5 comments about Pet Food Nation: The Smart, Easy, and Healthy Way to Feed Your Pet Now.

1. This is a good book to read to gain some more insight into feeding your pets homemade food. It has many interesting ideas in it.



2. I received this product dirty , with a lot of the pages stuck together, so I returned it for a refund



3. The beauty of this book is it is packed with solid information AND provided in a fast and fun read. I have read multiple books on this topic and this one is certainly the easiest to put into action. This book's cat wet food recipes are quick and easy to make and of course much cheaper than "factual premium natural" or organic canned. It's only a Sunday event of an hour or less for me to make and freeze the following week's supply. Many of the healthier ingredients (can't afford ALL organic ingredients, but aim for 75%) needed for the recipes can be found here on Amazon at a much cheaper price than I can get locally. I have 5 cats and a few years ago (thanks to the DVD extras on Super Size Me) started my own journey for healthier human and pet food choices. Thanks to About.com, I switched from Purina and Iiams (yes I was fooled by the hype) to Natural Balance and Castor & Pollux Organix Feline and their non-organic cat food. While I still plan to use those brands, I recently happened upon By Nature's Organics (also make less expensive Naturals) and now this is my first choice back up supply for canned and primary source for dry food. They do not use wheat, corn or soy (Newman's and some other "natural and organic" use soy or all 3). Although it is not found in this book, those 3 fillers are the most common allergens for cats, plus it is very challenging for their digestive systems to process those and can cause significant health issues. It is best to use oatmeal (try McCann's-yummy for people and pets), brown rice, and barley. I stick w/ the rice and oatmeal since it is readily available in my pantry and it is easy to make extra while preparing it for myself. I also use organic coconut oil (does not turn rancid), which has amazing health benefits for people and pets alike. Sure it's a bit of a time commitment, but after a while it becomes routine and what better way to express your love and affection?



4. I got this book looking for a solution to feeding my dogs food that I didn't see fit to feed myself. I was concerned about all of their nutritional needs being met as well. With this book, I found answers to all of my questions, helpful recipies and good information. If you are looking to step away from the commercial dog food, this would be a good book for you.



5. In Pet Food Nation Weiskopf gives an overview of the pet food recall of recent months, even calling it a scandal, which I'm sure many would agree with. She wants pet owners to be informed and educated about what they feed regardless of how they choose to feed their pets. This book gives a brief overview of the recall and her views on the healthiest way to feed our pets to give them the best shot at a long and happy life.
   
   Weiskopf's view on commercial food is that it is not the healthiest diet for our pets. She explains why she believes this is the case (explaining the use of rendered products and other ingredients) and talks about other options. While she recognizes there are many ways to feed pets...commercial, a combination of commercial and homemade, strictly homemade, raw, and so on...she encourages people to switch their pets over to homemade. She believes a diet of fresh and cooked foods is the most nutritious diet for our pets. And, if you do decide homemade is the way to go for your pet, you'll find quite a few recipes included in the book.
   
   While her preference is to feed homemade, Weiskopf recognizes that won't work for everyone. With that in mind, she goes into how to read a pet food label - what the placement of ingredients means, what those ingredients actually are, and what terms like lite, low-calorie, and lean actually mean.
   
   Pet Food Nation is a good book to read to get an overview of the current pet food situation and what changes you might want to consider making to your pet's diet as a result of all the recalls. Is it the only thing you should read on pet nutrition, different ways to feed your pets, or on this year's pet food crisis? Absolutley not, but it's a fast read and worth reading, especially if you haven't been watching the recall all that closely or feel a bit overwhelmed and unsure of what to feed your pet.

5 comments about Living With a Deaf Dog: A Book of Advice, Facts and Experiences About Canine Deafness.

1. I was recently found out that my great dane has extreme hearing difficulties and will more than likely be totally deaf within a year. I looked for books regarding deaf dogs. There were not many out there. I purchased this book and it was a wonderful beginning. I have gone on to purchase a pocket dictionary of signing and am working my own signs in with my dog. I recommend anyone who is just starting out working with a deaf dog to read this book.



