2 comments about Bulldog (Kennel Club Dog Breed Series).

1. Bulldog (Kennel Club Dog Breed Series)
   This is an excellent buy. Definitely to be HIGHLY recommended



2. The cover picture alone would be reason enough to buy this book. The book itself, though, is a very good manual for bulldog owners and has lots of other pictures scattered throughout. A very good purchase.

5 comments about Best Way to Train Your Gun Dog: The Delmar Smith Method.

1. Being new to bird dog training I must say that this book is a MUST READ.
   If you follow Delmar's methods to the tee or not, it gives a great insight into a dogs mind. Delmar also gives a little insight into the human mind as well. If you want to train a bird dog, Buy this book!!!



2. The Delmar smith methed is a great way to train a hunting bird dog. One of the best things about this book is knowing what is important to your bird dog. Nine out of ten people now days will tell you to start training on birds before pups learn to run. Not Delmar. If you let them be a pup for the first year you will have twice the dog you would have had!! Very informational. Think like a dog to train a dog...



3. I used this book 20 years ago to train a Brittany and have now purchased it again for a new dog. The methods and advice are not only unique to Delmar but also highly effective. Not to mention a humorous read.



4. This is my first time owning and training a gun dog. I purchased and read this book before I bought my puppy. I was skeptical but Delmar's methods DO work. This book set the basis for what others would try to teach me later-- and I was able to share information with them as well. My dog performed at an early age as a result of Delmar's advice. You have to be able to go along with the writing style -- which I found quite humorous and much more fun to read than a text book. A great addition to any library!

   _little girl with big dog




5. The real strength of this book is that it gets you in the right mindset for gun dog training. The techniques are simple yet ingenious. I've used most of them and built my training foundation around Delmar Smith's principles.

   Buy this book and several others. See a professional trainer. There's no harm in educating yourself.

5 comments about I & Dog.

1. You have only to peruse the pages of this book to understand why it is possible to fall in love with a dog. The pages are simple, sensitive pictures and comment on the human/dog relationship. I have just gotten my first dog, or she has gotten me, and I will never be without one again:)



2. This book is full of wonderful images, clear and heartwarming.
   The genuine love and dedication that the Monks have to these dogs, is clearly demonstrated by the expression on all the faces.
   With insightful phrases and these wonderful pictures, this book is a gem to own.



3. This is a lovely picture book with wonderful inspiring bits of writing interspersed which showcases the outstanding work the monks are doing with their dogs. However, those seeking hard-core how-to info on dog training will benefit more from the monks' other books: "How to be your Dog's Best Friend" and "The Art of Raising a Puppy."



4. This book, "I & Dog", makes one aware of the special relationship between dog and man. The pictures are fantastic and the tidbits of understanding are insightful. Investigating these photographs and contemplating these prose leads one to the realization that man is the one getting the lions share out of these relationships. This is a "warm and fuzzy" book. It just makes you feel good.



5. It seems the Monks of New Skete can do no wrong when it comes to writing great books. This book is of the inspirational variety, and contains some very thought provoking statements. I found myself thinking "duh; that is 100% true! Why didn't I think of it like that?" The photography is excellent also. Some very true words of wisdom can be found in the pages of I & Dog.

5 comments about Top Dog Sales Secrets: 50 Top Experts Show You Proven Ways to Skyrocket Your Sales.

1. Top Dog Sales Secrets. 50 experts show you proven ways to skyrocket your sales. Michael Dalton Johnston ed. 2007. ISBN 9781934346143. I have really taken my time reading this book. It looks at the sales process after you gain the lead, so it is planted squarely into sales efficiency. How ever some of the treatments of qualifying a lead, are very appropriate in our sales effectiveness model. For my money, if you are in sales today this is one book you need at your side. The experts are truly expert. One book with insight from:
   
