5 comments about Bloodhounds (Barron's Complete Pet Owner's Manuals).

1. A nice introduction to bloodhounds. Gives you basic information about the breed and a good read before deciding on this dog. Most of the information is easily available on the internet but it's nice to have in a quick guide for a very inexpensive price. I would recommend to anyone interested in getting a bloodhound but if you already have a dog this book is a little basic, still it's nice to have in your library so friends and family can become more informed about this fantastic breed of dog.



2. Full of information, very thorough. Not too lovey dovey about the breed, very geared towards people who have or will have a bloodhound. Stuff you need to know! Wish it had more pictures, but that's what the other books are for.



3. VERY informative book for the money. Of the three bloodhound books purchased this month, one was worthless, one was a little pricey, and this one was the best value.



4. Very informative. Not only does it give you a little history on the breed, but details the positives and what could be negatives of the breed. A book I would recommend to anyone considering this breed.

   ..




5. This book has everything you need to know about the Bloodhound breed. It shows pictures of how to take care of your Bloodhound ect.... I bought this book to learn more about the breed and to train my Bloodhound to track game, and it has worked perfectly for my needs. The only thing they don't really mention in this book is how serious the ear problem is for Bloodhounds. My Bloodhound for example needs her ears cleaned about every 3 days. If you don't clean their ears that often they will get a really bad ear infection and the only way to get it out is surgery, around $500.00 worth. They are a very high maintenance animal but are well worth the effort.

5 comments about How to Train Your Siberian Husky (Tr-105).

1. I am a first-time Siberian Husky owner and from all of the information I read about them on the internet I thought it would be a good idea to do a little studying about the breed before she got here. This book is short and easy to read with helpful tips on training and obedience. The section on house training is a little short, but really, besides taking them outside every few hours and watching them for cues, what else can be said about the subject? I made a ribbon dog bell and I'm hoping that this will help train her a little more quickly, but so far she has been doing an awesome job about going outside.
   
   It has been a long time since I have trained a puppy of any breed so it was nice to have a refresher course on training in general and the fact that this book was geared towards training Siberian Huskies made it even better. I finished it in under a day and now that we have our new puppy I am finding myself using it as a reference. Overall, I would recommend this book for first-time Husky owners because based on my experiences with my new puppy, everything I read about them being independent, stubborn, and excitable has been 100% accurate from day one. She truly has been a joy to have, but I am finding training to be a little more challenging than it was for my black lab.



2. This is a fun book to have when you are thinking of getting a HUSKY. Great way to get a idea of what you are getting into and a nice idea on how they will move your life in a great direction.. I recommend it as a first husky book then move the Siberian Huskys for dummies.



3. This book would be great for anyone considering a Siberian Husky, or a new dog owner as it contains basic dog care tips and an introduction to training techniques. I was looking for a book with some special hints for training huskies (as they can be difficult dogs to train) and was disappointed. Although the title is 'How to Train You Siberian Husky' a large amount of space in the book is dedicated to caring for your dog - not training.



4. I adopted a 4 month old Husky who was completely out of control. I was desperate to find help. This book contained the answers that I needed to control this pup. Thank you!



5. Training a Siberian Husky is quite a challenge considering the personality of a Siberian. They are playful, independent, and intelligent. You have to take these traits into consideration and go from there. Treats are about the only motivator I have found to get one moving and I don't mean the ones from the grocery store. Very smart, a Siberian will work if she wants to work or provided there is a benefit. If you own one or are thinking of getting one, please read this book. Siberian Huskies for Dummies is also a good choice as well. This book is very short with concise instructions. I think even a mature teenager could manage to train with this book.

5 comments about Parrotlet Handbook, The (Barron's Pet Handbooks).

1. A mi parecer contiene informacion muy util para novatos como yo. Sobre todo es que no hay casi informacion sobre los Forpus en la red. Hay una seccion sobre otras especies que no es muy logica a mi parecer en este libro, pero en linea general me ha gustado.
   
