5 comments about Life is Good!: Lessons in Joyful Living.

1. This book is one of the sweetest animal stories I have ever read. I recommend it to all animal lovers, grade school teachers, moms & dads. It shows the tender side of Dean Koontz and brings out the same in all of us. I couldn't stop laughing!



2. I read this book so often it's not even funny, and I am an adult. It captures the personality of a Golden Retriever so well! And if you don't love Goldens then you need to re-evaluate your priorities... :) This book would be good for children, I plan on reading it to my children in the future. It just captures how the little things matter, and all it takes is simple pleasures to make your life complete. You can take good advice out of some parts of it, others are just there for pure amusement.



3. This book is delightful; it is light hearted, and reminds us(people) to not be so weighed down by pressures and responsibilities we forget to take joy is the simple things.



4. These are beautiful thoughts and beautiful photographs of a very astute canine author! Well worth the time and money invested!



5. One reviewer suggested that you buy two copies because you would want to give one away....I have bought five so far. Golden Retriever lovers will want to share this delightful little book in which Trixie so perfectly interprets the wonderful Golden Philosophy. Each reader will see how easily Trixie's suggestions can be used with success in the daily lives of humans as well. This book leaves you smiling, and picking it up again and again.

No comments about Town & Country Dogs.

5 comments about Childproofing Your Dog: A Complete Guide to Preparing Your Dog for the Children in Your Life.

1. This book is a must have for parents expecting their first child with a dog in the home. We have a very hyper and loveable lab mix mut. We were concerned that he would barrel over our child and destroy her toys. This book does a good job of training the dog owner on how to behave, and has great techniques to work with the dog before bringing baby home. Our baby is now 20 months old and loves her dog. He has never chewed on her toys or given us a reason to feel uncomfortable. Not to say he isn't still hyper, he is, but he knows to avoid her. She is able to love on him, take his toys, and pet him. He behaves beautifully. He always barrels through the back door, and she gets such a kick out of it that she stands in the middle of the doorway and lets him blow past her while she giggles at him. I have recommended this book to all of my friends with dogs that are expecting a new baby.



2. The author dows a good job explaining ways to chilproof your dog and also gives many tips as to how to train your dog good habits in general. I just wish eveything was easy to execute.



3. If you already own a dog and have given them any sort of obedience training, most of this book is either irrelevant or redundant to what you probably already know. Mr. Kilcommons essentially gives you tips on how to have a well-behaved dog, then applies those lessons to having children in the house. While these are important lessons, his approach is neither unique nor revolutionary. And this is a teeny tiny book! Barely 80 pages, I read it in less than an hour, skimming much of the early sections (choosing the right dog for you, whether to adopt a puppy or an older dog etc. - chapters completely irrelevant for someone who's trying to train the dog they already HAVE rather than the one they don't own YET.) It wasn't a bad book, but there were very few tips that I will find useful in introducing our dogs to our soon-to-arrive child.



4. This is a short, easy read with good, common sense advice concerning dogs and children. The book covers how to introduce your dog to children, toddlers, babies, etc. It's worth a read for anyone who is expecting as well.



5. I thought this book was good, but not great. I liked that it had ways to introduce a dog into a family with kids, as well as introducing a new baby into the home with a dog. I felt this book was for a dog that hasn't had any, or very much formal training. My dogs are trained; I've just slacked on the follow through. Good book, just didn't work for my needs.

5 comments about Mastiff: A Comprehensive Guide to Owning and Caring for Your Dog (Kennel Club Dog Breed Series).

1. Mastiff: A Comprehensive Guide to Owning and Caring for Your Dog (Kennel Club Dog Breed Series)
   This book was very useful and informative. It is also written in a manner that is easy to follow so it was quickly to get through.



2. Informative & easy to read. Gives a detailed history on the breeds origin and characteristics. Great sections on housebreaking, everyday care and health. I loved all the color pictures!