   Tony Alessandra, Jim Domanski. Dan Kosch, Mark S.A Smith, Bob Bly, Colleen Francis, Tina LoSasso,Art Sobczak ,
   John Boe,Tom Freese, James Maduk, Dave Stein, Dianna Booher, Patricia Fripp, Jim Meisenheimer,Bill Stinnett, Ed Brodow, Ari Galper, Michelle Nichols, Joel Sussman, Bill Brooks, Joe Guertin, Rick Phllips, Julie Thomas,Jon Brooks, Joe Heller, Tom Reilly, Will Turner, Shamus Brown, Craig James, Tom Richard, Al Uszynski, Bill Caskey, Brian Jeffrey,Llinda Richardson, Steve Waterhouse, Tim Connor, Michael D. Johnson, Keith Rosen, Wendy Weiss, Kevin Davis, Dave Kahle, Mike Schultz, Roger Dawson, Ron Karr, Jacques Werth, Jill Konrath, Anita Sirianni .
   
   One example from Jim Domanski:
   
   Prospect: "Hmmmm. Let me think about it."
   
   Rep: "I understand completely. If l were in your shoes I'd want to think about it as well. Now ask one of the following questions:
   
   * "May I ask what concerns you still have?"
   * "May 1 ask what's causing you to hesitate?"
   * "May I ask what questions I've left unanswered?"
   * "May I ask what your final decision will be based on?"
   
   Get this book. Do not wait. Then read it. Sales advice you can take to the bank.



2. This isn't your typical sales book. It is a collection of authors writing on various topics, not a selling system or sales `program' such as Strategic Selling or SPIN Selling. The authors are excellent writers and the information is current. I found the tone to be enthusiastic, humorous and easy to read. It's a good book to read when you only have snippets of time and can't get involved with a long read or concept. Each article has nuggets of wisdom in it and every article is written by a proven sales pro who has been in our shoes, not an academic or manager from some ivory tower.
   
   The down side is the books organization. It isn't divided into sections such as prospecting, qualifying, closing, etc. While the book contains multiple articles on each subject they are intermingled throughout, like a newspaper that continues a story inside to force you to go through the entire paper. This is a great airplane or waiting room read. I find myself rereading many of the articles several times, going back to important ideas and quotes. After you read this book you can get more information by reading the various authors books.



3. So many of these types of sales success books put out the same old stuff that we've all heard before. Top Dog Sales Secrets was refreshingly different packed with ton's of original material, mixed in with some "tried and true" ideas that we sales veterans tend to forget or overlook after many years in the field.
   
   It doesnt matter if you are a sales veteran or a rookie, Top Dog Sales Secrets has something for you. PS: Everything from Dave Kale is solid gold and will put money in your pocket if you read and follow it!!!!



4. The SalesDog.com team has pulled together an excellent book filled with articles from top sales experts in the field today. My favorites* include:
   
   - Creating a Successful Cold Script, by Wendy Weiss
   
   - Transforming Customer Complacency into Urgency, by Mike Schultz
   
   - Help - I'm Talking and I Can't Shut Up, by Michelle Nichols
   
   - Success is an Inside Job, by Bill Caskey
   
   - Winning the Negotiation Game, by Colleen Francis
   
   The book is organized by sales challenges such as cold calling, presentations, proving value and handling objections. So if you're having trouble in one area, just turn to the specific section and get great advice from a variety of experts.
   
   [...]
   
   P.S. I'm also a bit partial to my five articles which were selected to be in the book too!



5. As a contributing author to this book, I was pleased to be included with such an accomplished group of sales experts.
   
   If you're looking for just one sales book this year, Top Dog Sales Secrets is it. This book provides a fantastic way for anybody in a sales related field to gain expert advice from 50 different sales professionals. No matter what area of sales you may need help with (prospecting, cold calling, phone skills, presenting, negotiating, closing, etc...) this book has the answers.
   
   Easy to read and understand you'll be referring to this book whenever you encounter a sales challenge.
   
   Enjoy and happy selling.
   
   Jon Brooks
   Brooks Dreyfus Consulting
   www.brooksdreyfus.com

5 comments about Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home: And Other Unexplained Powers of Animals.

1. Sheldrake makes scientific inquiry not just adventurous and rigorous, but also playful and friendly. His experiments are designed to involve many people in testing theory after theory to account for animal behavior. How do pets know when the vet is coming? How do animals anticipate earthquakes? How do they know to give up waiting by the door, when their owners change plans and postpone coming home?
   
