5 comments about The Well-Connected Dog: A Guide to Canine Acupressure.

1. I love the way this book is layed out. There are other great ones that also include nutrition, but this is the easiest to follow for accupressure. My dog's accupuncture Vet was even impressed. I was disappointed that there wasn't a section on ears, but they were addressed as part of other topics.



2. This book contains very good information and is useful. It could be improved by adding an index, giving page numbers for specific techniques mentioned in the table of contents, and giving written descriptions of how to find the points. It is not possible to precisely pinpoint the acupuncture/pressure spot with just the dot on a dog diagram. There are some typos that should have been caught by the publisher. Over-all a useful book. I hope they come out with an updated edition that particularly contains an index.



3. My copy arrived earlier than expected, and in excellent condition. Kudos to [...].
   I have found the book to be easy to read, and the diagrams are very clear, and easy to understand.
   I have already tried some accupressure on my little schnanuzer, and noticed some improvementin her pain level.I hope to improve on this, as I get more proficient with practice.



4. I am thrilled with the book the service was great and the amount of information in this book is overwhelming.



5. Well researched, superbly written and easily understood by the beginner, this is the primer for all dog lovers who are striving to improve their animal's health.
   Traditional Chinese medicine is a difficult conceptfor most Westerners, and the authors explain the basic principles in a manner that allows we "newbies" to start affecting change in their dog's health immediately after reading their book.
   I highly recommend this book to those who are searching for a more holistic approach to their animal's health care.

1 comments about Positive Perspectives 2: Know Your Dog, Train Your Dog.

1. One of my biggest pet peeves is 2nd edition books that change a few minor things about the first edition and rename it "2"; this is not the case with PP 2. There are many new things that build on Positives Perspectives. I highly recommend this for anyone who is interested in using positive techniques to train their dog!

No comments about Town & Country Dogs.

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!

5 comments about The Complete Idiot's Guide to Positive Dog Training, 2nd Edition (Complete Idiot's Guide to).

1. The author discusses positive training adnosium and yet she glosses over important points and techniques. Potty training is covered in a page and a half, which seems a bit scant to me in a book about dog training. This is not so much a book on how to train your dog but book on the philosophy of positive dog training.



2. I'm rating the book 3 stars because it does have a lot of good information, but also had several things I didn't like about it. I would buy a different book if I were to start over.
   
   The author spends far too long stating and re-stating that only positive reinforcement works and any form of punishment is bad. I already believe that positive reinforcement is a good method, that's why I bought "Positive Dog Training". In addition, she makes several bold claims about psychology that sound nice without any citation or ways to verify the claims.
   
   There is some contradictory examples in the text. She states that there are 3 fundamental rules of dog training: 1) Positively reinforced behavior gets repeated, 2) Ignored behavior goes away (the 3rd is not relevant to my example here). Later in the book, she relates the story of a dog that began chewing her shoes. Her solution? She gave the dog a reward the next time it took a shoe from the closet. According to her own rules, she should have ignored the dog, and certainly not given a reward.
   
   Another omission in this book that I found from other sources was utilizing a dog's natural sense of hierarchy in the training.
   
   There are a lot of pages to go through before the useful content really begins, but the useful content is there. I don't want to sound overly negative in this review, but there were certainly parts of this book that I found lacking.



3. While I agree with the author's emphasis on the positive, she is redundant - to the point of defensive - in stating and restating the argument. Being harsh or punishing a pet is bad. I get it. But this tome is very slow to arrive at practical, tactical "I can use this daily" advice. Dennison advocates that any form of negative discipline is counterproductive and to be avoided, often drawing human psychology parallels which, while inviting on the surface deny that Lupus canus and Homo sapien vary beyond the latter having opposable thumbs. Not all dogs share the same issues, and while I emphasize positive reinforcment for good behavior I have found that my vizsla responds to a sharp, unequivocal "NO" (i.e., entering a street; cat litter snack; paw on the table) without surrendering any affection. In due course, using an appropriate balance of reward and correction, she has learned her boundaries.
   
   As another reviewer admits, "I wanted to like this book, but, I didn't" and I don't think you will either. (And I would suggest that you can't aford, let alone carry enough treats to reward as often as the author advocates.) My advice: Look for a book or information on your specific breed (e.g., The Versatile Vizsla is superb for those owning Hungarian Short Haired Pointers); search the Internet; trust your vet and your (and your dog's) instincts.



4. I think positive training methods can be used for all breeds of dogs but I think the author has trouble presenting her book that way. She presents the info as if you own a herding dog and then adds on some quick line about what to do if your dog is resistant. She doesn't acknowledge enough that different breeds truly have different issues. It doesn't mean that you can't overcome these issues, but they are real. I didn't have to do training to prevent my hounds from barking and going crazy at the front door. They just don't do it. I have 3 and none of them has ever done this. My dogs don't nip. However, they will do anything to steal food and they don't want to walk next to me if there is an interesting smell (which apparently is always). These are the issues that are tough for me.
   
   Anyway, if you have a herding dog, I would imagine that this is a great book, but I felt like she didn't do a good job of making the book more general. I called my friend who owns a Sheltie and recommended it to her.
   
   For positive training books, I prefered Clicking with Your Dog by Peggy Tillman. I felt like she presents the info for all dog owners.



5. This book is very wordy with few photos so I worry that adopters won't really read it all but those that do will find a wealth of good information. For adopters that like to read and want know all there is to know about training their dog, I recommend this book. For those adopters who want to see photos of what to do, I recommend Maran's Illustrated Dog Training.

5 comments about Adopting the Racing Greyhound.

