5 comments about Family Dog.

1. I ordered this book for my son who recently got a house dog. The book was sent to him. But I know, from past experence, hhat richard wolters fooks are great. They are easy to follow and the results are outstanding.



2. I think the book is a good starting point. The video presents a different housebreaking method, and is far easier for the entire family to understand. The video is better for the entire family, but the book should be read by the main decision maker. We rewatch the video frequently to pick up pointers on our current stage.



3. I gave this book along with a lab puppy to my grandsons. It is perfect! The pictures in the book show a seven year old boy training a lab puppy. I have used Wolters' system for training hunting labs for years -- at first read, his system will also work very well for a pet. Don't be disconcerted with a 1963 copyright -- it's still very valid.



4. This book came recommended to me by brother who has a beautifully trained hunting lab (who does double duty as great big family dog in a teeny tiny house!). We are a dog family with many combined years of rescues and pure breeds (depending on who landed on our doorstep at the time). This current generation is the best ever thanks to methods in the Wolters books. Already our 13 week puppy is well beyond our resident geriatrics. I just bumped into the breeder we purchased her from and she stated even they are astounded just how wonderfully well-natured and confident our pup is and still retaining great drive. (The breeder, by the way, is not a fan of Wolters...due the popular criticism that floats around).
   
   
   
   It is naive to assume all children and all dogs should be treated in the exact same manner, regardless of temperament or behavior. Agenda based criticisms of this book are as shallow as this assumption. The author of this book offers a well guided technique for training, time tested for many years now, AND possible solutions to guide owners through problem behavior. Discipline techniques are there to protect the dogs and their owners...my mother with a lame leg could be greatly injured by her 95lb Poodle if he charges past her on the stairs...as well as my 2 year old daughter. A dog that bolts from the front door may have its life ended in moments by a passing car (ask my neighbor). These measures are also only recommended IF there is a problem situation. Overlooked in criticisms are the many warnings to not over train or over discipline (your children as well) and the constant reminders for consistent and logical discipline. (I found this book a great reminder as a parent as well).
   
   
   
   I have discovered that many of Wolters fans are people whose lives depend on their dogs and their dogs lives depend on their training. His book has remained popular for many years for a good reason: it simply and effectively accommodates many people and many breeds and literally leads to a lifetime of happiness.



5. Like any dog training book, you may come across a helpful tip here and there in this one. However, I found the training methods to be outdated. What this book does do well is to discuss very specific developmental stages, from birth onward, and explain why seven weeks is the best age to bring the puppy home. The last section on physical care was also somewhat helpful. As for the rest of it, I don't think I'll be employing any of the training methods discussed. In the parts of the book that discuss teaching manners, the author calls for "spanking," or giving your dog "a good cuff on the nose." The author says spanking with a newspaper is cruel, as it teaches the dog to fear loud noises, yet he suggests tin cans strung together to throw near the dog if he's stealing food, or barking at night, etc. So, at times, the author was contradicting himself. And I especially think that having a stranger "spank" your dog to teach him not to get into strange cars is probably dangerous, both for the stranger, and for the dog owner, liability wise. I would think a dog would not be too keen on strangers after having been man handled by one.

5 comments about Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats : Your A-Z Guide to Over 200 Conditions, Herbs, Vitamins, and Supplements.

1. My Bichon, Bailey, has food allergies. I bought this book to do research on this subject, and found it had lots of other very informative information. I am looking into natural homemade diets and natural care. It did the trick! It was very resonably priced for the size and information it has in it... Also so easy to read and understand.. I would highly recommend it!
   Sharon Coombs
   Herndon, Ky.



2. This is one of the more detailed books I have found. I also got Health for Happy Cats and Your Cat by Elizabeth Hodgkins. This one has a lot of details about what to feed, how to feed it, what the diseases are and what the treatments are. You can look it up by both disease and symptom and treatment, which is fantastic. They discuss pros and cons of various things. They also have a good section on cooking natural diet versus raw natural diet. They are more advocates of cooked diet as far as I can tell. They also have a few diets. If you are going to get one book on natural health for cats this should be it. there is a lot of information on supplements.



3. This book contains lots of helpful information for those seeking alternative treatments for their pets. I was pleased with the level of detail in the explanations given for specific health conditions and the suggested treatments.



