No comments about Sit, Down, Stay: Dog Training so Easy a Human can do it.

3 comments about Eastern Coyote.

1. This is thorough review of the literature on the eastern coyote. It is quite scientific, and not light reading by any stretch of the imagination, but so well written and well organized that it is readable by the intelligent, educated non-biologist. Parker's reasoning is always tight, logical and well presented....How refreshing that is!
   
   He discusses in great detail the ability of the eastern coyote to adapt to ever changing environmental pressures. Now larger than the western coyote, possibly due to introgression of wolf genes, the eastern coyote exhibits increased sociality, pack hunting, and, consequently, the ability to take much larger prey than the smaller, more solitary western coyote.
   
   The subject of the relationship between the eastern coyote and white tailed deer is covered in appropriate depth. Parker explains that this is not a static system, and we can expect the eastern coyote to continue to adapt to meet the challenges of the northeast, which the eastern coyote only recently colonized.



2. After searching for years for a book specifically about the EASTERN Coyote, I've finally come across it. I picked this book up several years ago, after becoming fascinated by the eastern coyote that roams in my local area of the Pocono Mts. Mr Parker has done an excellent job of laying out the facts of where these wild predators came from, their physical characteristics, and their natural history. Highly recommended!!



3. Gerry Parker has written a wonderful review of the state of the eastern coyote. His organization and exhaustive coverage of an elusive subject is much appreciated by those of us who strive to understand this animal and its ecological and economic impact.

No comments about Chow Chow: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet.

4 comments about A New Owner's Guide to Shih Tzu (JG Dog).

1. This book is written well, but it seems to me to be written more for "show" people. It contains much more info than the average "pet" owner would need or be interested in.



2. JoAnne tells of the Shih Tzu with good humor and gentle guidance. She truly loved the dogs and it comes through on every page. Great for a first-time Shih Tzu owner, like me. I have referred to the book several times since our Bailey came home.



3. This book gives you indepth information on owning a Shih Tzu including about breeding. I highly recommend this book. You tell that this author really loved all her Shih Tuz.



4. It's a good book if you're interested in house training, etc. It gives you many practical tips and such, I feel it could have gone more in-depth.

2 comments about Baensch Aquarium Atlas, Vol. 4.

1. Just as many other tropical fish hobbyists, I have quite a few books-primarily reference books-that I use to identify and learn some essential information about the biology, habitats, and behavior of the fish that I choose to keep.
   
   The Axelrod Encyclopedias are excellent, The Amano books on planted freshwater aquariums are also very good. When it comes to the one reference that I refer to most frequently-it is the Baensch series. They are throrough, contain much more info than any equivalent book, often in the articles that open each volume, and have the best combination of photos, habitat info, and scientific taxonomy on the individual fish specimens than are to be found in any other reference for the general public.
   
   Each new volume expands their usefulness, and although pricey-especially in hardback-they are worth every penny. They are a quality product and not only are indispensible in a practical sense of fish keeping, but add a range of information and credible knowledge that increases anyone's appreciation of this fascinating hobby.
   
   If you are a tropical fish hobbyist, beginner or expert, buy these books!



2. Although the preface of Vol. 4 says the species included may not, for the most part, be encountered by the average aquarist, I found several loaches included that we are currently keeping. What I love about the Baensch Atlases is the combination of beautiful pictures and comprehensive text descriptions. Anyone who is truly interested in keeping tropical fish, and learning about them, should have these atlases. Vol. 4 includes a large section on kilifish.

1 comments about The Complete Bichon Frise.

1. This book is just great for anyone who is searching for all the current and correct information on this breed. Whether you are looking for a family pet or a show dog, Barbara steers you in the right direction so that you can make an educated decision in selecting your newest family member! It is so important to go to the right breeder and know what you are looking at, and what questions to ask.Barbara's book educates you to do this. The photos are lovely, the history is accurate and interesting and the cover dog is just beautiful. Who wouldn't want to own one! Or be owned by one, after reading this book.! Barbara is a long time breeder and one of the original people in this country to own this breed and to bring this breed to its current level of quality. You can't own a Bichon without reading this book first

4 comments about KISS Guide to Living with a Dog.