   Very good information for nobels like me. What i did not understand, is why the litle information about other parrots. But in general a good book



2. A better title for this book might have been "The Small Parrot Handbook". I thought I was getting an in depth handbook on parrotlet care and breeding, but what I got was a book that deals in generalities of many different birds. Forget buying this book. You will learn much more from surfing the web. A total waste of money. Wait! I have just discovered that if you carefully remove the pages, they will fit perfectly 3 wide by 3 deep in the bottom of my bird cage. Maybe I should give another star...



3. If you are looking for information on the care of pet parrotlets, take a pass on this one. There are few pages devoted to that topic, and lots and lots about the history of the breed, and lots and lots about small parrots that are not parrotlets.



4. Because I keep many birds, I've read many books on the topic by Matthew Vriends. Vriends raises several kinds of tropical birds, visits their natural habitats, is involved in the preservation of wild birds and their habitats, and writes extensively on these topics. He is also a PhD (Dutch born biologist and ornithologist). I bought THE PARROTLET HANDBOOK in spite of the fact one reviewer said there was not much of interest about Parrotlets in this book, mainly because I have read so many of Vriends other books on other birds and found them helpful.
   
   THE PARROTLET BOOK is very interesting, but it is also geared to the breeder of this type of bird. As the owner of two brother Parrotlets, I don't foresee joining the breeder group any time soon, even though Vriends makes a compelling case for becoming a breeder of Parrotlets who are under threat from the deforestation of the Amazon jungle.
   
   In spite of the book's bias - which I truly appreciate, it does include many helpful tips and a good deal of information about the various types of Parrotlets who are companions of people like me. For one thing the book helps one understand the origins the little birds whose ancestors come from South America and who seem be thought of by some as the little brother of the larger Macaw.
   
   My Parrotlet brothers have been hand raised from the egg stage and they are Soooo sweet. However, I am told the Parrotlet can administer a nasty bite should he be "wild" or displeased. My birds perch on my finger (two at a time) and are a lot less messy than my Cockatiels and Love Birds. Maintenance-wise, keeping Parrotlets is a bit like keeping Canaries. However, they are as playful as my Senegal parrot.
   
   I found a really great article on Parrotlets entitled "True Confession-Parrotlet owners bring down the house with tales of pin-sized adventures" in the January 2004 issue of Bird Talk Magazine (if you keep birds or are thinking of doing so, subscribe to this magazine). I recommend both Vriends book and Bird-Talk magazine for the serious bird owner.



5. I bought this book hoping to find out more about parrotlet care, training and behavior. Instead, it reads like a mini0encyclopedia of all small parrots. Most of the parrots listed in this book are not even seen in pet stores. The author should SERIOUSLY think about revising this book OR changing the title.

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.

2 comments about The United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship: Intermediate Horsemanship (C Level) (Howell Reference Books).

1. As a begging rider, I was wandering through a local tack shop when I saw the USPCA's Manuals for Horsemanship, D level and C level. I picked up the C level manual and was overwhelmed with the information, so I asked my mom to buy me the D level book. I read the book cover to cover in three days, although I was only ten years old at the time. I was surprised at how much I had been doing wrong (I have a great instructor who doesn't like to overwhelm begginers with directions). Six months later I was capable of completing all the requirments of the D manual, so my mom bought me the C manual. About a year later I joined a local Pony Club, and was very glad that I had read the manuals when I became a D-3 shortly after joining. Three years later, I am still very thankful to Susan E. Harris for writing the manuals. I am now a C-3, and hope to advance to the B level by next spring. I would recommend the manuals to anyone who rides english, however, remember to read them in order, or you will feel as if you are missing information. I have not read the B-A manual yet, but I do think that the C manual is the best of the three for building a sound riding career. P.S. I'm also in 4-H, and have found that Grooming to Win, also by Susan E. Harris, is extremely useful when preparing for Pony Club rallies or inspections, 4-H shows, and just about any other shows. It is also a great guide to daily grooming, trimming, and conditioning of your horse.