4. I've owned this book for over 4 years and I use it here and there. Although no book ever covers everything, it covers quiet a bit and it is worth every cent you pay for it. If you are into natural health for your dog, this book is a must have.



5. I am a certified alternative healthcare consultant in NY and for PEOPLE I know alot, but dogs , especially my beloved Elmo, are quite different. While we use a holistic vet and Dr. Dym was here and gave free consults. I wanted and needed MORE so I personally was well informed and was doing the BEST I could to give all of my pets the longest , healthiest lives .
   I think most all of us know the basics of GOOD quality food, exercise, emotional closeness, etc.(real Age .com gives you a questionarre and advice on your dogs real age and where and what to improve upon)
   So this book gives you a multitude of preventive and curative advice in one easy to read and to use book that is quite accurate.
   I am glad to have it . AND a MAJOR point is that this is not a fear inducing book i.e. your dog will die from generic dogfoods, cancer is rampant etc(We own a grooming shop and these dogs even on awful generic food are doing quite well and many are pretty old) I do agree premium dog food is best BUT that is not the ONLY factor in good health,and this book stays on an even keel not going off the wall in either direction.
   Very useful.

5 comments about Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet.

1. I sent this and the other Kowalski book to my brother after his best friend, Smokey, died in his arms. He told me that it was helpful as he was grieving.



2. After loosing my two girls aged 11 and 12 just 40 days apart, I could not deal with my grief of one much less two. Then after my wonderful Angie crossed over, I was devastated. Both had to be "put down". Our Jessie had a fusing back and went to pee, and collapsed, back breaking and nothing able to be done neither several years ago when x-rays were taken nor when she eventually collapsed.
   
   My Angie, who made me Hers, could not live without her "sister", and I had to let her go was my twelve year old, and I was owned by since she was about four weeks old and rescued. She had her kidneys shutting down and no longer eating. That by far was the most difficult thing I had ever had to do in my life.
   
   After all this grief, I had emergency surgery two days later. I saw them in a field playing together, and did not want to come back. I considered very seriously suicide for over a year just to be with them, as they were my ONLY fiends - for a very hurtful difficult subject. This book helped me deal with my feelings after a year and a half of pain and deep, deep depression.
   
   After reading this book, it helped me deal with the euthanasia, and the fact that I already knew - of seeing them again. It is still very hard and always will be and I know that too. I am no longer suicidal - thank G-D. I will be OK, and I will be reunited with them both, along with all the others I have lost- it just helped me reassure knowing that.
   
   I recommend this book highly for anyone who has lost ANY kind of pet.



3. Loosing a pet is never an easy experience. This book helps us all to realize that we are not alone as we travel down the bumpy road of sad feelings mixed with happy memories.



4. This is a short book which I read almost in one sitting. It is beautifully written, and I cried a lot while reading it. (In fact, the title, "Goodbye, Friend" made me cry just about every time I saw it). But the chapters are too short. The inevitability of death and how it integrates into nature's (and God's) plan is mentioned often.
   
   My beloved cat and best friend was only 5 years old when she was tragically killed by a car a few weeks ago. This book mainly focusses on comforting those who's animal has lived a long full life and has now passed on. There are only a few pages devoted to sudden, accidental death of a young animal who should have lived much longer. I needed more comfort than this book could give, for this case. It is a lovely book, but it did not help much in my situation.
   
   Recommended as a short, comforting read for those who's animal has aged and died (or had to be euthanized), but not recommended for someone in the shock and extreme grief of suddenly losing their animal in the prime and vitality of it's life.



5. I had just lost my beloved collie to cancer. There was no time to prepare for her loss. By the time we discovered the tumor on her spine, she was beyond hope. I had no choice but to end her suffering and I felt very guilty in not being able to do more for her. This book helped me tremendously. I highly recommend it to anyone who has lost a pet or who is anticipating a loss. Very well written and comforting.

5 comments about The First Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats (Prevention Pets).

1. I definitely reccomend this for anyone who loves their cats and dogs like family members! There are many life saving tips in this great book. I bought this book because I have a cat who like to chew on things, including electrical wires. I learned a lot about this scary issue, as well as, many other life saving bits of information that I had never known before. There is even a section on human medicine that is safe for cats and dogs. I think this book would come in handy in the event of an emergency after vet hours!!



