1 comments about Stanley and Sophie.

1. If you like sharp, insightful, unsentimental writing, then you'll like this book. Yes, the dogs are charming...but don't let that trick you into thinking this is a predictable "my-dog-is-so-cute-let-me-tell-you-exactly-how" memoir. Rather, it paints a broad picture of life as actually lived using a carefully controlled brush, taking you inside the life and mind of the writer. Frankly, I'm baffled by the PW reviewer's comment that Jennings doesn't make it clear why she gives up the dogs -- it's the central point of the book. It's a story of successful transitions and, in its own unique, unpredictable way, is inspirational...with a few laughs along the way. Highly recommend!

5 comments about The Rally Course Book: A Guide To Akc Rally Courses.

1. This book is great. It has a course syllabus for instructors who want to teach rally. It also gives sample Rally courses so you can set up to practice. I am a beginner in Rally and classes are not offered near me. So this book helps me teach myself. It does NOT tell you how to teach the certain commands, but does describe the signs in detail.



2. For someone who is interested in rally obedience this book is a must have.
   The courses are set up and the instructions are printed with their numbers so they are easily found.



3. This gives you lots and lots of courses that you can set up and practice on. The first few are just have right turns, the next few after that just have left turns, and from then on they all seem to have both. There are lots and lots of different courses for each level (Novice (N), Advanced (A), and Excellent (X)). They are all different and I think if you can do all the courses in this book at the level you will be competing (e.g. if you're going to be doing Novice then do all the novice ones) at then you are ready to go out and do the real thing.
   
   This is not really a training book. For info on training, if you are JUST interested in making your dog obedient enough for Rally then just get Click Your Way to Rally Obedience by Pamela S. Dennison. If you plan to go on to regular obedience after this get Clicker Training for Obedience by Morgan Spector too and read them both at the same time. This way you can train percision from the start instead of having to go back after your dog's Rally career is over and fix things.
   
   The graphics used to "prettify" the book (not the graphics used in the maps of courses for you to make) are pixelated which happens when an image is too small and you have to blow it up into a larger size. It makes it look somewhat tacky and less professional.



4. This is a wonderful reference. Good details about the signs and what you and your dog need to do for each one. I'd highly recommend this book as a companion source to taking a rally class.



5. if you are looking for a lot of rally course diagrams plus the rules this is the book for you. but if you want a book that is the successor to kramer's rally books -- both editions being published prior to rally becoming an akc sanctioned event --- you may, as i was, be disappointed. this book is not what i expected - that being a definitive book with sections including not only detailed "how to's" on the exercises finally accepted by the akc at the three competitive levels of rally, but more importantly a detailed explanation of the possible errors and the applicable deductions. this info is available but it is scattered and to date not i don't believe included in a single document.on the other hand, if you are primarily looking for a lot of examples of possible rally courses then this is the book for you.

5 comments about Good Dog, Bad Dog, New and Revised: Dog Training Made Easy.

1. This has great training info, but limited puppy information as compared to "Good Owners, Great Dogs". Good dog bad dog has a lot of temperment information if that's what you need.



