5 comments about The Loss of a Pet.

1. Dr. Sife, is a wonderful man full of compassion. love and knowledge and heartfelt feelings for the Loss of a Pet. To read his book, is to know his heart and soul for he, has experienced the same in that we all bond and unify with our animals. God Bless you Dr. Sife!



2. I highly recommend this book for anyone grieving the death of a beloved pet. Dr. Sife gives very helpful information about the grieving process, and most important, reassurance that the pain one feels is very real, and not to be dismissed by anyone. Very well-written, insightful, with numerous photos. I would have been lost without this book.



3. I ordered this book the day after my two dogs were euthanized for some extra support. It is very informative and helpful. I think it would even help deal with the grief of a human relative or friend aswell. I would suggest it to someone in grief with a pet definately.



4. I operated a professional pet sitting service for eight years and this is the book that I always recommended to my human clients when their beloved companions made their transition to heaven. Dr. Sife writes with such compassion that he draws the reader in to assist with their anugish. Dr. Sife suggest many helpful things. From the very important stages of grief, to planning a memorial service, to offering to the reader ways to bare their grief until healing can come. Many books on pet grief are written but Dr. Sife's was pionner in this field. He is a practing therapist with a degree in counseling psycholoy, (Ph. D.). He specializes in pet berevement. He is also the founder of The Association of Pet Loss and Berevement.
   My best friend and I just have suffered a terrible tragic loss of Solomon, a young feline companion that died very suddenly from choking. The Loss of A Pet is a lifeline for our broken hearts. One final note: The Chapter on our pets going to heaven is so comforting. Thank you Dr. Sife for helping the reader travel down this dark road.



5. This book was very helpful to me during a trying time I had not too long ago. Do yourself a favor and buy it. I also read and highly recommend 'How to Roar: Pet Loss Grief Recovery' by Robin Jean Brown and 'Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet' by Gary Kowalski.

3 comments about French Bulldogs (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. I really enjoyed this book, it in real speak talks about the breed and details many aspects. It is very conversationaly and informative. Buy and enjoy!



2. I bought this book on a whim as I already have plenty of other similar books but to my delight I found it to be funny and insightful as well as interesting and informative. The authors obviously have in-depth knowledge of this lovely breed and will give the reader many chuckles as they comment on the Frenchies quirks and peculiarities. However, it is also an excellent guide for the prospective owner giving good, sound information (and masses of photos)on how to look after a special little dog.



3. This is an excellent resource for anyone considering a french bulldog. (I also recommend it if you just like lots of cute puppy pictures!) It's packed full of everything you need to know about your frenchie, with special attention paid to health and training issues. Please make this book your first step in acquiring a french bulldog. Proper research is key to finding the right dog for you!

5 comments about Excel-Erated Learning: Explaining in Plain English How Dogs Learn and How Best to Teach Them.

1. This book is for anyone who wishes to compete in obedience competition, become a pro dog trainer or has an interest in understanding the canine brain and how they learn. It's not for your average pet owner or first time dog owner. I enjoyed this book and it has made me a better trainer.



2. I was very disappointed with this book. It is certainly not in plain English, focused way too much on theories and makes it not very approachable. I was hoping to find practical solutions, not some professor talk. To some extent I can only blame myself: only a PhD can write something like that and then put "plain English" in the title. Next time I will make sure I check the author's background first...



3. This book is a must for anyone serious about training dogs. Scientific mumbo jumbo is streamlined for the rest of us.



4. This has to be about the worse book I have ever attempted to read related to dog behavior. It is a difficult read in that it is mostly theoretical statements with absolutely no practical suggestions as how to approach and solve dog issues. I threw it in the trash about 5 minutes after I began browsing through it.



5. Simply excellent. It explained in clear terms how and why many techniques work and where they might go wrong. As someone who competes in obedience regularly I would highly recommend giving this book a read.

5 comments about Angel Dogs: Divine Messengers of Love.

1. This is the first book in the series I have read, I also purchased the angel cats book but havent read it yet. The stories in the Angel Dogs book are very nice and I found them so comforting at this very difficult time of grieving the loss of a very dear dog. This book gives me hope that there will be good times again and that our dear friend is still very much with us and I pray he will choose to come spend more lifetimes with us. The book also helps confirm some beliefs or thoughts that I have had already and now I have the confirmation that I was indeed visited by previous beloved pets in my dreams as well as during wakefulness. The book helps give the strength to go on and offers so many stories I laughed and cried plenty through reading the book.



