5 comments about The Whelping and Rearing of Puppies: A Complete and Practical Guide.

1. I give this book 5 stars although I have found no book with a much needed "fact chart". I find myself going back through sections over and over again, trying to find out when they hear, etc. I have created my own notes and fact sheet for next time. Having known absolutely nothing, this book is GREAT and I highly recommend it. I always read the negative reviews on books first...I must say I did not find the author remiss with the chapter on sickly puppies. It has to be mentioned and fore armed prepares you. I found myself trusting my instincts and our one little puppy is doing so well at age 2 weeks. With only one in the litter I was a little concerned about delivery of a large puppy and losing our one and only. This book gave a lot of information about the birth and I felt confident in being able to step up and assist our [...] with anything. Turns out I was not needed at all. Reading this book was definitely an asset. Highly recommended!



2. This is a very well planned book. There are numerous examples and references to other breeders and the experiences they have had. This book is a very valuable assett to anyone having puppies or even thinking about it.



3. I thought this book was very helpfull for us, we had our first litter of puppies and reading this book it helped me to see and know what might happen when the puppies come...and the materical I might need for the birthing . Everything went well ..



4. The only thing I can say that this book is missing is the information you may need when you are "tying" your dogs. This is just as important a process to know about as welping. Otherwise this is a great purchase!



5. good, easy to read book for the first timers. Book arrived Saturday morning, puppies arrived Saturday afternoon. I've been around dogs all my life but this is the first litter we have ever assisted in the delivery and the book does a very good job explaining what to do throughout the birth and the different stages of the puppies first 8 weeks. I would definitely recommend this book as did my vet to me.

5 comments about Guide to Owning a Ragdoll Cat.

1. I have owned a Ragdoll for several years, but this book really taught me some things I didn't know. An informative and very accurate book that will help each of us to understand and care for our Ragdolls in a better way. This book is the BEST Ragdoll book on the market! My opinion ...



2. It's a very handy small book, but fully informative, having plenty of super cute photos. If you are thinking of buying a ragdoll cat, it will be perfect for you.



3. Excellent reference for Ragdoll owners. This book is so comprehensive you won't need anything else. All you need to know about your Ragdoll and more.



4. I bought this book last week, and have had a lot of fun reading it! We added a Ragdoll cat to our family last year, and I had been looking for a good book about Ragdolls! It gives history of the breed's origin, the special nature of the breed, etc. It is just what I thought I was buying. If you have a Ragdoll, or are planning to get one, this will be a fun and useful tool for you!



5. A wonderful amount of information in a little pocket guide ... I enjoyed this book and found it very useful. It has been difficult to find much information on this wonderful breed, and Ms. Nelson has done a great job trying to impart as many facts as possible while keeping the book a manageable size.

5 comments about Horse Handling & Grooming: A Step-By-Step Photographic Guide to Mastering over 100 Horsekeeping Skills (Horsekeeping Skills Library).

1. I needed a book for students getting to know horses for the first time.
   This book provided the information they needed in quick and easy slices.
   This laid the ground work for more intensive sessions which they will receive later on in their veterinary and general animal care courses.
   I am very pleased with this book.
   
   
   G.Stratton, SGU.



2. This book is good for folks who have a basic knowledge of horses but want a little further advice. People who haven't had lessons or are just starting to work with horses for the most part will get confused easily. I got this book for a friend and while there is plenty of useful information tha main things we were looking for were hoof care. The most useful information I found was the section on tying the horse and approaching the horse. This book is helpful but definately not a complete source. We actually got Horses for Dummies and THAT book had ALOT of helpful information... including information on what you should consider BEFORE you become a horse owner.



3. I bought this book because I thought it would be just as good as another in this series "Getting the most from Riding Lessons". I was really looking for specifics on grooming with highly detailed photos and step by step highly detailed instructions and tips. This book has some of this.
   
   There's a good section on catching, tying, and handling the horse. There is some basic safety information omitted.
   The hoof care is completely lacking. There is only information on how to lift and support your horses feet. This should be a VERY detailed section of the book considering how important it is to a horse.
   Daily grooming info is only OK.
   Washing section is acceptable to good.
   Clipping section is good but doesnt cover special clipping patterns.
   Mane and tail care and braiding is good.
   No leg wrap information is included.
   No transport of horse information is included.
   