2. The book was helpful and offered suggestions that I didn't think of. It was nice to hear someone's perspective on the matter.



3. I was freaking out when I found out my new baby(pup) is deaf. "Living With a Deaf Dog" was a life saver. I felt so more at ease after reading the first few pages. I also had family and friends that interact with Kiko read it. Kiko was my wild child and is now on her way to being a well behaved adult.



4. This book tremendously helped me understand my 3 yr. old deaf dog, Patch so much better. I didn't understand some of his behaviors and I could not find helpful books at the library. From the author's stories, tips, and advice, I have a much better understanding of what he goes through and why he exhibits some behaviors. I've had him for a year with trial especially with walking him. Since I've read this book, he and I have a much better understanding of each other. He is so willing to learn, the tips the author gave proved to be so useful! Great book! Thank you!



5. This book truelly provides an insight into deaf dogs and ways to assist ones communication problems. At last I have found a book that shares my awareness and provides deaf dogs with a chance in life for survival.

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.

5 comments about Classical Schooling with the Horse in Mind: Gentle Gymnastic Training Techniques.

1. Anja Beran has created a beautiful and comprehensive Classical Schooling Book. Refreshing, professional and with the horses wellbeing in mind. The book reflects her quiet, systematic, consistent and truly classical approach to riding. Her Piaffe shows her refined Portuguese background just as well in the beautiful photos as in real life. A true joy and a must for any rider!



2. I was so disappointed in this book that I returned it, which I have never done before. The philosophy of humane treatment of the dressage horse is great, and the anatomical analysis is good, but I really wanted training techniques and there was little of that in my opinion in this book. I bought Dr. Gerd Heuschmann's "Tug Of War: Classical Versus 'Modern' Dressage" and that is great -- has the philosophy and the anatomy that I need to take good care of and strengthen and improve my horse in training, and it was less expensive. I still need to find a good training manual.



3. Love this book! This book clearly shows how how Dressage SHOULD be ridden. This book along with Anja's video "Elegant Dressage Training" show how a correctly trained horse should look. I have become a great fan of Anja and keep her beautiful images of the horse and rider in mind when training my own. She is a great inspiration to me!



4. A "how-to" book on classical training of the horse and rider.
   This is the most amazing book on classical training/riding and the result of the author's 19 years of experience. Ms Beran first trained with the French Ecuyer Marc de Broissia for 16 years and was a friend of Manuel de Oliveira for over 19 years. This book motivates you to look for the mistakes within yourself - to be hard with yourself and gentle with your horse. This book is intended to open your eyes and help you to find the truth and your ability of being able to feel perfect harmony between rider and horse in all movements. Classical equestrianism is also summed up as "the ability to train horses in such a way that they follow the rider's will with contentment and self-confidence" also "the ability to train the horse according to its individual physical and mental potential". The illustrations are superb and an absolute must-have book for those interested in classical riding and training. The anatomy section helps the reader/trainer understand the how and why of what happens during the horse's movements. Absolutely stunning.Classical Schooling with the Horse in Mind: Gentle Gymnastic Training Techniques



5. First read Dr. Heuschmann's "Tug of War" and then Ms. Beran's "Classical Schooling". Then think. Then get on your horse. Please: in that order.

5 comments about Getting in Touch: Understand and Influence Your Horse's Personality.