3. This is a must have for any Mastiff Owner from the beginning owner to the seasoned breeder. It is extremely informative and Inspirational.
   We purchased this book as well as another.
   "History of The Mastiff"- Gathered From Sculpture, Pottery, Carvings, Paintings and Engravings; Also From Various Authors, With Remarks On Same, This book was "NOT" worth the purchase price.



4. This book provides a good overview of all topics related to Mastiffs. A great book for someone interested in the general history, care requirements, and peculiarities of the mastiff breed. The photos are nice, and this is a fun book to pick up and browse through. Lots of quality information can be found within, yet the breadth of information prevents a truly comprehensive approach. Still, a good value overall!



5. This book is by far the best. it gives thorough information specifically for mastiffs. it has a place for records and gets down to all the particulars about the breed!

5 comments about Getting in TTouch with Your Dog: An Easy, Gentle Way to Better Health and Behavior.

1. I have a dog with health problems, this book has a lot to offer to make her life easier. You don't have to be a Vet to use this.



2. This book has great pictures and easy to follow dialogue that explains the T Touch technique , the reason to use it and what you can expect from it. I found it easy to follow and useful for my dogs.Getting in TTouch with Your Dog: An Easy, Gentle Way to Better Health and Behavior



3. This is a simple guide book for dog owners who are interested in learning some easy hands-on techniques to help calm their pet. The information was easy to follow and my dog loves to be petted using these techniques.
   I learned the basic philosophy after reading the book once.



4. I previewed this book via the library and then opted to purchase a copy for myself. Learning T-Touch isn't something that I have done quickly but it does seem to be helping me to help my dogs relax.



5. Very useful read for anyone who has dogs.

1 comments about Positive Perspectives 2: Know Your Dog, Train Your Dog.

1. One of my biggest pet peeves is 2nd edition books that change a few minor things about the first edition and rename it "2"; this is not the case with PP 2. There are many new things that build on Positives Perspectives. I highly recommend this for anyone who is interested in using positive techniques to train their dog!

5 comments about Help for Your Shy Dog: Turning Your Terrified Dog into a Terrific Pet.

1. I just recently acquired a somewhat shy mini-dachshund and needed instruction on how to assist him in overcoming his apprehensions. Various sources on line recommended this book. I bought it, as well "Help for Your Shy Dog" by Nicole Wilde. This Deborah Wood book was a complete waste of time - no details were included on how I should proceed with my dog on anything, only just what amounted to a bunch of cheerleading (e.g., "with patience even you can do it!"). The Nicole Wilde Book, however, contains all the protocols you need to follow for virtually any kind of fear a dog might have. I highly recommend "Help for Your Shy Dog" for anyone with a shy dog, or any kind of dog for that matter. After reading Nicole Wilde's book, I am now making huge progress with my dog's apprehensions, and feel well equipped to deal with any fear that may come up in the future. The Deborah Wood book is going in the trash.



2. Okay book, a litlle disappointed since she stresses over and over training since I did that with my Ted already....many of the ideas in her book are really common sense



3. A lot of good ideas for helping a shy dog to become a great member of your pack. It helped me to realize that my rescued shy dog will get better with time and there are actions I can take to help her adjust to her new family. Thanks for the encouragement in helping me deal with my timid dog. I would reccomend this book to people who have a shy dog.



4. I'm so glad I found this book. The real-life stories she shares have helped me understand my sweet-but-fearful dog so much better. It's great to know that there is hope for helping my dog become happy and content.



5. There is a lot to like about Deborah Wood's book. She has an obvious compassion for dogs who are shy, and shares the story of her own timid dog, as well as others. Wood gives tips on how to make the shy dog's everyday life easier (for example, keeping a regular routine), and gives examples of body language that indicate fear, which is invaluable to owners. I liked the brief section on what specifically to watch for when training a shy dog, and the suggestions on games and fun activities. My only wish for this book is that it had more specific step-by-step information on what to do for shy dogs in specific situations, for example, when visitors come over, or when the dog has to visit the vet. But all in all, the book should be very helpful and encouraging to owners of shy dogs as well as those who rescue and foster dogs.
   - Nicole Wilde, author Help for Your Fearful Dog: A Step-by-Step Guide to Helping Your Dog Conquer His Fears and So You Want to be a Dog Trainer (2nd edition)

3 comments about Aggression in Dogs: Practical Management, Prevention & Behaviour Modification.