   This all said - it's really hard to find a great grooming book.



4. This book matches exactly what the title says it is providing the beginner with the basics of handling and grooming on a horse that is use to both (in my mind set it pretains to a very gentle well trained horse that is use to a lot of handling, like someone else stated a sound horse).
   The pictures and text appear to be complete on how to do things right and it's my kind of book, no long winded, wasted or unneeded words to make a bigger book thus wasting my time or book shelf space.
   It does just cover the basics on how to do it (not with a horse that is unruley) and on handling you will quickly out-grow the book. It does contain more information on grooming than it does handling so if you are new at that it should be very helpful.



5. I condsider myself a beginner. This book is very simplistic.
   I learned most of these things in the first month of taking lessons. If you have a minimal amount of knowledge, this book would be a waste. Don't waste your time or money. I wish I hadn't.

No comments about All Pets Go To Heaven: The Spiritual Lives of the Animals We Love.

5 comments about Natural Dog Training.

1. I must say that for those reviewers who complain about the use of corrections or prong collars etc, you've obviously missed the whole point of the book. This book is not based or focused on using correction techniques. If you use corrections simply to suppress a dog's behavior, then yes, you will cause behavior problems and possible aggression as well. But that is not what Kevin is recommending or teaching in his book. The entire premise and theory is based on building and controlling a dog's drive, not correcting a dog to suppress them in order to create a desired behavior. I've worked in the correction based methodology before, and believe me, it's an entirely different world than what is being taught in this book.
   
   I've used dominance based training, as well as positive reinforcement and clicker training. Neither of those methodologies got me the results I wanted. Sure, they both worked to a degree. Dominance training created dogs that were under control, but they sure weren't happy. And there was always that undertone of fear and tension between us. Positive reinforcement and clicker training worked great when we were working. But it would all fall apart in the real world when there were more interesting things to do. Not to say they didn't retain some of what they learned. But they just weren't reliable when using only positive reinforcement methods. I guess if I had continued doing it for the next 10 years, then maybe they would finally be reliable all the time. But once I began using Kevin's techniques, I started seeing an instant transformation in my dogs. They started going from confused and disinterested, to paying attention and being happy to work with me. And it really was almost immediate.
   
   I believe that all forms of training have something positive you can take away from them. Although I've learned that dominance training has little or nothing that I would want to continue using. But natural dog training has and continues to transform my relationship with my dogs. And I am convinced that it can do the same for most people.
   
   It is fair to say that every dog is different, and that there will be dogs that may require a different form of training, or creative elaborations on Kevin's techniques. But I would also say that I have yet to find any other philosophy that works as well for as many dogs as this one.
   
   Any training model will probably work if you dedicate yourself to it. But I think that Kevin's philosophy and techniques provide a way to get the results you want, while respecting and honoring the dog's true nature and spirit, instead of trying to suppress it. And that's why I recommend this book more so than anything else I've come across.



2. This training guide has an interesting theory about dog behaivour being based entirely on the hunting drive, but I don't agree with some of the methods.
   
   Ten years ago, I trained a dog using the "shock" method (corrections on the leash and an electrical shock collar) and will never use it again. I feel that is is abusive. I was training the dog with a trainer that charged close to $2,000.00 to teach me how to abuse my dog. Any time you jerk a leash against a dogs neck you are risking cervical injury. My dog, Bear, continued to have severe behavior problems that I now know were due to these antiquated training methods.
   
   I finally had a behavior specialist (doggie psycologist) come to my house to work with the dogs. She recommended the following books and helped me with some basic positive-reinforcement training methods. Bear's behaviour improved that afternoon. We recently lost hime to renal failure, and at the time of his death, he was the most gentle dog I've ever known.
   
   I would recommend "The Dog Whisperer" and "The Culture Clash" (Jean Donaldson) for training without punishment.



