1 comments about The Guide to Owning Chipmunks and Similar Species (Ww-515).

1. this book is awseome its sao detailed on how to raise those fun lil critters and it saved me alot of money i hope more peopole find this book and chipmunks to keep as pets.

5 comments about Cockatiels! Pets-Breeding-Showing.

1. First, let me say that I am not a breeder. I just have a little cockie friend as a pet. I found the book to be informative, but weighing very strongly to the breeder and less to the new owner. If I ever do decide to breed, then this book will be a great reference. However, I found that it didn't offer as much basic information in detail that a newer owner would like to have as other books that are less geared to breeders.



2. This is the first book I reach for when I have a question. It is good for basic pet owner information and indispensible for the breeder. A valuable resource.



3. Ms. Reed's book is a wonderful reference. While some may say it is dry or technical I find that to be untrue. I have had the book in my personal library for a number of years. I have several copies due to the wear and tear from use. My first copy is highlighted, underlined, and filled with my personal notes. I raise a considerable number of handfed baby cockatiels every year. I advise everyone who buys a bird from me to pick up a copy of Ms. Reed's book. What I really like about the book is the range of topics covered. This book is not a simple introduction to cockatiels that is quickly outgrown by the cockatiel owner. This is a book that will be useful for years to come. There is expert information to take the reader from pet owner to breeder and on to showing.

   While some of the information may have become dated (mutations), the overwhelming majority of the information in this book remains relevant and accurate. It has been a lifesaver many times over the past years. I look forward to the revised edition!




4. While I've had companion parrots for a number of years, breeding was something new....after talking to several breeders, my husband and I decided to try our hand at cockatiels. Prior to actually purchasing breeder stock, I visited a local pet store and purchased this book----it was the best thing I could have done at that point. The book is very good at explaining all the different aspects of breeding---I highly recommend it for anyone who is thinking about breeding. This book may not be for a companion cockatiel owner, with a lot of technical information that is not exactly an exciting read, but as far as knowing what you are getting into before taking the step of actually setting up an aviary it is a must have.



5. this is such a great book. it has so many quality pictures and has tons of information for the novice and advanced birld lovers!

3 comments about Australian Snakes: A Natural History (Comstock Books).

1. Mr. Shine has written an excellent natural history of Australian snakes that will be appreciated and enjoyed by those who are knowledgeable of this aspect of Australian fauna as well as by those who experience this volume as a first introduction to this subject. In fact, it is an excellent introduction to snakes, in general, except for its omission of the viper family(i.e., rattlesnakes, copperheads, etc.) which are not found in Australia. This large, softcover volume contains beautiful photographs illustrating just about all the snake species.For those who have never been exposed to the subject, it will spark an interest which will lead to further study.



2. This book is a must for anybody interested in Australian snakes. It covers in detail the feeding habits, sex lives, habitats and natures of all sorts of snakes. It is also full of all kinds of useful information and facts, and covers evolutionary adaptaions from a very logical and scientific view point. It contains many spectacular photographs and fascinating anecdotes which make it a very enjoyable book to read. Useful for anyone with a budding interest through to those with a full blown passion. This book is much more than just a field guide and I strongly recommend it.



3. As a recent recreational licenced holder for reptiles this book gave the information in detail on every aspect regarding Australian snakes.It has a fresh, relevant approach to understanding our native reptiles. I found it very easy reading. It will be a wonderful reference guide and Im sure will be used regulary not only by myself but the whole family. It kept the interest of this household from a five year old to mid 40's, including changing the attutude of my wife who always had a fear of snakes. She read the book.The book starts with the Anatomy of snakes through to their habitat, behaviour, eating ,breeding and relationship both past and present with humans. Each page contains beautiful photographs on equal standing with any other publication.Sensational. Good enough to purchase two books. One for constant use, another to keep on the shelf. From a subject that is difficult to find much written about in this detail (Australian Snakes), this book covers most information without adding in other countries that for Australian purposes would not be of much use.

No comments about Women & Dogs: A Personal History from Marilyn to Madonna.

1 comments about Kuvasz: A Complete and Reliable Handbook (Rare Breed).

1. After narrowing my breed choice down to the Kuvasz, I purchased this book for more information. It's very informative and breed specific and the pictures are absolutely beautiful!

   I highly recommend this book to any Kuvasz fancier and/or owner! There should be more books like it!

5 comments about How to Help Gun Dogs Train Themselves: Taking Advantage of Early Conditioned Learning.

1. This is an awesome book for novice birddog people. I highly recommend it, and give it to my (Pointer) puppy buyers. My favorite feature is that at the back of the book there are lists of things to remember to expose your puppy to by a certain age so that you'll end up with a stable dog. I pull it out every time I raise a pup as a sort of checklist. I agree with the majority of what the author has to say, and the author tends not to take sides (like on the issue of force retrieving). The book does have some info that is geared towards versatile birddogs rather than just Pointing dogs, which is fine as long as you are able to seperate what your dog needs to know. This book is geared towards the first year of puppyhood, not training... which is great as there are not a whole lot of books out there for this. Helps you to remember they are just pups and to just let them grow up for a while.



2. This book is different from the other hunting dog training books I've read. It covers a puppy's early development as a whole dog. Joan Bailey takes you from your puppy's first day in your home, through adolescence, to early adulthood. It will show you how to help your dog become both a member of your family and an excellent hunting companion. This book explains why a particular training method might work and how to develop a cooperative relationship with your dog.