1. Put off by the K.I.S.S. branding? Don't be. They hired the right guy to write this book.

   You will enjoy it. The book is filled with quality images, colorful subtitles, and negative space--resulting in a visually stimulating read.

   I bought this book for the couple who adopted Honey, a wonderful stray I rescued. But in actuality, I gave it to the people mainly for the dog's benefit. (Those of you who regularly place dogs in new homes may want to consider using this book for that same purpose.)

   Fogle demonstrates obvious concern for the physical and emotional welfare of dogs. A great part of Fogle's motivation is to make people better owners--for their dogs' sake.

   The book is thorough. From genetics to adoption dog temperment testing. From grooming and accessorizing to dog-proofing your home, garden, and yard. From playing to training to dealing with aggression. Then there are several chapters on veterinary care: things like giving your dog a physical with details like how to take your dog's temperature, pulse, and heart rates--and what to do if they are off by varying amounts. There's also a chapter on the special concerns of associated with aging canines.

   Veteran dog owners will also find the book interesting. Fogle begins with a plausible--but unsupported--opinion on the evolution of dog from wolf. Why do dogs have floppy ears, crowded teeth, and smaller brains than wolves? Fogle believes he knows.

   He moves logically into a discussion of how the breed types came about and how their original purpose shaped their builds and temperments.

   He discusses picking the right breed or mix and picking the right individual dog, whether a puppy from a breeder or an adult dog from a shelter. (I think he falls short in discussing breeds' drawbacks. For example, he doesn't mention that many people find the cute little Jack Russel terrier to be a terror.)

   He goes on to thoroughly, yet succinctly, discuss most of the issues a dog owner is likely to worry or wonder about. Being a vet himself, he devotes a lot of detailed attention to safety and health concerns, some of which will be new to even experienced dog owners.

   If you want to a give a book to dog owners, a book that will make them better care takers, a book that they will actually read, this is the one.

   Jeff




2. Put off by the K.I.S.S. branding? Don't be. They hired the right guy to write this book.

   You will enjoy it. The book is filled with quality images, subtitles, and negative space--resulting in a visually stimulating read.

   It begins with the author's very interesting opinion on the evolution of dog from wolf. Why do dogs have floppy ears, crowded teeth, and smaller brains than wolves? Fogle believes he knows. His explanation is very plausible. It's a little lacking in its understanding of the interrelation of genetic traits, but still good.

   He moves logically into a discussion of how the breed types came about and how their original purpose shaped their builds and temperments.

   He discusses picking the right breed or mix and picking the right individual dog, whether a puppy from a breeder or an adult dog from a shelter. (I think he falls short in discussing breeds' drawbacks. For example, he doesn't mention that many people find the cute little Jack Russel terrier to be a terror.)

   He goes on to thoroughly, yet succinctly, discuss most of the issues a dog owner is likely to worry or wonder about, and a few more to boot. Of course, being a vet himself, he devotes a lot of attention to safety and health concerns.

   It also seems that part of Fogle's motivation is to make people better owners FOR THIER DOGS' SAKE. I like his advice to owners that they let their dogs be dogs.

   All in all, this book is quite fine book and an especially good one to give to a new dog owner.




3. I bought this book for a friend (new puppy owner) and ended up going back to the bookstore a week later to get one for myself (owner of a 7 year-old Boston Terrier). This book covers everything you need to know, from training to grooming to feeding habits. The author, Bruce Fogle, has a great, reassuring tone to his writing that will make reading about your best friend fun and helpful!



4. My family and I are planning on purchasing a dog within the next 3 weeks and I felt it necessary to gain as much knowledge as possible before then. In searching for a book that would give me all the information I could need before and after the purchase, I narrowed my choices down to two books (this one and Dogs for Dummies). In comparing both books side by side at a local bookstore, I determined that this is the better book. In my opinion this book is easier to understand, is easier to look at (love the color pictures), gives more information (even gives websites where you gain more knowledge), has general characterisics of the dog breeds, has a "Info Sheet" for your dog, and is overall a higher quality book that the Dogs for Dummies. This has everything that you could ever need from a "Dog Reference" book, especially if you are new to the responsibilities of owning a dog. This book has it all. Without it, I would have never been prepared to give my dog everything it needs.