2. My book arrived quickly was as described and I am very pleased. Great book seller. Will use again! Thank you.



3. As a dog lover I enjoyed every page. Everything was as advertised.



4. This book was so good to read. I laughed and cried as I read each of the stories. I am now passing it around my job so others can enjoy it too. Anyone who loves dogs, lost a dog will love to read this book. This is a must buy and read book.



5. Recently we lost our Chocolate Lab "Moose" who was 13yrs old and reading this comforted me!

5 comments about Paddock Paradise: A Guide to Natural Horse Boarding.

1. Quality in depth instruction that helps owner to create a better living condition for their equine friend. Would recommend and have to anyone.



2. I read this book when a friend recommended it, but she said "You'll want to buy one for yourself, I bet!" She was correct. It is a book to follow in setting up your horse pastures in such a way as to stimulate "natural" horse keeping! It will be a book that I will want to refer to more than once, as my project develops. I think it is a "must have" book for people who keep their horses at home!



3. If not paradise, at least it gives more attention to the actual needs of the horse and explains why the track system might work better than stalls and pens. I am going to try it. There should be a way for people using this method to communicate with each other. You can ask the author questions but that is exorbitantly expensive!



4. Paddock Paradise is a book all horse owners should read. It's hard to change one's entire outlook on how horses should be kept, but it's worth it -- the way we have kept horses (stalled or confined to tiny paddocks) for so many years is light years from how they have evolved to live. Their feet suffer; their GI tracts suffer; their minds suffer.
   
   Read the book and learn from it. Think about it. Maybe you will not make changes immediately or completely, but over time you may find yourself returning to it again and again and finally being won over. Your horse will thank you.



5. Jaime Jackson provides a lot of insight into Wild Horse "Ideal" conditions. Pictures are great, and there are a few items which most people could incorporate into their facilities. A lot of what he recommends is not practical for most people. (Multiple electric fences, ponds, sand pits, burying calcium etc) Some recommendations can be modified. Use common sense to make a true "Paddock Paradise". His other books and DVD's were wonderful, and gave a lot more practical ides,so I was a little disappointed in this book. If one has the time, resources or natural lay of the land to make this work, it is worth exploring.

5 comments about Boxers for Dummies.

1. The book about Boxers has lots of information about the breed. Those of us who are unfamiliar with the breed, gathered lots of things that will help us in the care and nuturing of this wonderful animal! Who knew that big old grizzly looking Boxer was a sweetheart, full of affection and devotion! Great reference book to have on handle, especially if you're rearing a pup.



2. We've just become the owners of a boxer pup, and used this book before and after he joined our family. The book is very easy to understand and contains a wealth of useful material. It also has a lot of general sections that would be relevant to any new pet owner. This isn't a book you would use for hard-core research, but I recommend it for the average new pet owner as an easy to read reference. It was well worth the price.



3. I agree with one of the preceding reviews. Substitute beagle or French poodle for boxer and you have 90% the same book. I was looking for a little more insight.



4. I really enjoyed reading this book on Boxers. I am researching dog breeds before I commit to a new family member. There was a careful balance of enthusiasm for the Boxer and warnings of their specialized needs AND the responsibilites of Boxer ownership.
   I especially enjoyed the observations he made between male and female boxers, puppy training, and problematic behaviors.
   Even if I don't decide to own a Boxer in the future, this was an entertaining educational read that I would recommend to all.



5. Like most for dummies books, this is essentially a cut and paste of all of their other dog books with the word boxer inserted in place of dog. In a few cases it has stories of the writers experiences with boxers but this book is really nothing special. Try culture clash to get a better understanding of your companion.

5 comments about Get Connected with Your Dog. Emphasizing the Relationship While Training Your Dog.

1. While I haven't read the entire book yet, I have read parts of it and have also watched the DVD. I respectfully disagree with reviewer Swissy Mom; her review very nearly prevented me from purchasing the book. I'm glad it did not.
   