2. Like Susan's first volume, this is a marvelous combination of clear language, straight-forward presentation, and logical organization, topped by many wonderful drawings. Once you've read and digested the "D" volume, go on to this one and continue your equestrian education in the most logical way I've found. I'm a long-time riding instructor, especially for the US Pony Clubs, and recommend this book to riders of any age. I also own about 900 horse books and Susan Harris's Manuals are, by far, the ones I consult most often.

5 comments about The Complete Idiot's Guide to Positive Dog Training, 2nd Edition (Complete Idiot's Guide to).

1. The author discusses positive training adnosium and yet she glosses over important points and techniques. Potty training is covered in a page and a half, which seems a bit scant to me in a book about dog training. This is not so much a book on how to train your dog but book on the philosophy of positive dog training.



2. I'm rating the book 3 stars because it does have a lot of good information, but also had several things I didn't like about it. I would buy a different book if I were to start over.
   
   The author spends far too long stating and re-stating that only positive reinforcement works and any form of punishment is bad. I already believe that positive reinforcement is a good method, that's why I bought "Positive Dog Training". In addition, she makes several bold claims about psychology that sound nice without any citation or ways to verify the claims.
   
   There is some contradictory examples in the text. She states that there are 3 fundamental rules of dog training: 1) Positively reinforced behavior gets repeated, 2) Ignored behavior goes away (the 3rd is not relevant to my example here). Later in the book, she relates the story of a dog that began chewing her shoes. Her solution? She gave the dog a reward the next time it took a shoe from the closet. According to her own rules, she should have ignored the dog, and certainly not given a reward.
   
   Another omission in this book that I found from other sources was utilizing a dog's natural sense of hierarchy in the training.
   
   There are a lot of pages to go through before the useful content really begins, but the useful content is there. I don't want to sound overly negative in this review, but there were certainly parts of this book that I found lacking.



3. While I agree with the author's emphasis on the positive, she is redundant - to the point of defensive - in stating and restating the argument. Being harsh or punishing a pet is bad. I get it. But this tome is very slow to arrive at practical, tactical "I can use this daily" advice. Dennison advocates that any form of negative discipline is counterproductive and to be avoided, often drawing human psychology parallels which, while inviting on the surface deny that Lupus canus and Homo sapien vary beyond the latter having opposable thumbs. Not all dogs share the same issues, and while I emphasize positive reinforcment for good behavior I have found that my vizsla responds to a sharp, unequivocal "NO" (i.e., entering a street; cat litter snack; paw on the table) without surrendering any affection. In due course, using an appropriate balance of reward and correction, she has learned her boundaries.
   
   As another reviewer admits, "I wanted to like this book, but, I didn't" and I don't think you will either. (And I would suggest that you can't aford, let alone carry enough treats to reward as often as the author advocates.) My advice: Look for a book or information on your specific breed (e.g., The Versatile Vizsla is superb for those owning Hungarian Short Haired Pointers); search the Internet; trust your vet and your (and your dog's) instincts.



4. I think positive training methods can be used for all breeds of dogs but I think the author has trouble presenting her book that way. She presents the info as if you own a herding dog and then adds on some quick line about what to do if your dog is resistant. She doesn't acknowledge enough that different breeds truly have different issues. It doesn't mean that you can't overcome these issues, but they are real. I didn't have to do training to prevent my hounds from barking and going crazy at the front door. They just don't do it. I have 3 and none of them has ever done this. My dogs don't nip. However, they will do anything to steal food and they don't want to walk next to me if there is an interesting smell (which apparently is always). These are the issues that are tough for me.
   
   Anyway, if you have a herding dog, I would imagine that this is a great book, but I felt like she didn't do a good job of making the book more general. I called my friend who owns a Sheltie and recommended it to her.
   