2. Before I give my review, a few facts. Dogs are the first domesticated animal, with humans selectively "designing" canis familiaris, beginning somewhere around 14,000 to 200,000 years ago. So it should come as no surprise that with that kind of conjoint relationship, we selected for attentive behavior. They've helped us hunt our food, herd and protect our flocks and us, and acted as companions.
   What's it all mean? It means that most dogs are really easy to train. Almost anything works. Food rewards, placing the animal into the desired position, operant or classic conditioning (clicker training) or punishment. The operative word in that last sentence is "most." I've read most books on dog training and almost any of the techniques offered will work with some dogs. But you don't want your dog trained! You want your dog obedient. It sits. Terrific. Does it sit when it wants to or when you want it to. Do you say sit, sit, sit, sit.... Do you plead with your dog to come? Do you have to lure your dog with a treat that's visible? Then you don't have an obedient dog. You have a dog that has been trained to do certain things and it will do them when it chooses to. I call those dogs dead. Because the first time that dog gets out of the house and sees little Tommy riding his scooter, your dog is going to take off and get run over. The dog is going to think, hmmm, piece of cheese or run after Tommy (or a bunny or another dog or an ice cream truck)Tommy often wins the toss.
   We seem to have developed a softer, kinder view of training. Hooey. K9 cops, the military and SAR dog trainers don't use these techniques. Why. They are not reliable and when you tell your dog to sit/stay or come, you want reliable. Your dog's life may be at stake. One of the more popular books, talking about R+, which means positive reinforcement, slips in a sentence in the middle of the book, that goes something like, "of course in certain situations where the dog's life may be in danger, corrections may be necessary..." As to Dolphins trainers who use clickers or whistles and are trying to convince you that the same techniques can work with dogs, don't you believe it. Let me see them go through their paces, with the tank filled with food fish. You are training so that your dog will ignore distractions and pay attention only to its handler, you. That's what this is all about. If you don't mind being pulled down the block or fighting your dog for your favorite position on the couch, then pass this book up. And if you are not prepared to really, really correct the dog when it lunges at another dog, then just go watch some tv. This book tells us to do with dogs, what we do(or should do) with our children when they don't pay attention. (No, I am not advocating choke collars for kids - but come to think about it, it's not such a bad idea!) The dog is "corrected" with a brief, but clearly recognizable (to the dog) snap on a choke collar. And when the dog does what we ask it to, we make an exaggerated and very loud, GOOD DOGGIE." We don't hit the dog, we don't destroy it's spirit, we are teaching the dog that it needs to do what it knows how to do, when we want it to do it. And the book makes it clear that there are different kinds of dogs and therefore different approaches. Pay attention to what kind of dog that you have. You don't correct an adolescent Lab the same way I would correct a 7-year old poodle you just took home from the pound, and I wouldn't correct a very sensitive, "soft" or scared dog the way I would a dog that is obstinate. This is a 5 star book. It isn't the only book you should have, though, It leaves out hand signals and I use them extensively and it leaves out, as one reviewer points out, the "leave it" command. It also leaves out the "get the tire" , "get the bone," "get the toy" and "move over" commands which I've taught my GSD after she went through obedience training with this book. Use food for tricks. If the dog doesn't do the trick, no harm done. But when you say, "Fido come." Fido should come - immediately, without a pause, without looking around, without deciding whether there's something else it would rather be doing. Once your dog has basic on-leash obedience training, the sky is the limit on what the dog is capable of.



3. These books relies entirely on the use of aversives (collar choking) with dog training and does not use strong positive reinforcers like food. The methods are 50 years outdated and did not work at all with my dog. If you really want to know how your dog learns and how to teach him what you want him to do, buy Jean Donaldson's Culture Clash, perhaps the best book ever written about dogs.



4. There is some basic good information in this book, but there are many out dated methods also. I like using positive techniques and this book suggests otherwise for some dogs. It also fails to mention many more of the techniques that we are using today. I would not recommend this book unless you have more background knowledge in dog training and can tell the good from the bad.



5. I live in Southern California where we hear Uncle Matty on the radio, and I got one of his trainers to come out and work with our dogs. It works!!

5 comments about Belgian Malinois (Comprehensive Owner's Guide) (Comprehensive Owner's Guide Kennel Club).

1. If your just doing your homework before owning your first Malinois or you already own one. This is a must own book! Not to mention there are very few books avaliable on this wonderfull breed.



2. Very informative for those beginning with Mals. Of course you can find the information in this book all over the web, but it is a must have for your library if you own a Mal.



3. This book is dull and has nothing not publicly available (with the exception of the photos of cute puppies circa mid 80's) elsewhere. Would not recommend. It says very little about understanding the breed. I have owned and trained four Mals for the police force.