1. This book was a waste of my time and the paper it was written on. It goes into great detail on how the shape of a horse's head, size and position of facial features, and hair swirls on the head influence a horse's behavior and mental processes. This is nothing more then equine phrenology and physiognomy both of which were dicredited in humans by the midpart of the 20th century. In the case study section, Linda Tellington-Jones carefully noted several cases where one set of features completely contradicted another. As for her so-called 'statistical basis' for this approach, no real data was presented and I doubt very much if it was a true double-blind experiment. If you want a book on equine behavior, get something else this was awful. The TTouch training section was a very short section at the end so if you want this book for that, get something else. The only even slightly redeeming quality to this book was the beautiful pictures of horses. It would make a pretty good reference book for an artist as there are many good closeup photos of various horse head features. As for learning how to train a horse or get any insight into equine behavior, this book was a complete non-starter and you'd be wasting your time purchasing it.



2. I initially purchased this book 4 years ago. We were in the process of looking for a horse, but had no experience. Our first purchase was based on what the sellers stated about him...ie. "calm, easy to ride." Turned out they were not very truthful. In this book, you will soooooo much valuable information on how to find the type of horse your looking for based on physical attributes of the animal. Did you know the number and placement of swirls on a horses head and body can affect his temperament? Using Linda's physical evaluations has enabled us to buy, not one, but 3 PERFECT horses for our family. I still consider myself "green" when it comes to horses, but after a lot of practice, I am extremely confident in my ability to judge temperament, and conformation. Just a few months ago, I helped a friend who has much more experience find the perfect friend. She swears I'm some sort of horse whisperer, but unfortunately I'm not. I've just taken my time and learned to look at the horse from top to bottom. This book has saved me so much money and heartache by helping me eliminate animals who would be too much for me. This is a book for new and experienced people. If you already have an animal who's presenting a challenge, this book can help you understand how your horse thinks and can help you change his/her personality by introducing T-touch methods to help improve your horses overall well being. I now have two copies because I took my first copy everywhere with me and misplaced it. This book is THAT good!



3. If you are considering buying this book make sure you read all the reviews to ensure that you go in with your eyes wide open. Linda Tellington-Jones could be described either as airey-fairey mystic snake oil salewoman or unconventional horse woman. I guess it depends on your point of view.
   
   The book itself is rather amusing, and if you buy it with a bit of a spirit of adventure - much like buy a ouija board for a bit of a laugh then you won't be disappointed.
   
   The vast majority of the book looks at typing horse personalities by their physical features. This assumes that either a horse is affected by their physical features i.e. they may be more spooky because they have little eyes and can't actually see very well OR that a horse somehow manages to affect it's features through personality i.e a suspicious horse will have a screwed up little mouth because he makes screwed up little faces all the time ...
   
   Of course the problem with this is ... well... we know what happens when people make these assumptions about other people. "Everyone with a big nose is obsessed with money" or "all fat people are jolly". It just doesn't work like that.
   
   If you want a bit of fun, it can while away an hour or two comparing horse's pictures and their actual personalities and deciding whether they match the book's description.
   
   At the end of the book there are some TTouch massage type movements - as always you can't just have a description of the movement it's got to have some fancy name like 'bearpaw' or something.
   
   There is also a description of ground exercises - the most useful part of the book actually - in the last 5 pages. The dressage whip is called a 'wand' and they explain why and there is also a page explaining why they use a stallion chain on all their horses (I'm not convinced by that bit actually)...
   
   If you are after some serious science or even practical horsemanship, give this book a miss. If you don't mind the odd wander in wonderland and a bit of entertainment give it a go.



4. This book is not about doing TTouch on your horse. There is only a tiny section in the back about that. So why is it called 'Getting in TTouch'? There needs to be a summary paragraph on Amazon so people don't buy this book expecting it to be something it is not. I want my money back.
   
   This book is about reading your horse's personality from things like headshape and hair swirls.



