5 comments about Dog Man: An Uncommon Life on a Faraway Mountain.

1. This book has touched me. The main character is morally strong, and the result of his strength has affected a breed of dog to a point beyond comprehension. If you own an Akita, this is a must read. If you do not own an Akita, you need to read this as well.



2. Heard about this book when Charlie Rose interviewed the author on his show. Apparently the Akita is a country dog bred in the mountains in Japan. During WWII, the breed was threatened--people ate them because they were starving--and this is the story of how one man formed a network of friends to save the breed and protect them. It is also the story of his family, including stories of the different dogs he saved. For dog lovers and Akita fans especially.



3. Haven't had a dog in years but love great books about dogs and this is a great book about a dog and the man who rescued the breed from extinction.
   
   And what a gentle man he is. Brings the word Zen to life for me. And to think he never accepted money for any of the dogs, and has lived such a simple pure life. Not only is it a story of a man saving a breed of dog, but it also has some priceless lessons about living simple, enjoying stillness and being content.
   
   I wonder if the Japanese exchange students we have had over the years who all owned Akitas know of Morie Sawataishi.



4. I bought this book because I'm very interested in dogs and had visited Japan. While the book really was about a man who saved Akitas after WWII, it was so much more. Interwoven was a very interesting history of what the Japanese endured from close to the end of the war until today. I was in awe of the hardships they faced and the tremendous number of things they achieved. I feel I'd need more than one lifetime to even approach accomplishing what they have.
   The author kept the momentum going and has produced a really wonderful book that was never dull and brought life during these times alive. Effortless reading.
   I have read that the Japanese take one idea and keep refining it, not just always looking for the next best thing. This is how Dog Man approached his life with dogs. Wonderful book.



5. ...he could have been a lot like Morie Sawataishi. Singular of mind, even monomaniacal. Narcissistic. Athletic and daring. And superhuman in his talent--rescuing the Akita "snow dog" breed from annihilation during World War II.
   
   Author Martha Sherrill manages to bring us to a sympathetic understanding of this man in her fine work Dog Man. Dog lovers will find it easier to comprehend Morie's fixation, and how he uses his beloved Akitas as an escape, even a bulwark, from his family and its war-time struggles with hunger and poverty. But Dog Man goes far beyond its esoteric main subject as we travel via Sherrill's fluid prose to Japan's fascinating post-war snow country, and bear witness as it enters the modern age. In the span of her book, the region goes from untouched country largely lacking electric power and prowled by bears and wild mountain men, to populated civilization served by bullet train. And the photos of all those beautiful dogs alone are worth the price of the hardcover. A great read that takes you far away!

5 comments about Good Owners, Great Dogs.

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



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



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



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



5. Great information, sound advise. To use the words of the author, Brian Kilcommons "Instead of going out of your mind, get into his". This books is a must read for every dog owner.

5 comments about The Nature of Animal Healing : The Definitive Holistic Medicine Guide to Caring for Your Dog and Cat.

1. A real eyeopener. The chapter on vaccines was good & as stated had my dogs tested & they did not need vaccines . Its a shame the vets don't tell you a titters test is avaiable instead of over vaccinating. Start reading pet food labels in more detail even if it says its organic find out from the manufacturer if they get food from another source and if thats the case they don't have to list the chemicals in that part. A must read if you want a healthy animal.



2. My book had no signs of abuse and was in great shape except some of the pages had yellowing from age. It arrived in a very timely manner. I would order again from this company. I was very pleased with their customer service.



3. If you are looking for more information, as I have been, this is a good book. It was very helpful. I am reading practically everything I can find regarding dog health as my 4 -year old Siberian cross just developed epilepsy. I have discovered that each book I get has an extra bit of information that I did not glean before from other books. (Good for the booksellers, right?) But seriously, it has good information! I recommend it.



4. Within four days of following many of the suggestions in this book, my two huge ailing dogs started smiling abundantly, staying awake more, and enjoying life again! I love knowing I am making a difference in their lives by giving them a healthier and more delicious diet. This book stays on my bedside table for frequent reference, and my friends are buying copies as well. It inspires me to be a better mama for my loving furchildren! Nan Shaw



5. For everyone who lives with dogs and/or cats, this is a must have book. It is comprehensive and full of invaluable information. He discusses everything from diet to cancer to vaccines. He provides rather detailed information, not just skimming the surface of the topics. He includes lots of useful sources as well. I was so excited when I got this book that I immediately ran to the store to implement some of the changes.

5 comments about The Beginner's Guide to Dog Agility.