   Ms. Aloff is using a method of communication with which dogs are familiar by nature: body language and space. I did not get the impression at all that she was ignoring the dogs' reactions to her movements and behavior. In fact, she understands that, under certain circumstances, dogs are uncomfortable with being handled and unsure (to start with) about what is expected. But this is a part of learning new things. Many dogs react strongly to their first collar or head halter - this is not so different. Some discomfort is to be expected. Movements and handling were performed in a gentle and caring way. All of the dogs in the DVD relax noticeably and seem to begin to enjoy the process as their learning progresses.
   
   I have a smart and wonderful but difficult adolescent dog. As a result, I've done a great deal of reading about various training theories/methods in addition to participating with him in a number of courses. While I understand that space management is important when working with dogs, this is the first comprehensive guide I've found that uses this as a foundation for training, offering individual exercises and a step-by-step approach to each of them, including various key movements/behaviors in your dog that should influence your responses while you help him/her to understand what you want him/her to do. These are called out in the DVD as well. There are also modifiers for dogs who are timid or excitable.
   
   What is most encouraging to me about this approach is what Ms. Aloff describes as getting your dog to use his/her forebrain (thinking about what your communication means and how he should respond) rather than his/her hindbrain (reacting to what you are doing - whether that is offering a treat as a lure or giving an appropriate physical correction). Please note that I am not disparaging other training methods. It is simply useful to have a means of communication with dogs that they already understand on many levels. I'm hopeful this will enable me to teach my dog that he is capable of self-control and help us learn to read and understand each other better. I'll update this review when I have more information.
   
   The only minor negative thing I can say about this is that the DVD I received is a bit grainy. Perhaps that is just my copy, or even my old DVD player. But the content is an extremely helpful complement to the book.



2. Although some readers of the "pure positive/got-a-problem-put-a-cookie-in-it" bent may be offended, ( oh, boo-hoo) this book offers really good thinking and knowledge about dog training in the real world, and some wonderful explanations of why methods work.
   My wish was for better organization, as I found the proliferation of different fonts to be distracting and annoying, and the chapter organization lacking. Every paragraph seemed to have its own chapter heading in yet another frilly font. There are nuggets of gold in this book, but it takes some sifting to find them. I would love a second edition that is cleaned up in the editing department. Some really basic errors in spelling and syntax mar the read, and the case histories are too vague and not helpful. I suspect Ms. Aloff is a terrific trainer, and she has put a great deal of thought into why she does what she does and why it works. Its taking me twice as long to read it as I'd like because I have to keep skipping through irrelevant stuff like "How long have you been training dogs? and "What titles have you put on dogs?" in the client intake forms. I don't care. I want to know what problem the dog had and how you fixed it. A simple narrative style would be better, for me.
   I also found the photos less than helpful, and they take up a lot of space. One, which takes up most of a page is of a person wearing a cute saying on her tee shirt. I'd rather see a drawing, photo or diagram of how to hold a collar or how to face a dog.
   Still, its really good dog-thinking and pretty darn good writing and I will use it and refer to it often.



3. For the past 12,000 years of human history, domesticated dogs have been man's constant companion, helper, and occasional food source. Dogs come in an immensely diverse profusion of breeds, sizes, and dispositions. A professional dog trainer specializing in canine problem behavior, Brenda Aloff has produced "Get Connected With Your Dog: Emphasizing The Relationship While Training Your Dog" a book/dvd combination training manual that will teach dog owners how to use the subtle language of the body to direct (or redirect) their dog's movements; how to be both consistent and coherent in their interactions with their dogs; and how to identify, mark, reinforce those behaviors to be encouraged from those behaviors to be extinguished. The accompanying 90-minute DVD provides exercises and illustrative examples for building skill and confidence as a trainer. Enhanced with 286 black-and-white photos and an extensive \index, "Get Connected With Your Dog" is an ideal, step-by-step training manual for first-time dog owners as well as aspiring and aspiring dog trainers. A comprehensive, detailed, practical, experienced based, and thoroughly 'user friendly' manual from beginning to end, "Get Connected With Your Dog" is an especially recommended addition to personal, professional, veterinary school, and community library reference collections and supplemental reading lists.