4. Finally a comprehensive book on Belgian Malinois!!! This is one of the only books I've found that isn't about all of the Dutch Shepherds, only the Malinois. I learned a lot more about the breed, enabling to understand my Malinois' behavior and drives. A must have for any one thinking about this beautiful and complicated breed!



5. Great book, very informative. I would say that this book is appropriate for dog owners, or potential owners, with beginner to intermediate experience, or just anyone who wants to learn more about the breed.

5 comments about The Working American Bulldog.

1. While this book has some fairly decent photos, it is not well written and is VERY opinionated!! This guy is NOT AN EXPERT and should have spent time with his AB's instead of wasting time writing this book!!!! Everyone has an opinion, if we all took the time to put it book form.... just imagine!!!



2. This book is a very fun read with more information than I could have imagined. Putnam has very forceful opinions but grounds them in a hard foundation of common sense. My wife and I bought this book to better prepare ourselves for our first AB. The knowledge we gained will be invaluable to us as we grow with our puppy. I want to provide the best enviroment I can for my dog, and this book helps explain all those personality traits and breed traits that I need to understand. Thanks Dave.



3. First of all this book is fantastic! The information is the best I have found and the pictures and quality of the book in general is excellent. I bought this book after getting my first American Bulldog puppy. I wish I had read this book first. The author obviously has a true love for AB's and this book must have been a labor of love. Thanks Dave!



4. This was a gift to my husband. He loves it!!! It has lots of pictures and great info on this dog. Would recommend! A+++
   A.W.



5. The most comprehensive book to date on the subject of the American Bulldog. Dave Putnam really did his homework as for as the history & orgins of the breed, although when he gets to the modren AB it becomes more obvious that he favors the "standard" over the larger "Johnson" type. With that aside I still consider it "a most have" for any AB owner, except I think he should have change the name of the book from "The Working AB" to "My Working AB" seeing as how most of the text is about personal experiences of his dog, & not the breed in general.

5 comments about Yiddish for Dogs: Chutzpah, Feh!, Kibbitz, and More: Every Word Your Canine Needs to Know.

1. Being the YENTA that I apparently am, I must spread the word about this MISHUGGEH of a MATZIAH to the whole MISHPOCHA out there! What a METZIAH! Be a MENSCH and buy one, yourself. Not to make a big MEGILLAH, but any MAVEN would KVELL over such a gift. Only a GONIFF wouldn't buy it! Don't get all FATACTST about it, this is no DRECK. No one would have the CHUTZPAH to give this a bad review. It costs BUBKES, and everyone on your gift list from ALTER KOCKER to BOYHICK will declare it a YONTIFF when they receive it!
   
   Even if your dog is a VILDA CHAYA or a VONTZ, there will be no UNGABLOOZEN when they get this prized TCHOTCHKE. Only a SCHNORRER would read it at the library! Buy it now from Amazon.com and you'll never Be a SCHMANDRICK again. Stop SHLUFFIN and get it now. No more SCHLEPPING, because this is no SHLOCK!
   
   To not buy it is a SHANDEH!



2. I grew up in a New York Eastern European Jewish household where Yiddish was spoken interchangeably with English. We never ate chicken gizzards, and I would pale at the thought of eating stomach, but I loved the "pupick".
   
   When something was bad a simple "Oy!" would do, but if you heard "Oy vay is mir" you knew things were really bad. Instead of glowing with joy we would "kvell". And people were never crazy, just "mishugeneh".
   
   So much Yiddish has entered into typical American English vocabulary that it makes sense that our dogs, even strays from a "goy" background, would still understand the words.
   
   I mean, what dog likes to "shlep" her owners around? And who wants only kibble when there is a "mishmash" of food in the trash? Why be on a diet when we can "fress"? And how can a dog not start barking or "plotzing" when lots of people come over the house?
   
