2 comments about The Miniature Pinscher: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet.

1. I bought this book for a family member who has a miniature pinscher. They have read it and told me that it's a very informative book and has helped them with training their dog and other things as well.



2. Just take a look at the cover. Aren't Miniature Pinschers (also known as Min Pins) adorable?
   
   I had a two-fold reason for reading this book. I'm writing a novel where some of the characters have dogs (a Min Pin, an Italian Greyhound, and a Keeshond). So I'm doing research on the breed for my book. Currently we don't have a dog of our own. That might change, so I'm reading these books also to aid on which dog would be best for us (though odds are we'll go to the shelter and find a wonderful dog).
   
   This is the best book I've read out of the dog books. Rose Radel is an interesting writer, and does a good job of keeping one's attention. In other words, I enjoyed reading the book just as a book.
   
   The information is also very helpful and useful. It warned me that Min Pins are barkers, and to try to train them would make them less useful as a guard dog, which they are good at. I also learned a good tip that one should not call a dog (I think this advice is for all dogs) to discipline it, or your loyal friend won't come the next time you call.

1 comments about Crested Geckos: From the Experts at Advanced Vivarium Systems.

1. excellent book, great photos to help id all these fancy terms people are giving the new color varieties being produced

2 comments about Jumping for Kids.

1. Great book for kids. I got this for my daughter who didn't know how to jump her horse. The book helped her a lot. Easy to read, has perfect instuctions. Book in new condition. Great buy.



2. this book is a great refrence and covers all aspects of learning to jump safely. it has lots of great pictures and illustrations and has excercizes and courses you can try at home. you can learn about showing, cross country and even teaching your green horse to jump and solving common issues. a great all around jumping book that is even perfect for teens and adults- not just kids! i strongly reccomend it.

2 comments about Taming and Training Lovebirds.

1. This book is titled taming and training lovebirds, yet only 6 of the 92 pages are dedicated to this topic! If I wanted a book on basic care, basic information or anything other than taming and training this may have been an informative book but since I have already read 15 other books (not exagerating) on those topics, this book was useless! Regardless of reading level this book does not provide what it promises and I highly do not recommend this book.



2. The book had a lot of diferent chapters and beatiful pictures in it.It told what kind of fruit lovebirds can eat.It told about what kind of toys were dangerous to lovebirds and about nesting boxes.This is the best lovebird book I ever read.

5 comments about Why We Love the Dogs We Do: How to Find the Dog That Matches Your Personality.

1. i found the book mildly entertaining for a rainy afternoon but i would highly caution anyone who doesn't know that much about dogs not to take his advice without more info from another source. i grew up with a variety of different breeds and i have to strongly disagree with a lot of his "experience". i took the personality test just for fun and discovered that i am reccommended an airedale and a whippet. any dog expert would know that those are two high energy dogs that need lots of exercize. i do well with my great dane (by the way which wasn't even an option for my personality according to his book) i like low energy, low maintentence dogs for my lifestyle. his personality test was lacking in these areas.
   if you take this test and do find the "perfect" dog for your personality i think that you're a very lucky and uncommmon individual. for the rest of us i think we should use a more scientific approach and get a good dog breed book that is actually informative and helpful.



2. I found this book to be a lighthearted yet informative read amongst the many different books I perused when trying to decide what breed of dog to share my life with. As a previous dog owner and trainer, I found his "groupings" interesting and pretty accurate, dog-personality-wise, and while the human personality test is perhaps a bit simplified, it nonetheless gets you to a useful conclusion about yourself that you can use to choose your breed. My husband and I were surprised at the breed category we ended up best fit for, and after having the dog we chose from that group for a year, we have found that the author's recommendations were pretty accurate for our likes and dislikes.
   
   I will say, however, that this should not be the only source you read to choose what breed you want to adopt. Do read a more "scientific" book that goes further in-depth on what to expect from specific breeds, and probably also read a book written specifically on your final choice BEFORE adopting. Lastly, keep in mind that dogs are still animals, not humans, and to some extent have their own personalities regardless of what breed they belong to. As long as you have a sense of humor, living with a dog (whatever you choose) will be an enjoyable adventure.