1. I am a first time Greyhound adopter and I'm so glad this is one of the books that was a pre-adoption requirement. I enjoy how Cynthia is so in tune with these wonderful dogs and she gives you the info directly from her heart! They said any book by Cynthia Branigan is worth purchasing, so I'm going to buy her other book on Greyhounds next.



2. This book was such a help as the breed was new to me. I knew nothing about the personality of the breed or what to expect. This book will help any one interested in adopting a Grey through the first months and the life of the pet. The medical information is invaluble as these are things some vets don't know let alone the pet owner. The book not only assists you in knowing the breed before you bring one home, but can greatly assist you in deciding if this is the right pet for you.



3. this book is a must if you are planning to adopt a greyhound for a companion...great information to help you make the right decision to see if a greyhound is the right "new family member" for you and your family.



4. Great book -- if I only had one book on the subject, this would be it.
   
   The narrative style made the book enjoyable for me to read (yet difficult to skim). The book offered me plenty of practical advice and opinion based on the author's experience.
   
   The "dummies book" is has better illustrations, but this book wins-out for its consistent organization and easy readability. (I've also reviewed the Dummies book on Amazon in more detail: 3 of 5 stars).



5. This is absolutely the best book to read if you are interested in finding out more about greyhound adoption. The information is clear, accurate, and very well written. Consider this your greyhound "Bible".

4 comments about Doxie Moxie: Little Dog, Big Attitude.

1. IF YOU ARE A DOXIE FAN THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!!! IT'S TRULY RIGHT ON TARGET!
   GREAT PHOTOGRAPHS AND WONDERFUL TEXT.



2. This little book is BIG on laughs for anyone who owns a Doxie or who loves dogs in general. Excellent photography and true-to-life snipets of what the famous Doxie's are all about. Great reading for all ages. Highly recommended.



3. How can you go wrong with a photographic book about dachshunds?
   Author Melissa Sovet has captured the long and short of the spirited breed. There are photos of doxies with bling, doxies being naughty, as well as doxies being charioted by working dogs.
   
   If you love doxies you need this book!



4. If you love Dachshunds or know anyone that does, this is the book to get or give as a gift! The pictures are absolutley adorable and funny - puppies, different colors, different poses, costumes - very sweet!
   The text, written as a "doxie" describes the dog very accurately and uses several quotes in just the right places.
   A great book for "Doxie" lovers and a great little "pick me up" book for anyone else!

5 comments about Puppy Training: Owner's Week-By-Week Training Guide (Training Book Series).

1. I bought this book before we brought our new puppy home. It was great for my 12-year-old son, who has helped train two other dogs and wants to be more involved with this one. The program is fairly regimented, so if you are more go-with-the-flow and less step-by-step, you might end up feeling as if you are not 'on track'. She does have a lot of tricks to help puppies learn but does not provide alternatives if her favorite trick does not work. The best thing about the book is it shows you how capable a puppy can be at a very early age. The worst thing about it is that it doesn't give you much insight into how your dog is developing and how to know, besides sometimes frustrating trial and error, if it is ready for a particular skill.



2. the whole family is reading this book chapter by chapter in order to train our new puppy. The book is easy to read and understand. More importantly it makes sense. A solid read for beginners.



3. We recently adopted a mini schnauzer so wanted to raise him the best we could. This is basically a step by step training process with the help of this book.



4. Out of all the puppy training books that I have read, this one has advice that I will use and keep handy to continue using. I have lived with dogs my whole life and training is not a new idea to me. This book however is easy to digest, read, and follow! I have had my new puppy for two days..so wish me the best of luck!!



5. Charlotte Schwartz still believes that if you let a dog go out the door before you, eat before you or allowed up on the furniture, muchless sleep with you that it will take over ruling the household.
   
   Dogs totally understand who controls the food - the ones with the opposable thumbs. If you ask for a few simple things like a sit before being fed who cares who ate before whom? You give up many of the pleasures there are in enjoying the companionship of your puppy/dog if you follow Charlotte's advice to not allow them up on the furniture or up on your bed.
   
   There are better puppy training books out there like Pat Miller's books - The Power of Positive Dog Training and Positive Perspectives: Love Your Dog, Train Your Dog. Much better training books for your dollars to spend on!

5 comments about Rabbits for Dummies.

1. Perfect for someone who has never had a rabbit. We have learned much!



2. As with all of the "Dummies" publication, this book provides very thorough, elementary information for would-be rabbit families. The imformation is broken down into chapters for ease of use. It offers insight into these amazingly complex animals, their care and distinct personalities.



3. This book covers every aspect of bunny care. Very thorough. I recommend it.



4. This is a good book and seems to have a great deal of information, but I felt there was a definite bias against people who raise rabbits as livestock and (shockingly) actually eat them. This is a book solely for pet owners, not for 4-H students, FFA students, homesteaders. I understand that rabbit fanciers probably don't want and shouldn't have to be confronted by instructions how to slaughter and dress "Fluffy", but I wish there had been something that stated that this was a "pet book" somewhere on the book's cover before I spent $17 on it. We have a loved pet rabbit, but we also have meat rabbits. If you want to learn about rabbits as pets, this is probably a good book for you. If you want a book about raising rabbits commercially or harvesting them for meat, you might look into Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits by Bob Bennett. He has had 5 rabbitries and has raised rabbits for six decades.



5. I've owned two rabbits before and I was shocked to find out how much has changed since I last owned a rabbit. The information I found in it was right-on. The behavioral problem trouble-shooting chapter is a bit slim, and the disease/health problems list leaves a bit to be desired. But the overall care chapters are superb and up-to-date on recently accepted practices.

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

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



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



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



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



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