   Sheldrake's experiments, surveys and documentation always prove entertaining. With Sheldrake, science becomes a community experience, open to all who are curious and willing to put their minds together.



2. In "Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home" Rupert Sheldrake continues his quest for acknowledgement of phenomena neglected, forgotten or brushed aside by modern science. This time he focuses on the unexplained powers of animals.
   Starting with the observations of pets, through behavior of wild animals, to humans, Sheldrake examines the connections and bonds between living creatures, which lead them to feel each other's emotional and physical state.
   
   Probably all pet owners and people fond of animals have observed that some animals demonstrate behaviors that cannot be explained by genes or instinct (or, that would be too much simplified by such explanation). Wondering, how the pets know, when their owners are coming home, when some accident or death occurred, how to find a way home from an unfamiliar place even far away, when the owner intends to give them food or go for a walk, or how to recognize an attack of an illness such as diabetic coma or epileptic seizure, or even the natural disasters, like storm or earthquake, probably happened to all pet owners some time or another - and most of the time these thoughts were probably bagatelized and quickly forgotten in the face of more important everyday events.
   
   The book is very well ordered and organized, very much like a scientific publication. After a short, introductory chapter, summarizing the history of animal domestication, Rupert Sheldrake presents the data gathered during his systematic studies, mostly through surveys in different parts of United States and Europe. The data consists of examples of pets, which exhibited behaviors described above, collected and analyzed in impressive amounts (even with statistics). Not only does he report accounts from the owners of dogs and cats, but also gives examples of horses, rabbits, birds and fish, and negative examples of pet reptiles and insects. He proceeds from these examples to the flocking and migratory behaviors of the wild animals (the linking behavior is the return home) and compares the findings to the human abilities, which, in the contemporary, civilized world, seem ridiculously meager.
   
   The main body of the book consists of these examples and this is its strength (as a scientific argument) and weakness (as a popular book, because the lengthy lists of examples can be boring). The conclusions, however, are not very strong. Sheldrake applies here his famous hypothesis of morphic fields, which, in analogy to magnetic and electrical fields, are created by forces - yet undescribed -which are, in turn, created by social influence between individuals. The existence of morphic fields is an interesting hypothesis, but only a hypothesis. Luckily, Sheldrake admits it himself and does not push his hypothesis as a theory or as a universal truth, like some gurus of fashionable, popular "science" books. I have to give him great credit for being a scientist even though what he does is beyond the scope of contemporary science. The same goes for his explanations of animal behaviors by their ability to precognize certain events or by telepathy. Telepathy, or mind-to-mind-communication, seems especially plausible as an explanation of pets knowing their owners intentions before the owner can communicate them in any other way (body language, any sensory signal). Although telepathy is obviously his favorite explanation of communication between pets and owners, between animals in the group, and, almost lost, between humans, Sheldrake does not give it as the only explanation. He always tries to show other ones and, giving arguments for and against each one (sometimes, admittedly, not very strong) dismisses them or not. His approach reminds me very strongly of the approach of psychologists, which very often are vague as well. That is perhaps why I liked the chapters on the migratory birds most, maybe, because, as a biologist, I see most of the ecological and "harder science" in it?
   
   At the end of the book, the methods for investigation of pet behavior are presented, so that the interested readers can try their own experiments, which are very simple and do not require much skill - only perseverance.
   
   I like Sheldrake for pursuing his goal of presenting to the non-scientific crowd of readers the alternative or once studies, but today neglected, scientific questions, without cheap trick or want for fame. He is doing his job and I admire his work, even though I have my doubts about it. I don't think this book was supposed to convince anybody of anything (as some previous reviews suggest), it rather intends to puzzle and ask questions, making the reader realize they cannot be unequivocally answered with the current state of knowledge. This book is not his best (some are really great), mainly because of endless lists of examples, but it is good and solid.



3. Starts with many natural case histories for psychic pets, then describes his brilliantly simple experiment. I interviewed Dr. Sheldrake on my Skeptiko Podcast. He's extremely well-spoken and likeable.