3. I have now been reading this book for about three weeks and can't get through it. It's content is of very high interest and surely some "AHA" exclamations from me when I am getting the point. It is a great book for people who are more interested in reading then getting a few picture hints. There are no illustrations in this book what so ever and I probably finding it a bit boring as it feels like I am reading a novel and not a dog training book. So if you are like me and likes a bit of illustrations don't go for this book, If you like reading only you will love this book.



4. How anyone let alone the supposed"dog trainer" author can call this book natural dog training I don't know!! I'm a dog trainer myself and there is no way ever that I would use any of his so called "natural" dog training methods!! How can prong collars and the use of electric collars in dog training be considered natural. I wonder without the use of these barbaric tools could Kevin Behan even train a dog. Has he ever heard of compassion! How can he happily write about "training" using these torturous tools? Come on America wake up quit looking for the quick fix, it's generally done by using harsh methods. If you love your dogs look at the up to date training methods using gentle, kind, motivational methods, not these methods where you have to strike fear mentally or physically into a dog before you can get him to do what you want.



5. It's kind of a "use the dog's drive" way of training. It's pretty cool but reminds me of hippie parenting--work with the dog's instincts without condemnation--and it didn't entirely work for my dog. The author doesn't believe that a dog might just be hyper. To explain, I have a blue heeler and his drive keeps going and going, and eventually I needed more advice on how to calm him down when in the presence of other dogs. Unfortunately this book isn't geared for a special needs dog like mine, but I think this book would work well for mellower breeds. I did learn about the impportance of play training, so it's a worthwhile book.

5 comments about Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others.

1. Kathy Davis' book is wonderful!
   I am using it, along with one or two others, to train my own Therapy Dog for my office and local hospitals and nursing homes. (Feel free to visit at www.drferraioli.com)
   I think that Ms. Davis was right to structure her book in such a complete manner, including such topics as how to choose a dog that might be good at this kind of work, what constitutes a good therapy dog visit, safety tips, training and handling techniques, the benefits of therapy dogs, and the list goes on!
   Well written and sober, for those who are wanting to do the real thing out there!
   Be well,
   Dr. Ferraioli
   www.drferraioli.com
   Author, "Cobwebs And Ugly Wallpaper"



2. Book arrived quickly and in perfect condition.



3. I am very pleased with this book, it has given me many ideas of what to do as a therapy dog team and how I can help others. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in doing therpay dog work.



4. I purchased this book because the reviews from other shoppers were so good. I was a little disappointed though because the book is more a basic dog training guide than how to get started in the business of therapy dogs. It just wasn't the right book for me.



5. I found this book to be a helpful introduction for people getting started in animal-assisted therapy/activities. One of the other posted reviews almost put me off, but I'm glad that I decided to take it with a grain of salt. In spite of their statement that the book does not adequately define what "pet therapy" is, I found that it did indeed deal with the definition and the different terminology that is used. The book gives many helpful tips and is a good basic guide for new therapy dog teams. I would also recommend it to those who are thinking of getting involved in pet therapy in the future.

5 comments about How Dogs Think: What the World Looks Like to Them and Why They Act the Way They Do.

1. Coren is a master of communication. His fluid style with easy to understand 'technical' terms, interspersed with some light hearted explanations and asides makes this book one of the very best for anyone with even a passing interest in dogs, how they think and how they interact.
   
   Coren is undoubtedly one of the great Masters when it comes to the canine world and this, one of his many books ranks as one of his best.
   
   The subjects covered here leave the reader with an incredibly clear insight into what every dog owner needs to and should know.
   
   This is one of those books that should be on the shelf of every school library as the importance of understanding dogs in our society is so very much underestimated.
   
   "How Dogs Think: What the World Looks Like to Them and Why They Act the Way They Do" offers one of those rare insights into "Man's best friend", that is a joy to have.
   
   Read it and understand what goes on in "Fido's" mind and you will share a far better bond with your dog than you can imagine.
   
   Reviewed by: Australian Canine Psychology Centre & Paws Are Us - Animal Behaviour Consultants.