1. I thought this book was really a great overview of dog agility training. The author does a really nice job of describing the kind of dog that works best with a agillity along with exact training exercies and other helpful books, clubs, and web sites. I felt this book was a fantastic source for dog lovers whether you want to train for fun or train for competition.



2. We bought this book on the suggestion of an agility dog trainer that we met at an agility trial. This book gives you all the ins and outs to dog agility as well as great training tips. I also loved all the color pictures showing dogs in action. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in getting into dog agility.



3. A very easy to understand book for the beginner written in plain english. Plenty of highlighted boxes and tables to explain key points.
   
   The book gives you information on each obstacle as well as how events are run and what to do if you want to enter an event.
   
   There is also a chapter on etiquette that a lot more people need to read!



4. This is a great first book for people who want to learn how to do agility with their dogs. It is insightful, thoughtful and thorough. The author writes as though she is talking to a real person. You can tell she really enjoys working with her dogs and sharing the world of agility with others.



5. I have a little toy poodle who seems to fit the bill for an agility dog. Even his caveat about poodles having a sense of humor and doing the unexpected in the show ring is right on the mark.
   
   We bought this book just for something to have fun with our poodle with. We're going to set up a little agility ring in the backyard to channel some of this pup's energy.

5 comments about My Smart Puppy: Fun, Effective, and Easy Puppy Training (Book & 60min DVD).

1. I found this book very informative and helpful, However, it did not come from Amazon with the Bonus DVD as advertised.
   
   The authors encourage their readers to e-mail them with any questions that one may have, but an e-mailed question has gone unanswered for a considerable period of time.



2. Hiroki is the epitome of this book. She so smart! You can any dog really with this book. Hiro knows sit and down within a week! It's a must-have in training. I tell everybody about it. She's very well behaved compared to most dogs her age. People are amazed how much she's learned in such a short period of time.



3. I bought this book a few days after our family brought home a new puppy. I wish I'd bought it a few days BEFORE we got her! I read most of it the first day I bought it and the rest the second day. I started using the tips immediately, and really helped us so much. I had a dog when I was growing up, but haven't raised my own puppy. (I am a mom to two young children, but parenting humans is different!) Some of the puppy training tips are things I just never would have thought of on my own or heard about even from others. As I read the book, I kept thinking, "This is great!" It gives you the tools you need to teach the behaviors you want. This, I can tell, will be my go-to puppy training book for the next two years or so. Basically, it gives you some background chapters to let you know how your dog thinks and why you need to be his/her leader. Then it gives you specific training exercises to do with your dog, starting with beginning level and building from there. It also has chapters on problem areas, house training, etc. It is GREAT! I have read one of the Cesar Millan books, too, and it is useful, but not as practical. This is not just theory and advice, it is actual puppy training lessons for you to use all day every day. It even has photos to illustrate how to do them, which is more necessary than you would think. (Plus, there's the video.) It is really step by step. Would write a more thorough reveiw if I didn't have to go parent kids. Buy this if you have a puppy or are planning to get one!!!!



4. I started by reading a good portion of the book, which I found very helpful and informative (the occasional glaring scientific error, as mentioned by another reviewer, notwithstanding). The text raised my expectations for the video - I looked forward to a practical demonstration of the many training "games" that are listed, categorized, and described in the book.
   
   What I found on the video is that those demonstrations *are* forthcoming, if you're patient. But it's kind of like one of those mandatory time-share seminars - you're held captive for a LOT of advertising. That adorable puppy on the cover of the book? Instead of that cute red scarf, he's got a bandanna bearing the all-over imprint of the sponsoring brand of puppy food. So does his collar, his leash, and the big bag of food in the background of nearly every scene. Frequent references are made to how necessary high quality food (gee, we wonder which one) is necessary for the brain development that will make your puppy especially brilliant and trainable. Thinly veiled commercial breaks are frequent, both for the food and for a flea-treatment product (same congolomerate?). The names of these products are never spoken, but the conspicuously-labeled packaging is everywhere. Overall, it made me feel as if these folks assume me to be a whole lot less smart than a puppy.
   
   I still like the book, and I'll probably make it through the whole DVD for the sake of the training demonstrations. But I kind of feel as if the food manufacturer should have offered this set for free with your first purchase of puppy-chow.
   
   Being a naturally contrary sort, I was inspired by all of this to look for a more objective source of food-quality information for my puppy. If you do a web search for "dog food analysis," you'll find a very informative site that helps to clarify food quality issues. And, sad to say, the much-endorsed brand doesn't exactly leave the competition in the dust (to say the least), so now I feel less guilty about being too stubborn to buy it after being subjected to this sales pitch.
   