3. There are one million dogs in the US who have been named as beneficiaries in their owners wills. What does this observation suggest? Since Americans don't typically bequeath their hard earned fortunes to any but family members, perhaps it means that often we REALLY treat our dogs as family. Since they obviously weren't born to us, perhaps it resembles a good marriage.
   
   Contrast this love-filled fact with the less sanguine observation that nearly half of all puppy adoptions never make it through their first year. What makes the difference?
   
   Coren's contention is that when the puppy's personality is compatible with that of their human "parents" the relationship works; when incompatible, the odds of early divorce is much higher.
   
   So how can we improve the odds? Coren's answer is the same one that has made dating services successful. Both of you take a personality test and will do the matching for you. Many believe dating services work, I have no opinion, but Coren's approach assumes that it will work when applied to owners and dogs. So, how does it work?
   
   It's as elegant as it is simple. Coren has already done all the hard work. He's conducted a large scale study of dog personalities organized by AKC breed types with an eye toward matching them with the results of commonly-used human personality tests. Then to complete the job he provides a brief and simple personality test that you can take and score in about fifteen minutes.
   
   So, with your personality type in your left hand and the dog type listing in your right hand, lay one over the other, so to speak, identify the groupings that are most compatible with your personality profile, and start calling vets and breeders. Okay, there's a little more to the matching process than this, but really, not much more.
   
   If this was all there was to the book, I'd have been glad to read it. I've had a long term interest in dog testing in general and dog personality testing in particular. But there's much more. To help convince us that the approach works, I lost count at some point but there are literally dozens and dozens of vignettes about the famous and not-so famous people and their dogs. In each case we are treated to an often thoroughly researched personality analysis which he then compares to the dog personality type and ties it all together with an assessment of whether the match was made in heaven or somewhere else.
   
   Actors, actresses, historical figures, presidents - lots of presidents - poets, authors, and on and on. Not to the point of boredom, mind you. Never that. In fact, while reading the final vignette, I seriously hoped for an epilog with at least one more of these little stories. I got hooked.
   
   "Why We Love the Dogs We Do" is a good read, a very good read. It's worth a read... read it.
   
   EPILOG
   Both my wife and I took the personality test and were surprised to learn that Newfies, which we have long had and loved were not on our recommended list. The matchmaking test was spot on for typifying the personality of our breed but, we believe, missed the target on capturing who are. Sadly this fact lost a star on the rating.



4. Bought this book several years ago and thought it was great. Considering the dogs I have had in the past, it was dead on in why I thought they were great or why I couldn't wait to get rid of them as fast as possible. Unless it's a rescue dog as I have now, which is a terrior mix, I will definitely go back to this book time and time again as a reminider for the breed that is appropriate for me.



5. The classification of dog "types" didn't resemble anything I've learned in other books on dog breeds. I'm not aware that dogs are either clever or friendly, but not both at the same time.
   How would one choose a pet? Let's see, do I want a stupid friendly dog, or a dog who is very clever but aloof and indifferent to me?
   
   A big disappointment was the section where the author shared his intense dislike of cats and their owners. What does this have to do with the title and theme of his book and why should any of us care?
   Dr Coren, for unknown reasons, finds it necessary to express his admiration and love of dogs by bashing cats with the same old tiresome comparisons that are always unfavorable to cats.
   If this was necessary, then why not include a chapter listing all the ways that guinea pigs, gerbils, parakeets, and tropical fish fall short when compared with dogs?
   Better yet, let's have an expert on rabbit breeding write a book about taking care of rabbits, and then include a chapter describing the faults and inadequacies of dogs?
   After reading much of this book,I find it hard to believe that Coren really likes any animals. I wonder whether he needed additional ncome and thought he had a new angle for a dog book.
   
   As a lover of both dogs and cats, I have no trouble realizing that they are two different species that require no comparisons.
   The author's decision to share the story of the woman who seemed indifferent when her cat went missing is supposed to prove that even people who choose cats for pets, don't really love them the way the author loves dogs. Is Coren really unaware that there's a surplus of uncaring PET owners who neglect dogs as well as cats?
   I don't know what Coren's grudge against the cat owning woman in his book is all about, but it tells us nothing about what cats are like as pets!
   
   Coren thinks cats are seldom seen during the day. He would enjoy meeting my cat, who along with our dog, greets people at the door, follows us from room to room and cuddles with us on the couch at all times of the day or evening.
   Mr Coren, let the real dog and cat experts write the books.Your time would be better spent developing some insight into your own anger and resentments.