3. This book is fine for the average person who has no experience with dogs. But for the average gun dog owner, the first half of the book is a waste of time. The last half does have some good ideas, but I would rather spend my money on something more informative such as the writings of Bill Tarrant, especially the Delmar Smith method. It's hard to argue with success and Smith's training methods earned him many national champions. As for this book, I found myself in disagreement with a couple of the training methods, especially gun conditioning. Overall, it's a good book with many great ideas for the beginner.



4. There are (too) many "how-to" sporting dog training books available, but I found this one to be different in how it focuses on first year conditioning of the pup rather than training, per se. I didn't agree with everything - not that you would - but I followed about 90% of the author's thoughts and found my dog's second year training to be MUCH EASIER. I think this is important if you have a sensitive breed that won't tolerate heavy handed training, such as mine. It also explained in considerable detail that way in which the puppy learns and this allowed me to sort of 'get inside' my dog's head to better understand how to do the conditioning and training so that he would be successful and the process would go faster and better.



5. This book is a far reaching work that not only addresses the training of Gundogs but also any family pet...of importance is the sections on crate training to facilitate housebreaking and teaching the dog that there are restrictions on his activities...I also enjoyed her views on conditioning and letting the dog learn at its own pace with firm and consistent training by owner...and letting the dog learn to be a dog before pulling from its littermates and throwing it into a new environment. I have trained two dogs with her methods and let 4-5 friends borrow it when training their pets...all have been great successes. My copy is dog-eared (no pun) and hilighted throughout...but a great book for those that want to try a softer method with great results.

1 comments about Encyclopedia of Aquarium Displays.

1. This book is in two parts. The first part of the book provides general information about setting up an aquarium, fish physiology, water chemistry, aquascaping, etc. This material is interesting -- particularly the material on different substrates and rocks -- but is not sufficient if you're a beginner. There are books that cover this material better. The second half of the book is where the book really shines. It has a number of biotope inspired aquarium designs that talk about the environment in which certain fishes live in particular geographic areas. It then talks about how to recreate something like that environment in the aquarium. It provides some ideas for plants, substrate, rocks, wood, and other tank decor. It also provides ideas about which fish to stock in the aquarium. Some of the fish stocking suggestions are a bit vague -- I would definitely supplement the ideas here with some research in a good aquarium atlas.

   The strength of this book is that it provides a lot of good ideas for aquascaping and it helped me to think more carefully about fishes' natural habitats and how their needs can best be met in an aqaurium. The book has lots of gorgeous photographs. Weaknesses: The book could be more detailed on stocking, as I mentioned, and is not a sufficient guide on its own. Also, some of the terminology is very British, and wasn't always clear to me as a North American. Still, as a source of aquarium ideas, I enjoyed the book and found it helpful.

4 comments about Tropical Fish (A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press).

1. I bought this book for my father who received a 29 gallon aquarium for Christmas last year. He was very excited to get this book and has read it cover to cover several times. He found the information very helpful in balancing his aquarium community.



2. This short, illustrated book provides a compact and useful introduction to tropical fish commonly kept in aquarium tanks. The book goes into detail of how to set up a tank, how to maintain it, and what fish to put into it. The book comes complete with color pictures of the various fish, their characteristics and the challenges of keeping them in an aquarium tank. The book itself is quite inexpensive, and worth the cost and time to read it.



3. I can't recommenf this book. It only introduces very common fish. It tells very little about the fishes and the pictures are bad too because they are not photographs but drawings. This book doesn't even look good in bookself because it's so small.



4. I am a newbie at fish and aquariums. I checked this book out at the library and looked at it and it was wonderful. Then I ordered 2 other books....I was GREATLY disappointed in them. This little books shows you pictures of all different fish and tells you if they are aggressive or not. Most books I have found dont tell enough about what kind of roomies your fish should have or what they eat. I think if you are a newbie you need this book. It is a nice reference! The best and the cheapest that I have bought so far! You wont be sorry if you buy it!Just gives you a sence of some place to start to by fish for a community tank.

No comments about CHIPMUNK (Pet Owner's Guide).

5 comments about Rats!: For Today's Pet Owner from the Publishers of Critters USA Magazine (Fun & Care).

1. My grandson loves his new pet rat, Roxanne. Unfortunately, his previously also-loved rat passed into pet heaven at less than a year old. I couldn't tell him much about proper nutrition or care, or how long they may live, so I want him to be better prepared this time. Roxanne will probably also give me a kiss for this. This book is brightly illustrated, with good instructions.



2. This is the most complete and accurate guide to caring for pets rats that I have ever read. It is a terrible shame that it has been allowed to go out of print. It is an indispensible reference for new and experienced rat owners. Nutrition, training, history, health...it's all here, along with some really cute photos.



3. This is just about the best rat book I have ever seen! I really think it deserves 6 stars, but that wasn't an option. :-) It is a exelent beginner's book, but even the most experienced rat owner can learn somthing from it. I only dissagree with Mrs. Ducommun on one point- she says to use 1x1 1/2 inch mesh for a cage. This is too big- a rat could get it's head stuck! Other then that, everything you need to know about rats is in here. The book also gives good information about breeding and showing your rats. A must-read! <:8 )~



4. I concur with the other reviews in this space. It really is an excellent guide, and the author's website...is also quite helpful. I am truly impressed by the detail of this book, which still maintains an easy reading level (so it's suitable for kids in the 9-12 range right on up to grownups) and an attractive layout. In addition, the author states that she is willing to help *you* with any rat questions or problems and gives her contact information, including phone number! That's dedication!

   Some day, I hope to get hold of a copy of her Rat Health Care booklet, but for now this book remains my ratty Bible.




5. I just wanted to concur with everything that other reviewers have written. This is a superb little book with beautiful pictures of cuddly rats. The only flaw in it I could think of is that it doesn't mention my favorite rat treat (matzoh).