5. I have to say that I've used TTouch on all my animals. Years ago when this was first being intoduced my ex-husband and I took our palamino quarterhorse, who had been 30 day wonder trained before we got her, to a private session. Imagine a freaked out mare, head held high, dancing and spooking at everything. Thats what Sugar was like. By the time we sold her she was steady and trusting again in large part due to what we learned at that session. It was absolutly amazing. I'm not saying this works overnight. Like anything good it takes time. Since then I have used it on everything ( and I do mean everything ) from dogs to my daughters snakes. And I have never seen it NOT bring an animals stress level down. I can't say enough about this. By the way that was 15 years ago. That should tell you something also. This has stood the test of time and been tried by thousands of people. Try it, you have nothing to lose. Better yet try it with you using the Centered Riding principle(Sally Swift) and I bet you get result that blow your socks off.

3 comments about Training Your Foal.

1. This was a great book for a first time foal owner. I could see how it would be useful to the "old pro" as well. Very informative, with tips and hints from birth to backing. I will be sure to keep it on hand over the next few years!



2. This book gave good information and was easy to read. This is definitely more of a book for beginners though. I wanted to get a bunch of ideas for lessons to do, and I did, but a lot of times I felt like the book just kept going on and on explaining the same thing in ten different ways. I would have liked the explaining of how and why you do each type of lesson to be more short and to the point. But all in all, I would have still bought the book because it did have a lot of good information.



3. I bought this book for my daughter. She lost her older hunter horse and decided she didnt want another made horse. She could never replace him so she wanted a foal and to raise it herself. Well Bella is only 7 months old and a handful but by using this and one other book she has already taught her to lead. Just a few minutes for a couple of days and using these techniques she has had small successes. this is one of the better books that I could find for it was easy to understand the directions and pictures. It is one of the better books to purchase if you plan on raising a baby too. John Lyons is other book that is a great one for guidance.

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!

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 Pit Bulls for Dummies.

1. THE INTRODUCTION TO THIS BOOK SAYS IT ALL.
   
   I told myself I'd never own a "pitbull". A friend at work does rescue work for this breed, and I decided to take in a foster pup. Never say never. These really are words to live by. I'm on my second foster pit, and seriously thinking of adopting one of them.(ok maybe both) This book has helped me come to that decision. I never take on ANY BREED, until I've learned what I believe is all I need to know. Don't just read a book though, talk to owners of the breed your considering too. I never knew a more cuddly, funny and amazing breed than the Pit. GO PITS !!!



2. I OWN THIS BOOK AND I READ IT IN THREE DAYS, IT HAS EVERY THING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT A PITBULL. IT ALSO HAS A LOT OF DETAILS OF THE LITTLE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW! WHAT I REALLY LOVE ABOUT THIS BOOK IS IT ACUALLY TELLS YOU HOW NICE PITBULLS ARE,AND HOW YOU CAN HELP THEM!!! THIS BOOK IS SO GREAT!!! IF YOU WANT A PIT BULL YOU SHOULD BUT THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!



3. Dr. Coile has immense experience and expertise in raising and training dogs for numerous canine sports. She offers an easy and fun to read manual for the novice Pit Bull owner and a handy guide for the ol' timers too. Great pictures, great advice, and important facts about our breed. Looking for books on the breed? Start with this one, it's a must have.



4. I own this book and have read it several times. It makes perfect sense that these are great dogs and they have developed a bad reputation based on having bad owners. A dog is a biproduct of their owner. We have seen the same thing happen with German Shepherds, Rotts, and Dobermans. This book was very helpful and there is no bias, only truth. The American Pitbull Terrier is a wonderful family dog when properly raised and socialized.