No comments about English Setters (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

5 comments about People, Pooches and Problems: Understanding, Controlling and Correcting Problem Behavior in Your Dog (Pets).

1. This book is great, esp the set up, for eliminating problem behaviors in dogs. I loan it out twice a year. It is useful in a wide array of canine misbehavior which as Evans points out is occuring because you let the dog get away with it. Proper re-inforcement of the pack dynamic, crate training, shaping behavior... these are all in there. He tackles some pretty disgusting problems like leg humping, dogs that run the entire household etc.



2. This book addresses the importance of gaining the respect of your dog and how to move into a leadership position over your dog. So many obedience books & trainers discuss how to teach your dog to sit & down etc, but don't discuss what to do when your dog KNOWS the commands but chooses to ignore it. Praise/treat-only training works when you have a rabidly-eager-to-please dog and/or a person who naturally is a good leader or has good experience with dogs. But for the average dog-owner who I see allow themselves and their guests get trampled/mouthed/abused by their disrespectful dogs ("He's just excited!")this book could be a lifesaver for their dog that is headed for getting squashed by a car, or euthanized for biting a kid...for example.
   Anyone who thinks that training a dog is only praise & treats and little to no reprimands--then good for you that life is so easy with your dog(s)---the foster dogs I reform might: sit/down/stay/come for your treat perfectly, then precede to runover your kid and steal his toys/food and bite him if he resists and then maybe eat the mailman for dessert. Dogs need to know their boundaries.
   When the praise only type trainers can't reform out-of-control aggressive dogs, euthanasia is typically suggested.
   The last behavior expert I met who specialized in "aggressive/problem" dogs had never had to euthanize a single dog in 16 years of operation and furthermore has to counsel and help dog "experts" who can't control strong-willed dogs. I noticed her style of operation is essentially what is in this book --- talk and relate to dogs using their own language.
   
   Read this book, and recommend this book to other people with dogs.



3. I've been teaching obedience classes and training and exhibiting Toy Poodles and Miniature Schnauzers in advanced obedience for about 20 years. This book is always the FIRST one I recommend to dog owners who have a dominant or spoiled or aggressive dog.

   It is filled with practical, commonsense training methods that work just as well today as they did in our grandparents' days. Dog does good, he is praised and reward -- dog does bad, he is corrected. Perfectly understandable -- both by dogs and by kids.

   In my opinion, the people who dislike this book are those who don't believe in negative consequences for anyone or anything. (You usually see the results of this philosophy in their spoiled children.)

   "Old-fashioned," they call it. Well, it IS "old-fashioned." And it produces "old-fashioned" good behavior and respect for authority. Good old common sense is what it is, and dogs respond beautifully to it.

   Yes, dogs are perfectly capable of understanding positive consequences (petting and treats) AND negative consequences (a sharp word, snap of the leash, or swat on the hind end).

   Job Michael Evans' book is just terrific. I have a dozen happy, cheerful, well-behaved dogs to prove it, and as an experienced instructor and trainer, I highly recommend it.




4. Evans' training methods are midieval, at best. The current world of dog training boasts many methods, some effective, some not, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, rarely these days do you see any responsible, effective trainers supporting any methods of correction that include "swatting" or "shaking" your dog(s). For example, Evans advice on how to correct your dog when you come home to find he's had an "accident" in the house? Lead him to the scene of the crime and "swat" him....well, that's if he doesn't get it when you just growl at him. Has this dog been left for 8-10 hours with no other choice but to relieve himself in the house? If so, the owner should be swatted and re-educated, not the poor dog. In talking about teaching and reinforcing the long down, Evans advises, if the dog "stress-whines", "give the dog a slap under the chin and say NO!". Advising unwitting, uneducated dog owners to slap their dog when it shows stress??? Deplorable.
   
   This book does have a lot of good advice for dog owners; however, it also supports many negative methods....punishment....that have no place in the current world of dog training (and never should have, in my humble opinion). Unfortunately, although experienced trainers, like myself, will read this book (or as much of it as they can stomach) and be appalled, new dog owners, not knowing any better, will employ these methods out of desperation. There are better ways; my recommendation would be to do some research and invest in books that employ positive training methods that take into account both various temperaments of dogs, their instincts, and their basic motivational factors. While the methods may vary in effectiveness, certainly any positive approach is preferable to one that advocates such severe negative methods as are taught in Evans' book.