4. Some dogs seem to know when their owners are coming home. No, not when they are walking up the front steps, but when they are still at the office DECIDING to come home. Some animals know when their owners are in distress or dying, far away. Some animals know when their owners are about to have a seizure, or attempt suicide.
   
   Author Rupert Sheldrake has compiled a database of hundreds of fascinating anecdotal reports, supplemented by simple but clever research studies. He challenges us to consider these unusual but intriguing phenomena, that do not depend on physical distance or any known sensory pathways. He has a healthy respect for scientific method (and uses it when he can) but none at all for scientific dogmatism. To skeptics who discount these remarkable observations as mere "selective recall," he says, do the research and prove it.
   
   This is a fascinating and well-written book. It was hard to put down, and in fact, I may read it again. To be sure, Sheldrake can't explain the phenomena he describes. He invokes the concept of morphic fields but can't really tell us what they are. Further research is needed, and, to his credit, Sheldrake is attempting to recruit people all over the world, to participate in just such research. Why, even you could participate. I recommend this book highly. Run out and buy it today. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber.



5. This book was well-written, engaging, and thought provoking. The research was very well done, and I am usually quite skeptical. But this opened up a whole line of thought of how our minds may work, for me. I definately recommend it.

3 comments about Training Your Pit Bull (Training Your Dog Series).

1. Excellent item... however it does not state what is the best age to start your training. So far i think i have a good buy



2. I bought this book AFTER I got a pitbull. The book even teaches you how to choose a pitbull, so a small part of it was not useful for me. I didn't finish it yet, I bought it recently, but I must say I already learned a lot from it. Stuff normal people told me to do, were not allowed. Like putting my dog with its nose in its "dirt" if he does it on the carpet, or playing tug of war with it. Well, A LOT! I truly recommend it.



3. I was able to follow the instructions for the training in this book step by step. I have been training my dogs in a more old fashion way. But my dogs and I seem to enjoy the fun and results. I have 5 Pit bulls they learn quickly already had the Basics down, but now im getting into the cool tricks and the dogs get a treat now I didn't give one before. I rate this book 4 out of 5 its a must read.

5 comments about Stop the Shots!: Are Vaccinations Killing Our Pets?.

1. Most pet owners don't know the harm they are doing by vaccinating their pets yearly. They are putting their pets in danger rather than helping them stay healthy. Read this book before giving your dog another vaccine! And find a vet that supports your decision not to vaccinate and a vet who will do titers.



2. Despite its title, Stop the Shots!: Are Vaccinations Killing Our Pets? does not advocate stopping all pet vaccinations, and especially does not recommend stopping all vaccinations that protect from the most widespread and deadly infections like rabies, parvovirus and canine distemper for dogs, and panleukopenia and rhinotracheitis/calcivirus for cats. Yet award-finalist author and pet lover John Clifton logically and rationally argues against so-called conventional wisdom, such as vaccinating against diseases that pets will never be exposed to (like Lyme disease for a pet that does not live in or won't travel to an area infested with it) or the use of annual booster shots. Chapters discuss how vaccines work, the health detriments to over-vaccination such as increased risk of pet cancer or curtailment of the pet's immune system's ability to naturally fight off diseases, factors to keep in mind when deciding when the proper time is for a booster shot, and much more. Enthusiastically recommended for animal owners and would-be owners as an informative aid to decide the right amount of vaccines to protect one's pet and keep it as healthy as possible.



3. An easy to read,informative book that should be compulsory reading for all pet owners.



4. A must read!!! This book doesn't take sides, it just presents the facts. I recommend it to any pet owners wanting to make informed decisions concerning the health and well-being of their pets. I've already passed it on.



5. This book is a MUST read!
   I had the pleasure of being a vet tech for seven years under an "old school" veternarian who NEVER PUSHED UNNEEDED VACCINES. Unfortunatley, when he retired I was left to work for his two "new school" collegues who pushed vaccines, experimental medications/anesthetics, used brute force instead of psychology.
   I was in the front line when injection-site sarcomas were being tracked by the AAHA (right rear rabies!)...I've seen animals "crash" after vaccines (especially cats and ferrets). I've also seen how "old" vets treated vaccines (prevention) and how "new" vets now treat vaccines ($$- it's a business). Sad. Very Sad.
   READ THIS BOOK...while it's not a pedagogical text on immunology and vaccines, it is an easy read for the non-technical that has a great reference section and will provide the caring pet owner with food for thought.