2. The book is in great shape and is new, however, it took too long to receive it & I wouldn't purchase another book from a1 because of the length of time it took to recieve it.



3. I've been looking for a book like this. I'm a nurse and was taught many interventions to assist a patient in crisis in addition to contacting a physician. That's nursing for humans. Now I have the information to assist my pets. This book covers every thing from minor first aid to life saving interventions. It's organized so that you can find what you need quickly. Its written in such a down-to-earth style that I know what to do within a paragraph or two.



4. This is a wonderful movie. Exquisitely executed in period costume, with a world class orchestra. It was delightfully free of uneccessary verbage and saturated with eroticism. Sandra



5. I own Animal Companions pet sitting service in Houston, Texas, and I found this book a must-have for pet professionals. Laid out in a format similar to a Physician's Desk Reference, you may easily and quickly (and time is always of the essence with a sick pet!) look up information based on presenting symptoms.
   
   It is an amazing supplement to hands-on first aid training. I immediately purchased a copy of this book for myself and each of my employees, to keep in our cars right next to our pet first aid kit. I also picked up a copy to keep at home, for my own furry loved ones.

5 comments about The Power of Positive Dog Training.

1. If you're training your dog, this is a good book to read; it promotes using positive reinforcements instead of scaring the animal with punishment. It works best too, that is if you like your dog to respect you and not fear you.
   
   It includes Bonus pages on Tricks with lots of instructions too.



2. I highly recommend this book, I had dogs previously to purchasing it, but I still learned a lot about dog behaviour and training tips. I would love a training session with the author she is highly knowlegable and it is clear she has a genuine love of dogs.



3. I was looking for a book to rehab abused dogs and this was the best I could find..no instructions for re-habbing.



4. We have a Jack Russell Terrier - Stan. This book introduced me to a completely "new" way of thinking around how to best train Stan. The positive approach has been SO MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE! I highly recommend this book to anyone with a dog, even if there are no significant behavior problems.



5. Pat Miller writes in a friendly, easy-to-read style while still conveying the best of information. If you're new to Positive Reinforcement training, Miller's book explains the most important stuff, but the majority of the book is a step-by-step obedience plan for your pet. Well done!

5 comments about Puppy Intensive Care: A Breeder's Guide to Care of Newborn Puppies.

1. If there is any one book that any breeder, whether it is an occasional family pet or professional breeder, this would be the one to have. It goes into details and is easily understood. It contains information that may save a puppies life. I have had my book for sometime and recently ordered one for my grandson. He lost an entire litter which I believe could have been saved if he had read this book.



2. This is the second book by this author that I've purchased. She does a wonderful job with her whelping and puppy books. If you ever get a chance to read one of these, or go to one of her seminars, DO IT!!!



3. This book should be around for anyone who is expecting puppies. The book and DVD have great hands on information for tube feeding or hydrating a in needs puppy. The guide to setting up the puppy box and getting the supplies ready is very helpful.



4. An essential guide that covers many aspects of whelping & new born pups. Keeps it simple for quick refference in time of need. Comes with a bonus cd to help put everything together...highly recomend to the first time or novice breeders.



5. Puppy Intensive Care: A Breeder's Guide to Care of Newborn Puppies
   I am an RN and also a dog breeder and I found this information essential. I especially like the organization and I could use it easily to make a shopping list of things I needed to add to my whelping area. I found most of the items by shopping Ebay for deals as suggested too. A must if you have fading puppy syndrome problems.

5 comments about Aquarium Corals : Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History.

1. This is a good book basic general knowledge. It covers corals well with out getting to in depth.



2. I bought this book for my fiance who just recently set up a 20 gallon aquarium. This book has been perfect for all his questions!



3. I bought this book for researching corals for an art project. As a botanical illustrator, I found the information to be extremely informative and well organized. There are plenty of pictures to help you identify specific species. The pictures are fabulous! Art aside, if I were to have a coral aquarium, this would be a must have book.



4. This book is quite informative even for a beginner. The in-depth knowledge expressed is invaluable, it is understandable as well as being scientific. I highly recommend this book for the begginer as well as the advanced aquarist who desires information regarding coral animals & husbandry, algae, and water chemistry.