4 comments about My Fat Dog: Ten Simple Steps to Help Your Pet Lose Weight for a Long and Happy Life.

1. Although weight-loss in dogs involves common sense more than anything else, such as reducing caloric intake and increasing activity, this small book offers most of the tips that will ensure safe weight-loss in any dog. The book is easy to read, and is medically accurate. But perhaps the best lesson to be learned is not to let your dog get fat in the first place. It's easy to succumb to giving your dog that extra treat or table scrap when you see see those pleading eyes, but this temptation should be resisted for the long-term health and longevity of your dog.



2. The first time I met a dog on a diet, twenty or so years ago, I felt nothing but pity for the poor thing and scorn for its owner. How dare she enforce human standards on her sweet, good-natured lab? Sure, he was a little barrel-waisted, but so what? Let the dog be free!
   
   That was twenty years ago when I was a young pup myself and hated society's pressure on me to be thin. I have a bit more perspective now. I also have a dachshund. I've read that dachshunds are prone to back problems as they get older, and that excess fat aggravates this unhappy condition.
   
   But it's so easy to slip him a little extra dog food or drop a bit of my dinner into his dish after I eat. He loves people food. He also loves training snacks, and the mini-treats in the car, and the food stuffed into his kong to keep him busy when left alone.
   
   He began to expand. I knew I had to take steps. To paraphrase that notorious radio psychologist, Dr. Laura, "I am my dog's owner." I bought this book to help me be a better guardian of my pooch's girth.
   
   It's a very nutritious book! My favorite tidbit is how to know if your dog is really fat of just, ahem, "big-boned." And I also know how much food to feel my dog, and how to read dog food labels. No more dumping food in his dish according to how hungry he looks or how especially fond I am of him at that moment. I guess one of the things I need pounding into my head is that overfeeding is not the same as love. If I want my dog to live long and prosper, I'd better control his diet and give him enough exercise. The author gives lots of ideas on exercise for all kinds of different types of households. Just do it! It matters.
   
   Halfway through the book, there's a startling picture of a fat daschshund with my dog's face and coloring but a lot more pudge. I look at my dog and see his still boundless energy and healthy spine, and I know that picture is what I want to avoid.
   
   I'd like more discussion of different theories of nutrition, because a perusal of the Internet discloses fierce argument over this point, and it seems hard to figure out. But so is human nutrition.



3. This book is exactly what it advertises itself as - simple. But that does not stop it from being a very valuable source of information on ways to improve your dog's life. There are no high-tech, high-expense suggestions for how to treat your dog just like Paris Hilton treats Tinkerbelle. Instead, Ms. Garvey uses a straightforward approach, giving detailed and specific information on how to improve your dog's general living habits, from diet to exercise and much, much more.
   
   If you are looking for the new Atkins diet for your dog, steer clear. But if you want to help your dog improve his or her overall health for, as the title says, "a long and happy life," you should absolutely buy this book.



4. I am the author, and I hope you like this book. I was inspired to write both My Fat Dog and My Fat Cat because I had a fat dog, and I know, first hand, how easy it is to overfeed and underexercise your pet...and how it can affect your pet's health and life span. (Our dog is now 12 pounds lighter and lots healthier.) I tried to make the book fun to read, and offer a lot of ways to get your pet started on the road to good health. It can be done, and I want to help. Please visit me on the web at http://www.myfatdogbook.com, and share your stories.
   
   But I also want to tell you that I will be donating a portion of books' proceeds to organizations involved in rescuing and sheltering pets in the devastated Gulf Coast area. Every little bit helps.

No comments about Bugs as Pets (Animal Planet Pet Care Library).

1 comments about The Equine Body.

1. What a refreshing way to look at the body of the horse. I loved the colour illustrations and the cut and paste diagrams, though a little daunting at first. were much easier to put together than I first imagined and really help to learn about the body.
   I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about how the horse functions or as a wonderful gift to a horse owner.