5 comments about The Ultimate Pet Food Guide: Everything You Need to Know about Feeding Your Dog or Cat.

1. I have tried some of the meals and gotten a lot of great ideas . My girls were already eating cooked chicken, this gives them some variety.



2. I found the information in Ms. Palika's book has helped me a lot in looking at the labels of my cat's and my dog's foods. I appreciate the recipes for home made diets, both raw and cooked, but I don't cook that much for myself. But at least after reading this book I understand what to look for when buying a commercial food--and I even found a safe, easy to feed raw food brand for my pets. Thanks!



3. This book presents an easily understandable, yet comprehensive review of the options available to feed your pet. The book covers the complete range of pet foods, from kibble you can get at almost any store, through specialized dehydrated natural pet foods, and finally to raw or cooked foods you can prepare at home (too much effort for me!) Being a dedicated dog owner, I focused on that part of the book, although there is also lots of information on cat foods.
   
   Although the book provides a few examples of good and bad pet foods, its real value is that it taught me how to become an educated pet owner, so that I can provide my dogs with healthy meals that meet their nutritional needs. Understanding the nutritional needs of dogs is not obvious to the typical consumer - for example, it turns out that there is "good" kibble and "bad" kibble. Good kibble tries to mimic what dogs and wolves evolved to eat in the wild, while bad kibble mostly consists of grains and whatever meat byproducts that pet food conglomerates can put together at a cheap price. (You don't often see wolves, which are closely related to dogs, out cooking up a batch of rice or wheat for dinner....) I found this book to be a tremendous source of information on this subject. As another example, ground corn (the first ingredient in some dog foods) includes the entire ear of corn - not just the corn kernels, but also the corn cob, all ground up together. Yuck - but it's a lot cheaper than meat! Care to guess how much of that ingredient nourishes your best friend and how much passes straight through, for you to clean up later?
   
   In summary, this book really makes you think about what you are feeding your pet, and gives you the information to make better decisions. As Ms. Palika writes, the old adage that states "we are what we eat" also applies to our pets. Taking the time to understand that can pay benefits in healthier pets that are likely to live happier, longer lives. Highly recommended.



4. This is a great reference book on what to feed your dog or cat, with a balance of information on all types of food. There are so many choices in pet food out there and so much mis-leading information about commercial dog food - especially some of the so-called premium foods. This book really brings it all together from homemade food, to what to look for in commercial food, and advice on supplements. I really appreciated her candid commentary and help in sorting through the options. She doesn't present a bias towards any one method or brand, but it nice to not feel guilty about feeding "homemade" food.



5. I found this book to be a comprehensive guide for food choices for both dogs and cats. I have both. The book is written in language that takes a broad subject and distills it to its most important aspects. Considering my scientific knowledged is limited, Ms. Palika took complicated data and presented it in a completely understandable manner. I would recommend this book to anyone concerned for the health of thier pet.

5 comments about The Whelping and Rearing of Puppies: A Complete and Practical Guide.

1. I give this book 5 stars although I have found no book with a much needed "fact chart". I find myself going back through sections over and over again, trying to find out when they hear, etc. I have created my own notes and fact sheet for next time. Having known absolutely nothing, this book is GREAT and I highly recommend it. I always read the negative reviews on books first...I must say I did not find the author remiss with the chapter on sickly puppies. It has to be mentioned and fore armed prepares you. I found myself trusting my instincts and our one little puppy is doing so well at age 2 weeks. With only one in the litter I was a little concerned about delivery of a large puppy and losing our one and only. This book gave a lot of information about the birth and I felt confident in being able to step up and assist our [...] with anything. Turns out I was not needed at all. Reading this book was definitely an asset. Highly recommended!



2. This is a very well planned book. There are numerous examples and references to other breeders and the experiences they have had. This book is a very valuable assett to anyone having puppies or even thinking about it.



3. I thought this book was very helpfull for us, we had our first litter of puppies and reading this book it helped me to see and know what might happen when the puppies come...and the materical I might need for the birthing . Everything went well ..