   For positive training books, I prefered Clicking with Your Dog by Peggy Tillman. I felt like she presents the info for all dog owners.



5. This book is very wordy with few photos so I worry that adopters won't really read it all but those that do will find a wealth of good information. For adopters that like to read and want know all there is to know about training their dog, I recommend this book. For those adopters who want to see photos of what to do, I recommend Maran's Illustrated Dog Training.

No comments about Izzy & Lenore: Two Dogs, an Unexpected Journey, and Me.

5 comments about The Complete Standard Poodle.

1. The book came on time. It was a delight to read and very informative. I especially devoured the chapters on Puppy Care, Understanding Your Poodle, and The Versatile Standard Poodle.I read it from cover to cover in two days. Discovered that a local breeder, whom I had contacted about a puppy, had a champion dog of her's pictured in the book on page 159!



2. Gorgeous book! Beautiful color pictures on almost every page. 20 pages dedicated to grooming including a variety of hair styles and all major topics are covered such as health and training. Of all the poodle books I've purchased this is by far my favorite.



3. This book is full of wonderful pictures and a complete history of the standard poodle. However, the author is a former show judge in the UK and spends a considerable amount of the book discussing British standards for show. The recommended diet (raw human food) is contrary to what most American vets prescibe. The information on grooming the standard poodle is quite informative and includes pictures of finished cuts. However, it does not include enough information for a novice like me to attempt the trims.



4. Eileen Geeson does a fabulous job of giving background information pertinent to standard poodle owners. She touches on a broad range of topics, from our emotional attachments to our furkids to puppy-raising information and everything in between. One of the most helpful sections gives warning signs of injuries and diseases prone to standard poodles. The pictures in the book are precious, and Geeson's book is a fluent read.



5. What a wonderful book! I bought my first Poodle and this book was a treasure!

No comments about The Dog Lover's Companion to the San Francisco Bay Area: The Inside Scoop on Where to Take Your Dog in the Bay Area & Beyond (Dog Lover's Companion Guides).

5 comments about Rats: Complete Care Guide.

1. I bought this book after getting my three ratties, and have found it very helpful. It has information on almost everything to do with rats. It has what to feed them, what not to feed them, games to play with them, what to do on a hot day, how to find a good vet ect ect. The author's voice sounds kind and caring but also informative and I must say, I use this book all the time! It's a must-have for all rat owners.
   Highly recommended!



2. I truly enjoyed this book and it has all the information one needs to take care of a rat!



3. This is the best and most accurate rattie care guide I've read. Ms Ducommun is know as the Rat Lady and has been one of the best rat health experts for many many years.
   I have 5 rats myself and even though I'm experienced in their care I found this book interesting to read. I think every rat enthusiast should have this on their book shelf :-)



4. We landed ourselves a pet rat a little over a year ago. Neither of us really knew much about rats, but we muddled through researching here and there on the internet and asking questions at the pet shop, etc. Our rat seemed healthy and happy, but I always worried that we might be missing something.
   
   I received this book for Christmas, and by the end of Christmas morning I had read 2/3 of it! It is such an interesting and informative read. It put my mind at ease on several issues, taught me quite a bit and it is great to know that I have it as a reference if anything should ever happen to our precious Ratatouille! Like another reviewer already said, it might not go into quite enough detail for people who already know a lot about rats, but for your everyday rat owner, I think it is more than sufficient.
   
   Oh, and, after reading in this book that you should never keep a solitary rat, unless you can spend several hours a day with it (we manage a couple of hours a day), we are off to get a house mate for her, in the new year. Of course, now we have this book, we know how to successfully introduce the new rat in the correct and proper way ;o)



5. I have a pet rat, and this book was helpful. I especially liked the chapters telling about games you can play with your rat and showing them. It was also very helpful on food, cages, and health. I would recommend it to people of all ages.