4. In her book on Canine Body Language, Brenda Aloff showed handlers how dogs use exquisitely subtle body signals to communicate with one another. In her new book, Aloff offers handlers techniques to make their own body language a means of giving clear, consistent information to their dogs. Clear communication is the basis for developing relationship with your dog, Aloff says: "a communication loop becomes a relationship loop."
   
   Aloff's Get Connected protocols are based on respect for the dog's feelings and talents, and aim to help handlers of all levels of experience and ability earn their dogs' respect. Respect does not mean "dominance" or forced obedience. For Aloff it means that your opinion matters to your dog---that your dog feels comfortable with you (which Aloff says is less common than many handlers might think), and that your dog feels safe and is happy to be with you and to work with you. The protocols are intended to develop internal rather than external motivation in the dog, and to encourage "forebrain" (thinking) responses rather than "hindbrain" (reactive) reponses in both the dog and the handler.
   
   Aloff relies on her dogs to think and to problem-solve. It's not a matter of "believing" that dogs think, she says. She "absolutely" knows that her dogs think and have emotions and opinions. One of the greatest pleasures of the book and the DVD that comes with it is to see Aloff interacting with her own obviously happy and thinking dogs---especially Zasu, a little rocket of a smooth fox terrier with a mind of her own.
   
   Aloff has run into criticism from some trainers for not using "purely" positive methods. She discusses her training theories and her own training history in this book, her preference for clicker training, her refusal to use force-based methods, and the need that she's found in her practice to communicate with clients who need immediate help with their dogs and don't have the skills or the inclination to use clicker training. The book, which is almost 400 pages long, contains both theory and very detailed explanations of the protocols and exercises. The DVD shows the exercises in real time. Some readers have complained about the quality of Aloff's photographs, but to me they look like real life (or at least real life in a dog class) and are very helpful.
   
   Case histories show how the protocols have worked for both experienced and novice handlers and for dogs with varying degrees of reactvity. Wilson, a hound/Great Dane puppy, is seen on the DVD growing (literally and figuratively) before our eyes from a gangly and highly reactive puppy into a much calmer and smoother-working adolescent. What the DVD doesn't say but the case history does is that Wilson as a 12-week-old puppy bit his very experienced handler in the neck and that Aloff and the handler discussed euthanasia at that time. After much work with Aloff, the handler is now considering trying competition obedience training with Wilson. Another case history tells how a horribly reactive rescued border collie found a new, calmer relationship with his handler through long, determined, patient work with Aloff's protocols.
   
   For a handler like me, who has fallen over her own feet in dog class, and for a dog like mine, who from the age of eight weeks has been telling me "I'm so fast and you're so slow," and "I get it. I get it," exercises based on movement (as opposed to sit-stay protocols, which are absolutely and undoubtedly useful but drive me nuts)are a blessing. Aloff says that her intention is to expand the tools available to all handlers, so that the handler can help the dog "be the best he can be" and the dog can help the handler "develop her very best character." Positive training does both those things, and I'm very grateful to Brenda Aloff for her protocols and her teaching.



5. Get Connected with Your Dog. Emphasizing the Relationship While Training Your Dog
   
   I found this book to be a heartbreaking and disturbing read and view of the DVD. Far from connecting, Ms Aloff takes all she knows about dogs, their body language and space - and that's a considerable amount - and uses it against them. Throughout the book and disk she intrudes, hovers, manhandles and applies pressure to collars and necks in an attempt to control how and where a dog moves. Blatantly ignoring every sign given by the dogs, mostly puppies, and sometimes acknowledging but choosing to dismiss the signals the dogs are giving her ("I know he looks a little nervous right now, but he'll get used to it"), Ms. Aloff seems to defy her previous teachings of awareness and sensitivity in favor of a tight leash and a "relationship" based on the the human moving away only when the dog behaves - most healthy relationships would focus, one would think, on the arrival of a human being a positive event, not the opposite. "Petting" is only ceased when the dog stops moving, space is only ceded when the dog "behaves," and proximity to handler is consistently paired with what must surely be experienced as punishment, while reward becomes the lack of close dog/ human interaction. Based on what I've seen and read, Ms. Aloff has surely lost her way, and in the process has lost a fan.

2 comments about When Your Rabbit Needs Special Care: Traditional and Alternative Healing Methods.