5. I've noticed a wonderful change in my relationship with my dogs, after only 3 days of practicing the methods in this book. The inciteful knowledge has shown to be the key to improving the relationship with my dogs and loving them even more.

2 comments about Training A Young Pointer: How The Experts Developed My Bird Dog And Me.

1. First, this is NOT a training book. There are many better such books around. It is ,rather, the short story of a total novice who gets the totally wrong dog for himself, a Field trial-bred Pointer to hunt grouse in the Northeast. Fortunately, he gets steered to some good professional trainers and after at least three long stays with them for his dog, gets things mostly worked out.
   
   It is an interesting book, but the training is not done by the author; moreover,he has no knowledge of what he's done wrong, either in training or initial selection of his dog, so can't make suggestions to others. It isn't at all impossible to train a bird dog yourself,but you have to do your homework and be more sensible than Healy. Well-written and worthwhile book, though, if you don't expect too much. 3 1/2 stars maybe, especially if you are WAY over your head and want to use a pro trainer. But NOT a training book.



2. Finally, a training book by someone who knows how to write. Healy does not claim to be an expert trainer. Instead, he narrates his experiences in a way that makes it a pleasure to read. In spite of his less than expert status, Healy recounts his journey in a way that resonates with anyone who's ever trained a dog or wants to.

5 comments about Living with Pugs.

1. Absolute best photographs of Pugs I have ever seen. Highly recommend book to anyone who loves Pugs.



2. This book is presented in a lovely style, with wonderful pictures. It's easy to ready and understand; informative.



3. This book is a must have for all passionate pug lovers. Great photgraphs and well written and informative text, an absolute delight



4. I have owned pugs for 12 years now. They are wonderful little dogs, but they do have a personality that is not for every dog owner. This book does a great job of presenting the pros and cons of pug ownership (Pugs are loyal, fun, friendly, and great companions. They are non-aggressive and get along well with other pets and family members. However, pugs shed a lot, make really funny and sometimes loud noises, aren't a dog to take jogging, and are pretty useless as guard dogs.) The photos are stunning, the information is factual and helpful if someone is trying to decide if a pug is the dog for them.



5. I have many books on pugs and this is the best of them all....Very thorough info and covers just about every topic on pugs you would need. The pictures are beautiful also. It is as beautiful as a glossy coffee table book with just pictures and super informative on top of that. The best and highly recommended!!!

5 comments about Rottweilers (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. I will keep this short. Having never been a rott owner this book has taught me alot. Very educational about rottweiler's. The book is detailed in most areas from breeding to late adulthood.
   
   Must buy for first time rott purchase.



2. I didn't learn anything more from this book than what I learned from my dog trainer. Don't buy this is if you are looking for something more advanced.



3. I BOUGHT THIS BOOK BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER HAD A DOG BEFORE AND RECENTLY PURCHASED A ROTTIE. THIS BOOK IS SO HELPFUL. THERE ARE ALOT OF THINGS I DID NOT KNOW BUT THIS BOOK EXPLAINS ALOT ABOUT THE BREED. THE ONE THING I LIKED ABOUT THE BOOK IS IT ALL ABOUT ONE BREED AND NOT ABOUT THE DOG FAMILY.



4. I never realized prior to now the sheer importance of proper care and training of a Rottweiler until reading this book. This book should be required reading for anyone considering raising a Rottweiler or who currently owns one. I actually felt myself doubting whether I can provide the necessary attention and fortitude that this breed requires. I have always loved this breed and the book precisely specifies why it should be loved and why the task of raising one should not be taken lightly. Every consideration for the Rottweiler is mentioned in this book, from purchasing to care and nutrition, to behavior and training. I thoroughly recommend this book for anyone considering purchasing a Rottweiler or if you currently own one.



5. I was given a full-blooded bitch and did not really know alot about Rottweillers except for the preconceived notions of their viciousness. With smaller kids at home I was a little worried. But after reading this book and discovcering what a wonderful breed these dogs are, I am no longer worried and our puppy is doing awesome and I am learning alot every day. The book has great information about the Rottweiller breed and what to expect as well as great advice and techniques for training. Nicely written.