4. The only thing I can say that this book is missing is the information you may need when you are "tying" your dogs. This is just as important a process to know about as welping. Otherwise this is a great purchase!



5. good, easy to read book for the first timers. Book arrived Saturday morning, puppies arrived Saturday afternoon. I've been around dogs all my life but this is the first litter we have ever assisted in the delivery and the book does a very good job explaining what to do throughout the birth and the different stages of the puppies first 8 weeks. I would definitely recommend this book as did my vet to me.

5 comments about The Dog Trainer's Resource: The APDT Chronicle of the Dog Collection.

1. I am really enjoying this book. It's chock full of good information for Dog Trainers!!



2. I found this collection of articles by experts to be extremely valuable. It covers the scientific aspects of animal learning and discusses the many approaches to training and running businesses related to pet training. Worth its weight in gold.



3. Editor Mychelle Blake has done an excellent job of assembling a variety of articles that contain information that is valuable to dog trainers at all levels of experience. The book is nicely organized, divided into sections by topic. Each topic boasts a variety of articles, some more philosophical, some more "hands on." For example, the section titled "Dog Behavior, Training and Modification" contains both a thoughtful article by Dr. Ian Dunbar on the eight criteria for effectively using punishment, along with "Assessing the Alpha Roll" by Terry Ryan; it also contains an article by Emily Keegans that offers concrete suggestions for environmental enrichment.
   
   It is a testament to the wide scope of experience of the authors (as well as the good judgment of the editor) that articles are included that might be outside the average trainer's educational sphere. For example, an article by Dan McNally discusses protection trained dogs, while Jim Barry suggests positive methods for training hunting/retrievers. I found both of these articles fascinating. There is much "how to" to be found in the section on class tips and curriculum, and an entire section devoted to working with shelter dogs. The section on the business aspects of dog training is something that every trainer should read.
   
   All things considered, this book is a great educational value and one that should be on the shelf of all current and aspiring trainers.
   - Nicole Wilde, author So You Want to be a Dog Trainer (2nd edition) and Help for Your Fearful Dog: A Step-by-Step Guide to Helping Your Dog Conquer His Fears



4. I'm not an APDT member but I have seen a few of the articles posted
   elsewhere. This is a collection of their 'keepers' in print form.
   Mycelle Blake is the editor of the book.
   
   I found the book interesting but kept having the one reoccuring
   thought - were the authors checked before the article was put in the
   book if their thoughts had changed in any way from their original
   article? I know that permission to print them in this format had to
   have been obtained so contact with each had to occur. Not every
   article needed something along these lines. The other thought that
   comes to mind is when would you draw the line to say 'check to see if
   they still feel this way?' Some of the articles go back to 2000 but
   there are one or two as current as 2006.
   
   For example, is Trish King still using abandonment training in
   dealing with dog-dog aggression? p. 127 "Dog-Dog Aggression and
   Abandonment Training, July/August 2002. After using it for a while
   has she changed her thoughts on using it or its effectiveness in
   dealing with dog-dog training?
   
   Or another example, is Joan Guertin still usin a "levels" class
   system? 'The "Levels" System: Adavance-at-Your-Own-Pace Classes" by
   Terry Ryan and Joan Guertin, September/October 2003.
   
   One article really popped out at me - "Recognizing Multiple, Related
   Diagnoses for Treatment Success" by Karen Overall September/October
   2003. The article went into discussion about thunderstorm phobia,
   noise phobia and separation anxiety.
   
   There were several other articles I found interesting, these are just
   examples of what came to my mind.



5. Edited by certified dog behavior consultant Mychelle E. Blake, The Dog Trainer's Resource: The APDT Chronicle of the Dog Collection is an anthology of 80 articles by 40 authors, all previously published by The Association of Pet Dog Trainers newsletter. Top-notch, cutting edge information on everything from puppy training to learning theory, dealing with aggression, shelter dogs, running a professional dog training business and meeting the needs of clients, and much more fill this expert-level resource. Lay people seeking to train their beloved pets will also benefit greatly from the wisdom and advice in The Dog Trainer's Resource.