   This is a short picture book written from the viewpoint of dogs. So we have fat fireplug of a dog saying : "What can I say about FRESSING? Obviously my favorite activity. And believe me, I'll eat anything that you put in front of me." And we have a "shlemeil" cigarette smoking dachshund sitting in front of a "no smoking" sign.
   
   If you are Jewish, a dog lover, or both you should buy this book. Short, hysterically funny, and the pictures are just too cute! Keep it out for company, show your friends, look at it when you're in a bad mood, and don't forget to keep speaking Yiddish to your dogs lest they lose the tradition!



3. Mmm, yes, a language fit for a dog. How charming! Goebbels would have liked it; or did he write it?
   
   P.S. I'd give it 0 stars, but that wasn't an option.



4. great pictures and text. it contained all the yiddish top words and expressions with comical explanations....however if you know them already one read is probably all you need



5. This is a short-ish book which consists of some well-known and some less known Yiddish words illustrated by pictures of various dogs. Some of the pictures are rather appropriate for the words but others are just cute pictures. This isn't a book to read as a serious Yiddish primer but is amusing and serves to remind non-Yiddish speakers of how many of our words are actually from that language (for example, I had no idea that "mishmash" is Yiddish).
   
   This probably works best as a gift book or a coffee table book.
   
   Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book, www.curledup.com. © Helen Hancox 2007

5 comments about Having Fun With Agility.

1. This book is great for a novice like me. Shows how to keep it 'fun' and not get all serious.
   
   My dog appreciates me reading this one.



2. I really like this book - it is very informal and has great ideas. I just wish it had more information on how to make your own equipment. Don't want to compete with my dog - we just want to have some fun and this book has been a great help.



3. Since my main goal in Agility is to have fun with my Golden Retriever, Pooka, I thought this would be a good book. It is! Lots of great training tips and super ideas to increase the enjoyment for handlers and dogs. Margaret Bonham's style is easy to understand, the pictures and illustrations are clear and encouraging. Maybe next summer Pooka and I will throw an 'Agility Party' for our classmates!



4. Super way to obtain this material! The book is well written and documented with outstanding pictures. All my dog and I needed to get started having a FUN time with AGILITY!



5. Hi, this is Maggie Bonham (the author) and I hope you'll check out my latest book on agility, Having Fun with Agility. This is a fun book aimed at people who are looking for something to do with their dogs, but not necessarily looking to compete in it.
   
   This book is laid back, discussing the obstacles and how to train your dog. I have a wonderful section on clicker training your dog to do agility as well. I also have sections for dog owners who have dogs who aren't necessarily fit enough to do regular agility but to provide some sort of activity for them. Lastly, I have information on how to throw an agility party.
   
   Sounds fun? It is! Check out this book and my other agility book (for the more serious competitor) Introduction to Dog Agility.

5 comments about The Doggy Bone Cookbook, Second Edition.

1. I bought the 1st edition of this book several years ago and it is a great little book. The recipes are easy and the ingredients are readily available. You can even customize the recipes; try adding a little cooked bone marrow or ground up bits of cooked meat (you know the stuff that you don't eat, like gristle) grind it up in a food processor and add it to the dough. Just remember to store the biscuits in the fridge (short term) or the freezer.
   
   The only problem with this book is that when I don't have time to make homemade dog biscuits and I buy store bought-my dogs spit them out! Even the gourmet kind! They'll just spit them out and start trying to "shake" and if that doesn't work they'll try "down" and then "down & shake" at the same time. They think that if they do enough tricks I'll fork over the homemade cookies! And when they realize that there are no homemade cookies in the house, they'll pick up their "crummy" store bought cookie and take it to their bed and pout!
   
   So, remember to always keep some in the freezer, or else things could get ugly!



