forget that what we find to be socially acceptable isn't the same in the dog world. McConnell clearly illustrates all the similarities and differences and where we,, as humans go wrong when interacting with our dogs. And she does all this in a reader-friendly way, mixing in anecdotes with scientific research. It's a fast read and an informative read.
   
   This isn't a "how to train your dog" book but a "how to understand your dog better" book. She explains how dogs are expert body language readers, why rough primate play can cause trouble when we do it with dogs, how to get your dog to come to you when called, translating "primate speak" to "dog speak" and much more. How many times have we bent down and said "Come Fluffy. Come Fluffy. Come Fluffy." only to have Fluffy stare at you awkwardly, or repeat "sit" a hundred times, each verbal command getting louder than the last with no results? McConnell explains why and how we can communicate better with our pups.
   
   My favorite section of the book is her chapter on dominance and how social status relates to the behavior of both humans and dogs. This topic of dominance and being "alpha" definitely wins the Inigo Montoya's "You keep using that word. I don't think it means what you think it means" Award, and trainers and owners a like will benefit from reading the chapter. McConnell explains why dogs prefer a benevolent leader over a status seeking "alpha-wananbe" and why "getting dominant" over your pup can make things worse.
   
   If you really want to understand your dog better -- and when we expect our pups to understand English, we should take the time to understand them -- pick up 'The Other End of the Leash.' You, and your dog, will be glad you did.



5. The other day, my boyfriends rottweiler-mix came inside, thrilled after just rolling around in the snow. He barked happily and dropped a piece of his own frozen poo on my kitchen floor with the happiest expression on his face. I looked at him, mortified, and said, "dog, what the HELL are you thinking?" Friends, if you have ever had a moment like this one, then this is a great book for you to read.
   
   I have always had an interest in dogs and dog behavior-- my parents had hunting dogs growing up, and we experimented a lot with different training methods. Over the years, we used some very good methods but some very ineffective ones as well. I am finally ready to get my own puppy, and while looking over some books I stumbled across this one.
   
   It is important to note, this book is not a training manual. The author offers advice, tips and tricks but it will not replace a good obedience class. This book is a study of dog and human behavior. It explains in a very academic way, why we do the things we do and how dogs perceive us. It explains very clearly how we can better understand canine and human behavior to better communicate with our dogs. It is very academic, complete with references and foot notes. I found it to be well organized and easy to understand.
   
   I also very much enjoyed the personal stories the author included. A dog trainer and animal behaviorist, her years of experience with her dogs offer invaluable advice for fellow dog owners. Without her anecdotes of her own dogs and the dogs she has worked with in classes, the book could have been a little boring. Instead, I found it to be informational as well as personal and funny.
   
   I plan to go back and reread the book, highlighting the training advice and taking notes. This may seem to be a lot of work to some, who want everything laid out for them, but this author is clearly a great teacher, and I think the advice in this book is well worth a second, third and fourth read.

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

1. This book is inspiring. Turrid was a dog whisperer before Cesear M. The book helped with my greyhound who became other dog aggressive. Helped me to adapt my behaviors in simple and easy ways. I also have her video, so neat to see her in action.



2. I have been training for awhile but loved this book! It showed me so much, now I can look at a dog and know what they are thinking. Everyone should read this book it will open their eyes!



3. really made me take a second look at all of the dogs in my life. I also realized that I humanized my dog's emotions, when instead he was using his inherited language to calm me.



4. This book taught a seasoned dog owner some new tricks and gave me insight into my dog's behavior via his actions. I highly recommend the book!



5. I have also attended a seminar given by the author. The book is extremely insightful into dog behavior and how we can use this information to help us understand the behavior of dogs and make us better companions for our animals. Please see other titles written by this author as well.

5 comments about It's Me or the Dog: How to Have the Perfect Pet.

1. This book was a gift to my grown daughter. She and her husband had just rescued an 11 month old puppy that needed a lot of help. She loves the book, refers to it daily and found it to be very helpful. We love Victoria on her show and I was glad I purchased this book.



2. Well, what can I say? Victoria has it down when it comes to our canine friends!
   
   This book was full of informative and useful information, VERY easy reading and wasn't boring. She was direct and to the point on instructions for training and didn't bog down on flowery wording. I was having some training issues with my Lab and after reading Vitoria's suggestions on correcting the problems...everything worked! and I think my dog is much happier as am I knowing we've overcome some issues and now it really is Me AND the Dog!
   
   A great book to keep on hand to refer back to and re-read from time to time. A lot of information about dog language that was very interesting that I'd like to take another look at. I look at my dog in a very different way now.
   
   I loved watching "It's Me or the Dog" and why I chose Victoria's book. I wasn't disappointed!



3. Anyone looking for a book that gives training and behavior guides should be looking to purchase this one! Victoria Stilwell explains the benefits of positive training methods and why they work. The book is an easy read and has plenty of illustrations.



4. I'm hooked on the show and the book. We keep in our coffee table so our guests ask about the training. It helps having them ask, then we can do the training without bringing it up ourselves. We didn't have problem dogs or anything like that, we just love the way she brings the info to the table and teached you about dogs rather than just training you how to do things... you learn the why behind the actions and that makes "training" that much easier. I think this is awesome, even for someone who's had around all their life.



5. THis book os good for people who are dealing with learned behavior in dogs tat can be changed to help the home situation with the dog be more workable. often this is why dogs are given to shelters and not kept at home, this book can help save them from theshelter or help train a shelter dog.Autumn of Blessed Acres service dog

5 comments about The Art of Raising a Puppy.

1. This is THE book to read to understand puppyhood. I have read many of the books written by the training monks and clearly recommend not missing out on this book before you bring a puppy home.



2. This superb book provided me a factual, no-nonsense understanding of how to raise my new puppy.
   I have been a one-dog person for all of my life, so it had been sixteen years since I last had a puppy in the house. This book provided a clear and concise groundwork for understanding the process of raising a dog from my perspective and, more importantly, from the perspective of my dog. It is highly recommended for both the novice dog owner and for people who are faced with the responsibility of raising a dog who may not have done it recently enough to remember what is required.



3. I ordered this book upon the advice of our breeder when the puppies were about 2 weeks old. No one is really thinking about serious training when there is still another 6-8 weeks before you receive your newest family member. This book was wonderful. The authors used real dogs and puppies as examples to explain their training techniques. It was well written and easy to understand. Even though we had raised puppies in the past, it had been some time since we'd had a new pup. The content was extremely informative and insightful as to what a dog may be thinking or experiencing. Every time you think, oh-I know all about that, this book could prove you wrong! Even if you only learned a few new things from this book ,it would be worth it to review what goes on inside the mind of a puppy and what can I do to make him the best he can be.



4. Everything from the pregnant bitch to training your puppy is discussed here. Explanations of how you should treat your puppy from the moment you take him home. If you want a well behaved happy dog you need to start here. This book is the best. I read it in one weekend to know what to expect before my puppy comes home and what to do to make his entry into our household pleasant for us as well as for him. Anyone thinking of getting a dog should start with reading this book. An excellent read.



5. I knew about the Monks of New Skete for many years. This one is really special and I believe many people will benefit from this edition as i have for so long. They are personable and will answer many of your questions with the text, the choosing a pup section is incredibly real. Choosing a puppy is one of the major decisions of your life. I love my dog and they really helped me with discipline in a relaxed manner by disciplining me to keep the dog's schedule and the edition of a doggy door made housebreaking easy. I have used their methods for both large and small dogs and I believe that the method works. This book makes a difference in the person's life and their dog's life.I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a dog.Autumn of Blessed Acres service dog

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 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 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!