1. This is really one of the best books out there for dealing with agression. It really clears up what it is all about and what to do about it in very practical terms. It helped me see what the real issues where and gave me a number of suggestions for training against the agression. Very practical where others are not. She doesn't waste time with too much philosphy but gets straight to the issues and the training. But the true measure is in the results and I am very happy about that. We had one very confused 6 yr old boy and he's coming along terrifically--I was really worried that he would spend his days angry, confused and mean. It's a turn around--so yes, things can be done to work with aggression. Thanks Brenda Aloff.



2. This book actually has a lot of very good, practical, and very helpful information for the dog owner who wants to prevent (as I do) or treat agression problems, especially in agression-prone breeds like spaniels and some of the guarding breeds. I debated whether or not to give this book a five star rating. I settled on four stars for now because of my one "complaint" against the book -- it is a very, very COMPLICATED book to read and utilize. The author, apparently through many years of working with problem dogs, has developed a number of complex systems for treating and preventing agression problems which, while I'm sure will be useful and should work well, and just very complicated for the amateur to use. This is definitely NOT the kind of book one can read in bed when tired. It reminds me of some of my college texts -- a challenging and complicated read, and perhaps a bit on the dry side. I know that when I tried to read it recently, my mind often wandered.
   To sum it up, I would recommend the purchase of this book for the interested reader, just be prepared to sit down and devote quality time to reading the book and learning the system of training the author has put forth. Unfortunately, my life right now is just too complicated to really give this book the time it deserves. I hope in the near future to have a little more free time to carefully read the book, absorb the information, and begin to implement it with my own dog.



3. This book is terrific for owners of any dog. We actually rescued an dog-aggressive dog and actually went to Brenda Aloff for a few sessions. Her advice and exercises helped turn a stressed out little monster into my little princess. My dog isn't magically cured, but by using this book, we've taught her to look to her humans for guidance in stressful situations, instead of just attacking as she would in the past. She knows the rules and was taught them in a completely positive reinforcement manner. I highly recommend this book.

5 comments about A Good Dog: The Story of Orson, Who Changed My Life.

1. This book is a review of the self indulgent actions by a self absorbed man. He has no clue what it means to be a true dog owner. He reminds me of a child who, tiring of a toy, throws it out and cries for a new toy to satisfy the need for the new. Orson , his "soulmate" border collie is really nothing more than a toy that doesn't work very well in Katz's eyes. Rather than learn about his dog, Katz destroys him, and buys a newer, better model.
   
   Dog people love to read books about dogs. This book is not about a dog. It is about this guy Katz and his odd outlook on life. Don't buy the book. Don't fund this guy's way of life. There are enough copies being thrown away. Pick one up if you must, otherwise, there are so many great books out there... read one of those. (An example: Merle's Door by Ted Kerasote.)



2. I so loved reading this book. This' my second book my Jon Katz. A Good Dog: The Story of Orson Who Changed My Life was a book that made me giggle and also weep. His love for the much loved Orson was so touching and real. Jon Katz has become my new favorite author.
   
   I wish I could've met Orson.



3. This book is more about the self exploration and justification of tragic misdeeds by the egotistical and inconceivably selfish Jon Katz than it is about Orson... who was, by the way, a good dog that could have had a very happy, well adjusted, balanced life if he had not had the misfortune of crossing paths with this lazy, self-professing dog lover who obviously has no true love of anyone or anything but himself.
   
   Please do not waste a dime on this book. You will spare yourself the displeasure of reading this tragic, preventable (and poorly written) story. And, more importantly, you will avoid the further pocket lining of this misguided man, who if given the opportunity will forsake and exploit another innocent soul, as he did Orson.