2. As the owner of an established pet care business, and the parent of a rescue dog with severe aggression issues, I've read just about every book on dogs you can imagine. How To Speak Dog is without a doubt the single most informative and interesting book relating to dogs that I've ever read. Coren's detailed and precise explanation of canine body language has helped me aniticipate and prevent acts of aggression by my troubled dog a countless number of times; the book has opened my eyes to all the communicating our client's dogs have been doing with us and each other, and we've been able to resolve a number of behavioral issues with our clients simply because we are able to understand what the dog is telling us about why it does what it does. The book is also an enjoyable read; remarkably, Coren manages to make reading ultra detailed scientific information pleasant, not tedious. Every dog owner should have this book on their coffee table, and every dog professional should have it in a holster at their hip.



3. This book makes so much sense. The author writes in language clearly understandable to laypersons, with lots of examples and cited studies. This book has answered a lot of the questions I have about what my dog is doing; what she senses; and what she might be thinking. The author shows how genetics and instinct translate from wolves and wild dogs all the way down to the cute little furballs we keep around our houses.



4. The book was not at all a fun read! Almost every chapter was boring and non informative. The book goes on and on and yet you still feel you have not read anything of intrest.



5. Fantastic Book! If you're a dog owner, dog lover or BOTH then this is the book for you. If you want to understand your dog like never before then do yourself a favour and purchase this book. It gives a wonderful incite through the dogs eyes how they see us and why they do certain things. This book certainly goes hand in hand with How to Speak Dog. A must read.

5 comments about Dachshunds For Dummies (For Dummies (Pets)).

1. I learnt alot about my puppy through reading this book. But I still feel there is a lot more to learn as she grows up and I don't think any book can do that .



2. This is an excellent choice for the first time Dachsy owner as well as a veteran owner. Lots of good information and tips on how to make life easier with your Dachshund. One of the best books I have read on the subject.



3. Not very helpful. Could be talking about any dog. Recipes in the back of the book are dangerous for dogs. Some of the ingredients are toxic to dogs and could make them sick or kill them. Not happy about that. This book should know helpful and healthy lifestyles for animals. This is the second dog for dummies book I've bought. Won't buy any more.



4. Bought for a friend with a new Dachyl - she loves both!



5. Even though have had several dachshunds over the years I still found the book interesting and informative. But then, what's not to love about these bossy little 4 legged fun loning animals?

5 comments about True Unity: Willing Communication Between Horse and Human.

1. Tom Dorrance was never a "how to" kind of "trainer." He often disliked being too specific because he felt that it focused people too narrowly, and kept them from reaching for the "bigger picture," or a broader feel and awareness of the horse and their environment. His book is no different. It is not poorly written in the slightest. It was never intended as a how-to on training horses, but an acknowledgement of what real rapport between horse and human feels like, the mindfulness it takes to get inside, and the willingness to live in a world somewhat different than the one we've been taught to see and experience. The CD of his book is very helpful to anyone having difficulty understanding the way he presents his ideas on the page.



2. Next time, I will take the time to read the reviews. If you were standing there with Tom as he was talking, it might of made sense. But I wasn't so therefore it was vague and frustrating. I have a hunger for Natural ways versus old school and like to pass my books to others with the same heart. I can't even pass the book to someone else. Maybe it was Milly's first book?



3. Let's agree, first off, on one important thing: riding horses is not the same as riding motorcycles or four-wheelers. Many of the people I know who ride expect to get on a horse--any horse--and control it as they would a machine. Every horse the same. Every signal with the reins nothing more than steering with handle bars. Right?
   
   Wrong! The essence of Dorrance's book, TRUE UNITY, is really quite simple: horses are individuals, complete with personalities as varied as their human counterparts and realizing this fact is the beginning of finding the unity that Dorrance espouses.
   
   TRUE UNITY, like the process of achieving it with a horse, is not easy. It's easily one of the most complex books I have ever read. I found that I had to read and reread sections several times in order to get the gist of Dorrance's lessons. I had to act as if Dorrance was in the room with me, explaining his experiences and I had to listen as carefully as I could and "feel" his ideas. In the end, I found that the content was exceptional and the fact remains that dealing with horses is an exercise in shared feelings between two individuals--the rider and the horse.
   