1. As a past owner of a special needs rabbit (my bun recently passed away), I know a lot of "wheel reinventing" happens to owners of disabled rabbits. This book covers important care topics to give your disabled or sick rabbit the best care possible early at the onset of the disability or illness.
   I hope many will buy this book for themselves or other rabbit owners or vets. God Bless



2. This is the book that rabbit owners have been waiting for. It covers everything from the basics down to what signs to look for in case of trouble. It's extremely well done. I highly recommend it.

5 comments about The Everything Chihuahua Book: A Complete Guide to Raising, Training, And Caring for Your Chihuahua (Everything: Pets).

1. This book is great, however it does not mention breeding, coat color genetics or some of the issues that can arise with the reproductive organs (cryptos or pyometera) so falls short of an "Everyting" book, but for the average owner would be great. For the breeder or people that want to get into showing chis additional books will be needed. Still a good book for all owners to have!



2. Good Book for the money. Better than the "Chihuahuas for Dummies" book I bought just before.



3. Ok, let's start off with the fact that his book is written for people who have a little direction with dogs to begin with. This may be the case for the general population of America, but I'm just pointing it out. I did find a lot of interesting facts pointed out here that were not pointed out in other books - about pack behaviour, food issues, and such generally overlooked information such as costs of a realistic first year ownership. This book gave our family some great guidance before and after we adopted our two dogs.



4. This book is absolutely amazing. There is so much information packed into it. I would honestly recommend it to every person who plans on owning a chihuahua, or anyone already owns a chihuahua. I've bought quite a few books on chihuahuas and toy dogs. This book is definitely superior to all of them. This book is written so anyone can easily understand it. The training tips are very step by step. The book is pretty objective when discussing both sides of an issue. All in all, this book is amazing. I recommend it to everyone.



5. I AM A CHIHUAHUA BREEDER AND THIS IS THE FIRST BOOK I HAVE READ THAT GIVES NEW CHI OWNERS STEP BY STEP GUIDANCE AS TO THE CARE AND UPBRINGING OF THEIR NEW PUPPY. I WILL RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERY PERSON I SELL A PUPPY TO.

5 comments about Choosing and Keeping Chickens.

1. I really love the layout and color of this book. But some of the info is just plain crazy -- like the overly complex method the author suggests when using a broody hen. That's the whole point of USING a broody -- making it simple -- mama does the work. Their instructions are just nutty on it.
   
   A lot of the more interesting breeds were not listed, like Araucana and Ameraucana.
   
   Several photos were very obviously mislabeled as hens when they were very much roosters.
   
   But overall a nice book for beginner-to-intermediate poultry hobbyists.



2. This book has really great information about the many different breeds of chicken and answers many questions, such as:
   
   -Which breeds are gentle and docile/best for children?
   -Which breeds are aggressive or avoid humans?
   -Which are noisy or quiet?
   -Best or poor layers?
   -Difficult to breed?
   -Have special husbandry requirements (fencing, footing, housing, etc.)?
   
   This is a great book for those new to chickens or those considering a new breed. As we all know, "you can't judge a book by its cover"-- the same idea applies to chickens! This book can help families avoid choosing a breed for the wrong reasons (and thus avoid a negative experience with chickens). It also helps those new to chickens understand that not all breeds can live under the same conditions-- e.g. while some are happy in relative confinement, others will harm each other or be miserable when in close confinement and need to be allowed to range freely. Some chickens are cold-hardy while others are not suited to freezing winters. Etc. etc.!
   
   This book can help families find what they are looking for (a friendly pet, a great layer, a hen that will be happy being confined, etc.) in an interesting and appropriate breed.



3. Nice overview and great photography of the different chicken breeds. Has details on how chickens produce for eggs, meat of show.



4. This is my second favorite chicken book. Great basic info. on setting up for chickens, keeping them, and, most importantly, on what breeds are best for your particular needs/desires. Nice photos, and good descriptions. Unfortunately, it is a British book, so it doesn't include a few American breeds I wanted to read about, but that's a pretty minor fault... All in all, a very concise, useful book.



5. I love the book the photos are great and I found the information helpful. I would recommend this book the first time chicken owner or someone who has then for a while.