5. Covers almost everything what you need to know about corals in reef tank.
   very valuable and helpfull as an identification guide, source of information about preferred conditions and requirements of corals in your tank, taxonomy etc etc. very valuable part about coral's health and diseases. also nice chapter explaining role of zooxanthellae, energy budgets, coral's feeding, anatomy, reproduction etc etc etc...
   
   this is just "a must" position in everyone reefkeeper library.

5 comments about The Perfect Puppy : How to Raise a Well-Behaved Dog.

1. This is a MUST for all owners of puppies - in fact it should be issued to all intending owners prior to bringing that little bundle home. The book is extremely well organised, the writing clear and well illustrated, the content sound and up-to-date, in fact we can't fault this book given it's intended audience.



2. A good reference book and easy reading. Most information very helpful.



3. you can not go wrong with this book, you need patience but it is very rewarding at the end of the training. My pup is very good at 16weeks old.



4. This book is full of GREAT information and was very helpful since I had never owned a dog before. But I only gave it three stars because it doesn't have anything that you can't already find online for free! It will be a good reference if I am in a training situation and the power goes out, thus limiting my access to the internet!



5. This book has all you will ever need to have the perfect dog.
   No silly psycho-babble....just common - every day plan to have a great dog!!

5 comments about All Things Bright and Beautiful.

1. Is there anyone who read ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL and who didn't rush right out and buy this one next? I didn't think so. I gave the first one a rave review, and rightfully so, but somehow I don't recall enjoying it as much as I did this one. He's an amazing talent on so many levels. Read the real reviews by the real reviewers. They're all true. This man lived in the moment, and he enjoyed all in life that is enjoyable.



2. We listened to this book on a trip and wanted to keep driving so it wouldn't end! It was a collection of Mr. Herriot's adventures as a country vet in England, and was so delightfully written. Having lived with the various ailments of large animals, the occasional realistic descriptions of ailments did not bother us. Someone not accustomed to large animals and their care, might find it too descriptive. We enjoyed the book immensely and hope to hear them all!



3. James Herriot (not his real name) has given us a series of wonderful stories about all creatures the big and the small. Even if you hate these kinds of book you are bound to find one of the stories that you like.
   
   My personal favorite is story of Mrs. Donovan the town busybody and amateur vet.
   Wonderful collection



4. I read his books as a teen and loved them. Bought the whole set for my grandsons, [teens]. They laughed until they cried. [so did I].



5. it was the first james herriot and i love the others.

5 comments about National Geographic Complete Birds of North America (National Geographic).

1. This book has excellent content, but the first printing had the stiff binding that wouldn't allow the book to open fully, making it very difficult to read. The second printing has a more flexible spine where the pages are just stuck to it. After four months of very casual use, the pages began falling out. This is the poorest bound book that I have ever seen.



2. Birdwatchers,hello! I am an 8-year old birder. If you love birds and need some good information 'Nat Geo's Complete Birds of North America' has great info on behavior, identification and other important bird stuff! It is the first book I look at if my family or a friend describes a bird they saw today.
   
   I reccomend this highly, and you can buy it at almost every bookstore or library.



3. The single most noticeable thing about this book is how poorly it was manufactured. The spine seems to be made from steel making it impossible to ever fully open the book and an exercise in frustration to read. This problem is greatly exacerbated by the fact that the text runs way down into the deep dark recesses of the crevasse created by the horrible binding. The actaully printing however is very good. The pictures are clear with good color and the paper is of high quality. This makes it even more of a shame that the binding is so bad.
   
   The actual content of the book is quite good. Most of the illustrations were taken from the National Geographic Field Guide as were the maps. The maps have been increased in size which is a definite help. Every species accepted by the ABA is covered with its own write-up. Not surprisingly, some of the rarer species receive much less of a write-up then the regular ones.
   
   In the end I believe that the poor production qualities fatally flaw the book and can only recommend to the bird book obsessed like myself.



4. Well written, good information, well organized. Not a field guide but one of the best reference books I've seen.



5. In typical National Geographic fashion, this book is excellent. It is extremely comprehensive with outstanding artwork. This is a must have for anyone who enjoys birding. You should also buy the National Geographic Field Guide to Birds of North America as an easy to carry companion.