2. There are only a few recipes in this book but they are simple and the dogs seem to like them well enough.



3. This is such a great, fun cookbook! I bought this book before Christmas to make some treats for family and friend's pets, and all the ones I had leftover I ended up feeding to my two dogs! I must say the downsides were some of the recipes made the dough flimsy and hard to work with, and it was extremely difficult keeping my dogs out of the kitchen. With recipes like the peanut butter one, I found out the more you add to the mixture, the more it stays together. I'm not saying go overboard, but a spoonful here and there won't hurt. Wheat flour is hard to work with, so if I added more ingredients it actually worked out better. I love this book! My neighbors have been begging me to borrow it!



4. I purchased this book to start my doggy bag barkery business and the biscuits really sell. I recommend this book for anyone starting out in the business. Be careful with the Minty Bones because they mold quickly.



5. very good book though not many recipes (I think about 10) but very simple ingredients and easy to follow instructions. My copy also came with a bone shaped cookie cutter! very good though short and card pages so robust enough for kids etc... my dog loves the peanut biscuits

5 comments about Howl: A Collection of the Best Contemporary Dog Wit.

1. This is supposed to be a collection of the best witty stories about dogs. It's not even close. I am a sucker for dogs and have lived with rescue dogs since the 70's so I am a prime consumer if this book was actually what it was supposed to be. I defy anyone to find a humorous passage in any story in the book. The tales are drab and sodden. Worse many of them are stories by people who don't know how to take care of dogs. One is about a house full of college students who of course eventually go their own ways and leave the dog with someone's mom. This is a great way to make sure shelters remain overcrowded. Many of the stories have the dogs running loose. Another receipe for disaster. So the stories are worse than simply lacking in wit, they are tales of what not to do with your dog. Pitiful.



2. The best collection of dog anecdotes I've read
   
   Lord Byron was right about dogs possessing all of the human virtues without their corollary vices: beauty without vanity, intelligence without conceit, courage without ferocity and strength without insolence. We as a species are lucky that our canine quadruped friends, clearly superior beings, have anything at all to do with us bumbling, high-strung, self-important two-leggers. And you can add to Lord Byron's litany, humor without sarcasm. Yes, doggies do indeed have a sense of humor, not too terribly different from our own.
   
   This is without doubt the best collection of dog anecdotes I've ever read, from the people who publish the wonderful "Bark" magazine (whose motto, by the way, is "Dog is my co-pilot").
   
   While all of the stories in this delightful anthology are captivating, my personal favorites are John Glaser's "Better Than You," Margaret Cho's "Dog Whores" and "Strange Bedfellows" by the irrepressible Kinky Friedman.
   
   No doubt, some 100 centuries ago when the first lupine proto-dogs got together and noted that - lacking opposable thumbs - they were most unlikely to evolve a technological civilization, a group decision was taken to hitch their wagon to the hominid star, thus ensuring a future of quality veterinary care, three squares a day and climate control. Not to mention, worshipful adoration!
   
   Smart, very smart, critters these loveable mutts. Perhaps, uncounted eons hence, when they become the dominant species on the planet, they'll be publishing anthologies of "funny human" stories. I wouldn't be a bit surprised.
   
   This is a wonderful book, howlingly funny, and I'd recommend it to any Dog person!
   
   As the immortal Groucho Marx once said, "Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."



3. While I did not read "Bark", I very much enjoyed "Howl". It is a compilation of humorous animal stories from comedians, writers, actors, etc. Nice, easy (and very funny) reading!



4. The editors at the Bark sure do have an eye for the best dog writing out there. This collection was very very funny and would make a great christmas gifts for dog lovers who love a laugh. My favorite pieces were from Lee Harrington, Neal Pollack, and Kinky Friedman. The other anthology by The Bark, Dog is My Co-Pilot, was more soulful than this book. But this one is funnier! SO you need both. Let's hope they do more dog anthologies in the future!



5. Howl is a terrific ode to Man's best friend...and a reminder that in this cold, dark world, a true friend can be found...Writer's from all around the country share warm and witty musings on their relationships with that one creature that gives and gives a "howl"...terrific, well done and a good read on the beach or before bed...M. Grasso Santa Monica, CA

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!