5. first of all, all bulldogs come from the same line (pits, english, american, etc.). What made the pits fight like they do is mixing in TERRIER BLOOD !!! Terriers are bred to hunt down little animals, rats, mice, etc. that is what they mixed with pit bulls to make them PIT BULL TERRIERS!!! I have a pit who lives with two other dogs, a cat, and a number of small rodents and birds that are our pets, and children; he is a therapy pet, a service dog, and a wonderful companion. I think you people in denver are not addressing the situation properly. Its not the breed you should be attacking, but the horrible owners who abuse them into thinking that they should attack. All the people in Denver are going to do is find another dog to use. There are plenty of other types of dogs that are much more aggresive then pits, pits are just cheaper. What about Presas or Cane Corsoes, bet you didnt check them, they are much bigger and more dangerous than pits.(Nothing aginst Presa or Corso folks, im just making a point.)
   Anyone who wants a breed banned is missing the big picture, the people who are training these anamails ! The people who are training them to fight are NOT the USA's finest to say the least, THEY ARE YOUR TRUE PROBLEM ! You could make a golden or a lab attack to kill of you try hard enough! DOGS, EVEN PITS, ARE NOT BORN TO HUNT DOWN HUMAN BLOOD ! IT'S REALLY CRAPPY PEOPLE WHO MAKE THEM THAT WAY !
   *my last final words are*
   "All creatures on earth should be respected"
   &
   "No matter how poor you may be, having a dog makes you rich."
   
   AND FINALLY- focus on the real problem, not the indivdual dog breeds, but the horrible people who train them to fight.

5 comments about Work Wonders: Feed Your Dog Raw Meaty Bones.

1. If you want to show your pets how much you love them,then buy this book and put it into practise,otherwise just open another can and ignore their health.



2. The loss of two of my 'shadows' - a fox terrier and a border collie - from suspected kibble issues prompted buying this book. Having lost four dogs in a month, with nothing in common but the food, I find it amazing that mine are the only ones with problems. My remaining dogs were immediately taken off kibble. They vary from a small BC cross to a German Shepherd. All have taken to real food well. With due respect to the ones rating it low after having had problems...I'd take a $2500 vet bill over the loss of a beloved show prospect and the loss of the last daughter of my old girl (lost to cancer in '06). They cannot be replaced - there is no future with them.
   
   This book is a good overview of the basics, the good things and the not good things (where it's pointed out DO NOT give wings to large breeds due to possible choking when they gulp without chewing). My sheltie shadow has had the biggest adjustment as it takes him a little bit to navigate the food.
   
   However there's benefits that go beyond health. Meals are a bit of a feeding frenzy with multiple dogs anyway (even when separated). However, when all have had a chicken quarter they lay down content, sleep far more soundly than when they'd get kibble. I don't envision feeding kangaroo tails as that's not a reliable source; and it's a little more difficult to find reasonable priced rabbit etc. But the immediate difference in the attitudes of the dogs after eating is marked. There's a contentment that is hard to describe but easy to see. They also no longer eat then look pregnant (but there's nothing wrong with the kibble?) and/or vomit or simply go to sleep and not wake up.
   
   Good reading, some good ideas. I *much* prefer feeding liver every couple of weeks as recommended here rather than daily...although I might go in between and do once per week with mine. The stressing of different kinds of meat was interesting as well. Am not quite done with it - have read quite a bit on the subject online as well.
   I wish I could go back and start this a month ago - Hatter and Fly would still be here. But for other dogs...highly recommend this method of feeding and this book as a primer.



3. This book should be essential reading to anyone buying a new pup or kitten. I think many vets should read it too...
   
   A simple and easy to read guide for feeding your pets based around sound scientific principles rather than faulty reasonings. Lonsdale clearly puts forward his case for feeding a raw diet. I found the observation charts from zoos especially interesting as they clearly prove the claims of 'stomach content' eating are false.
   
   No special supplements, no pushing commercial products just common sense backed by years of research and observations.



4. This book is specifically targeted to beginners. People who have been feeding raw for a while aren't going to find it that great but there's a wealth of information for the newbie. Easy to follow and engaging, covers all the practicalities involved with raw feeding from what to feed, sources for meat as well as information about WHY to feed raw.



5. I actually purchased this book over two years ago in a lengthy quest to uncover the mysteries of my dogs' health problems. Lonsdale's perspective is clear and simple for the layman. After much working with our vet we came to a middle ground on what is best for our dogs. This book is a reference book in our home and the cover is falling off. Great book for those who desire basic information on RAW feeding.