4. Having recent thoroughly enjoyed Marley and Me, I was keen on tackling another 'journalist with difficult dog' story. But Katz and his trials with a what seems to me - as a non dog owner - an unappealing and dangerous dog do not make entertaining reading. This is a rather sad tale about Katz and his search for a new life for himself, which he attributes to his problem dog. I am not a dog owner, but I was bothered about this book. So I decided to read another of Katz's books and was surprised at how much good sense there seemed to be, compared to his actions with A Good Dog. I would never pretend to know the answers to training a dog like Orson, but I found Katz's love for this Collie rather worrying. We get the story of the endless ways he tries to train Orson. All I can say is that I am glad I didn't live next door to Katz and Orson.
   
   It's important to say this is a very well written book - Katz has an easy writing style and he takes you smoothly through the story. But there is something totally unsatisfactory about the relationship between Katz and Orson that leaves you feeling we never really got to the meat of this tale. If you need a 'man and difficult dog' story, read Marley and Me.



5. I read Katz's "Katz on Dogs" hoping to glean some useful information about handling dogs. I own a Golden Retriever and a rescued Flat Coat Retreiver mix. Both dogs are wonderful companions and live a good life in the country with little in the way of a harmful environment to worry about. About the only thing I learned is that Katz doesn't take the time to apply any of the training techniques he learns. His techniques, if you can call them that, is to throw treats at the dog. Treats have their place if you use them effectively. If not then the dog learns they mean nothing.
   
   Then I got this book. Man! I have to tell you that I wasn't ready for what I encountered. PJF is right on the money with his review (Jan 2007). I could think of a half dozen things I could have done off the top of my head to minimize the dangerous situations this animal was put in. I too bought an ATV but it wasn't to let my energetic herding animal ride with me on the seat (a very dangerous proposition in itself) but to give my very energetic 2 year old Golden the exercise he needs. He loves running across the farm fields with me and his sister and after a half hour ride/run he happily chills out for the rest of the day - usually in the pond. And thats what Orson needed, probably more than anything, exercise. Not having a natural inclination to herd sheep and therefore having no job to do, unlike Rose who did and who happily spent her days guarding the flock and the barnyard and staying out of trouble , Orson was crazy with boredom and frustration. A twice daily run behind the ATV would have probably cured most of his manic behavior problems. A walk in the woods with a half crippled old man wasn't going to cut it. And he should have known it.
   
   I was outraged and very sad at the outcome but was initially inclined to let Katz be the final judge of what he should or shouldn't do with his own dog. After reading PJF's review, it put it in perspective for me. My recommedation? Don't buy this book or any of his books. Stop funding the lifestyle of someone who doesn't really know what he's talking about. He can't teach you anything about dogs except maybe how not to raise and keep them.
   
   If you want a recommendation for a book from someone who loves dogs and does know what they are talking about (especially Border Collies and sheep herding) and can write well about it, I recommend For the Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend by Patricia McConnell. She too has to deal with sometimes out of control Border Collies and also the death of a beloved companion (from disease); but not like Jon Katz.

5 comments about Yorkshire Terriers for Dummies.

1. Solid book, but nothing I really didn't find on the internet. I guess you can either buy this book or just search online for a good hour or two on dogs and yorkies.



2. This book got a lot of great reviews and I tend to like the "Dummies" books. It did follow the traditional format the Dummy books are known for and it was informative and helpful. However, the lack of two stars are for what seemed to be the lean towards AKC snobbery. Come on, a pet Yorkie should never be bred because she isn't show quality? We are getting our Yorkie because we want her to be loved and a member of our family; but this book seemed to written for those who have an allegiance to the AKC and only own Yorkies for strutting in shows. By the way, there are other organizations to register a Yorkie with than the AKC!!
   May I recommend the Animal Planet Yorkshire Terriers book instead?.



3. This book is great. I bought it after already having Logan. I wish I would have bought it before hand. Lots of great info and they are pretty much bang on for everything they say. Please buy this book before buying your Yorkie... it does make life easier.



4. This book really helped me decide if I wanted to get a Yorkie. I felt it didn't sugar coat them and made them feel real.



5. I cannot believe there is no chapter on biting as a puppy. It is a thoroughly obnoxious habit--thought this book would have had some words of wisdom.