   Some have noted that this book doesn't follow enough of a lock-step process to handling horses. What they seem to have wanted was an owners manual for horses. Step 1: Find a horse. Step 2: Climb aboard. Step 3: Ride and ride and ride. Step 4: Put horse away. Again, Dorrance makes it clear that this book was never meant to be a set of steps to take with guaranteed results. Those who feel otherwise should stick to machines.
   
   I have to take exception, though, with the editing. The job of an editor, being one myself, is to help communicate the meaning of the writer as concisely and as clearly as possible. Given this fact, Milly Hunt Porter, the editor here falls flat on her face and the readability problems with this book, such as they are, arise, in my opinion, from Ms. Porter's ineptitude as a communicator. It becomes readily apparent that Ms. Porter was nothing more in the process than a glorified secretary, taking down, verbatim, Dorrance's sometimes rambling reminiscences about handling horses. It's apparent that she didn't take time, as she should have, to ask clarifying questions and then communicate her findings to the reader. As my title indicates, I don't blame Dorrance; I blame Porter.
   
   Handle this one with care. If your expecting a well-written, flowing, easy read you will be sorely disappointed.
   
   For me, now that Tom Dorrance is gone, I wanted, whether clear or not, to read his thoughts about getting into the heads of horses and, in the end, the read was well worth it.
   
   THE HORSEMAN



4. I liked this book because Dorrance tries to explain how a horse thinks. This is not an easy task and he gives lots of examples of this. Horses think in pictures. It all comes down to that. If we can see them doing what we want consistently, then it can happen. It's all about understanding the horse. Not an easy book to read but worth taking the time to try and understand what a true horseman is telling us.



5. This is not a how-to book and Tom Dorrance said up front that it was not. This is the next step in the journey and I can see how it would be a disappointment for those that are looking for the equine version of mapquest to get where Tom's going to go.
   
   He does repeat himself several times, but based on several of the reviews for apparently obvious reasons. The senses are unique to each person based on their backgrounds and their beliefs. The feel between myself and my horse and how we get there is not going to be the same journey as my friend and her horse.
   
   This book was designed for the person who is ready to take their equine relationship to the next level.

5 comments about Dogs Never Lie About Love : Reflections on the Emotional World of Dogs.

1. Author really demonstrates his knowledge of an appreciation for the love that dogs give unconditionally and fully. He nails it with insights, evidence, and examples. I don't understand why some people were so critical of this book. Love is the emotion. They love us and we love them. We have much to learn about caring for ourselves, other people, and these wonderful creatures.
   
   If you want to know more about the how and why of the love, take a look at the book mentioned below. I enjoyed it, too, and it provides some surprising insights and valuable, usable information. It discusses the origin and comprehensive nature of our relationships with animals, providing scientifically sound information on the love we share and the roles we play in each other's lives: The Powerful Bond between People and Pets: Our Boundless Connections to Companion Animals (Practical and Applied Psychology)



2. Pleasurable reading with thought-provoking questions and reflections about loving non-human companions and how the attention they show us is perhaps more than a simple analog to human emotions. Well-written and concise, filled with great stories, tenderness that didn't indulge sentimentality -- I highly recommend this book.



3. Mr. Masson writes beautifully and thoughtfully about dogs, their thoughts,feelings, habits and characteristics. I loved the book and have recommended it to many friends.



4. As a dog owner and a person who enjoyes their pets, I was very disappointed with the author and his book. It is grossly obvious he is projecting his own thoughts and feelings upon his canine companions. I believe that dogs and cats have feelings and emotions to some degree - each primate has their own way of expression. Masson carries this much too far and the book gets almost offensive at times. I do know some folks that are excessively in love with their dogs and feel that this is a work of scientific genious (it makes them feel good) - In summary, I believe this book is doing dog owners/lovers a dis-service as any good dog owner and trainer knows that you do not humanize your dog or treat them as a child - you're asking for trouble if you do so (hence all your 'Dog Whisper' type shows). I'm afraid folks will take this book as gospel and humanize their dog (I already know two people who have done so, and their poor canine companions are ruling their household) and then wonder why Fido is acting the way s/he is. It's unfortunate us humans can't read a book for what it is...I bet a dog can.



5. Dogs bring into our lives and bring out in us so many emotions that we either try to hide or never even realize that we have. A wonderfully written book on this subject!!!