   I really do like the book though; you can be sure I wouldn't have put aside my annoyance to give it 4 stars, otherwise! It has a lot of helpful insights about how puppies think, where our communications with them often break down, and how to work *with* your puppy to ingrain habits and responses that will be constructive for all concerned.



5. This book gives great insight into the mind of a K-9. It's a great training aid as well as a good read.

5 comments about Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish.

1. I just didn't care for this book. I received this book as a christmas gift. I work at a dog daycare, so it is safe to say that I really love dogs. However, I did not feel connected to the dog in this book at all. The author wrote about his dogs as though they were saints. Come on, we love our animals, but they are not perfect. It's all those little quirks that make them memorable and special. In addition to the lack of character description, I felt like Levin's writing was poor. The sentences were constantly short and unnecessary. So much of his diction and descriptions added nothing to the story. This novel was not worth sharing or reading. Now don't get me wrong, any time an animal dies it is heartbreaking. To this day I can not think of my sweet Norman and not shed a tear, but this book was just not a proper tribute to a dog that supposedly touched this man's life.



2. I was very touched with this story. For anyone who has ever loved and lost a pet it will touch your heart.



3. This book should be read by everyone who has loved a pet. The book takes thru the circle of life, embracing the journey and making us feel we are there. Every feeling the author shares becomes ours. The book reminds us it is okay to have loved and lost, if not we would, as Garth Brooks says "would have missed the dance" - as we enter into a pet relationship we are glad we are not thinking of how it might end, if we were we would probably pass, and oh, how much we and that pet would have missed.
   Thank you Mr. Levin for sharing your journey.



4. I bought this for a friend who has a very sick dog they have owned for 8 years. We both read it, it is wonderfully written, sad and yet encouraging when you realize other people have lost pets and cared as much as you do.



5. Great story about a lucky dog and dog lovers whoe rescued him.
   It made me feel great about the love and dedication in rescuing a great dog.
   Friendly warning: If you start reading in late evening, you may not get enough sleep because it is hard to put down this book.

5 comments about Canine Body Language: A Photographic Guide Interpreting the Native Language of the Domestic Dog.

1. This was recommended reading for The Delta Society training course. It is an excellent insight in to the world of dogs. Very good examiniation of dog body language. By learning to pay attention to your dogs posture, you will know what it is thinking before it does. Remember there are no dumb dogs, just dumb owners. Learn to understand your animal. Read this book.



2. I bought this book after our trainer let us borrow hers for a while. There is more information than I could ever remember, so it's very useful as a reference. Dog behavior is often very different from human behavior (e.g., among dogs avoiding eye contact is considered polite) and this book helps make sense of what is really going on with them, making it possible to stop problem behavior before it begins.



3. This is one of the BEST books I think any dog owner can buy!
   Especially, if you have more than one dog of your own.
   I purchased it after recently acquiring a new puppy.
   That makes 3 dogs currently.
   One of the older dogs, gets along very well with the new puppy.
   The other older (male - an alpha dog thing I guess) has not gotten along so well with the pup. It is NOT the puppy's fault, rather, I think I have a jealous old dog who thinks he owns me, and is 'guarding' me from this new intruder...
   So, this book is full of photos with descriptions giving you guidelines of what the different body language (and some is VERY subtle) is telling not only you BUT, what it is telling the other dogs. Body language seems to be the key way a dog communicates with other dogs. Sometimes, we have to watch very closely to see a particular cue from the dogs themselves.
   These cues, are easily noticed by other dogs and can forewarn of impending actions that may be about to happen...
   such as snapping at the new puppy etc.
   I love my older dogs, BUT, they MUST co-exist with the new one(s) and this is one way to help insure that they do.
   Hopefully, old dog with learn to accept the pup.
   I also purchased a wire muzzle for old dog. I do mean business! Being that the breeds I have a large dogs, I do not want to come in between the old dog and pup at the biting end with out protection.
   I highly recommend this book for NICER aspects of dog ownership also.
   It is fun to decipher with help of the book the different meanings of the "play time" body language as well.
   Great for dog watchers, even if you do not own a dog, but just enjoy watching them (or if you were ever wondering about the dog coming towards you down the street while you are out jogging... and he is not with his owner OR on a leash :0 ).



4. I used Aloff's pictures and descriptions of dog body language to try to understand an adopted dog that I thought was showing signs of owner-directed aggression. He wasn't. He was trying to tell me a lot, but I hadn't understood it. After I studied the book, I changed my reactions and behaviors. We developed a very good and positive relationship. He "mellowed" according to other people. Actually, I think he finally felt that he belonged in this strange human pack. A very helpful and interesting book for anyone who deals with dogs.



5. Good, but could be a lot more professionally written and photographed for the price. The quality of the photos is only very average. The explanations for each picture are at times too brief leaving the reader a bit confused. For example, I found it frustrating to be told some behavior is a displacement signal or a negotiation signal, but not define what the author means by the term displacement, etc. I was rather disappointed in this book.

5 comments about The Only Dog Tricks Book You'll Ever Need: Impress Friends, Family--and Other Dogs!.

1. Book in perfect shape. Arrived in very timely manor. Thank you for your great service.



2. It is definitely for beginners. The authors explains every detail about everything so you will be succesful in teaching which tricks you want and doing it correctly and efficiently. It displays a few pictures of dogs performing the tricks but its not a visual book, but more of a guide book that you have to read most of to understand who to do things properly. All in all its an amazing book if you want to teach your dog great, fun things.



3. I've purchased many dog behavior and trick books over the years. This little gem is definitely the best trick book. My golden and I have had many great times learning some of the tricks. Easy to follow and the progressive technique makes great sense. I'm amazed at how fast he can learn following the simple directions. Patience and consistency as always is the key.



4. This is a very good book. It has may good points about tricks and teaching your dog.



5. This was a great book. Easy to follow steps. Needs more pictures. A DVD to go along with it would be better.

5 comments about Amazing Gracie: A Dog's Tale.

1. Great book that had me actually laughing out loud, tearing up, and also sobbing. You go on Gracie and Dan's journey and live it with them.



2. It's a great book in so many different aspects. It still brings me to tears when I think of Gracie, and I have been sure to give extra loven to my Zoie, a beautiful and very mischievious Great Dane, everyday. After reading the book, I don't even mind so much now when I end up holding on to the edge of my king size bed for dear life while Zoie is spralled out taking up 90% of the bed snoring away while I haven't gotten a good night sleep in ages. I didn't even yell at her when she ate three pairs of shoes in one week. The book makes you want to be better to your dogs, do more with them and enjoy them every day. I know my life is happy and fulfilled because of my canine family and my skin family. All six of my dogs are rescues, and they are amazing and wonderful dogs just like Gracie!



3. I have been trying to find dog books that were as good as Marley and Me and had no luck. I read this book in a day... which I never do. I am from KC, and had no idea before reading this book that it was written by the co-founder of Three Dog Bakery right here in KC! On the first page it talked about him griving the loss of his childhood dog Blue; my first dog's name was Blue. As I kept reading I kept finding more and more things that "spoke" to me. I think this book is BETTER than Marley and Me... both books are my top faves. I might be bias as I'm from KC and remember taking my Blue there. But hardly believe I am.... notice no rating lower than a 4 on here! This book was wonderfully written. It will make you think about life,your own animals, and how everything happens for a reason. I can't say enough wonderful things about this book. (I checked this book out from the library... but will be buying it so that I may own a copy and have others read it, and proceeds of the book go to the Gracie Foundation... to help neglected and abused animals.) This book is not just about a dog; it's how an animal no one wanted showed him how to live and love, one day at a time.



4. This is such an awesome dog story. It is full of real life fun and mayhem of owning a dog in a multiple dog family. It was witty and entertaining.



5. I've been looking for a book like Marley and Me. So when I was looking up animal books I found this one. I loved this book so much. I laught and cryed. I'm a big dog lover, as I have two of my own so this book was perfect for me. I would recomend it to anyone who is an animal lover.

5 comments about Puppy Whisperer: A Compassionate, Non Violent Guide to Early Training and Care.

1. Very useful book. Wish I would have had it before I got our puppy.



2. I used Paul's book to train my puppy and it has been one of the most rewarding things I've ever done! His methods are completely reward based and compassion driven so there's no using pinch or choke collars, something I am very opposed to. I have have had great success overcoming all the normal puppy issues such as potty training, nipping, separation anxiety, and digging by using Paul's methods.
   
   All in all I can't say enough good things about this book!



3. I loved this book. It is very helpful and easy to read. I highly recommend it!



4. This book is it! Five stars quality!
   We got "The Puppy Whisperer" with the hope of getting an overall guide to training our new puppy full of energy. We were amazed at how detailed and full of great advice this book is. Paul Owens explains the bare bones of dog training technique while maintaining a style full of warmth and compassion which makes for a perfect combination helping to train the puppy to be an obedient and loving companion.
   Definitely recommended for people who want an easy to use tool and a serious method.
   Ruy Folguera



5. I am not a professional dog trainer and found this book to be very helpful in dealing with some basic behavioral issues I have been having with my goldendoodle. It gives good direct instructions on how to deal with specific problems. It is far better than a few other books I have read rectently, but you may want to look at "Puppy Perfect" by Sarah Hodgson as some of its training methods seemed more practical than this one.