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.

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 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.

5 comments about Spirit Horses.

1. All I can say is Spirit Horse's is just Breathtaking. A beautiful book,I would recommed it for any horse lover.



2. This is one of the most beautiful books that I have seen of horses. Very well done. If you know somebody that loves horses, this is the book to buy.



3. The best art photography I've seen.. A must for horse lovers.



4. The photo book Spirit Horses is an must for every horse lover. The photo's are incredible and create or catch a mistical atmosphere as I have seldom seen. The captions are inspiring. Not a book to read but one to pick up once a week for half an hour meditation. Highly recommended



5. Misleading - Linda Kohanov only wrote the Intro.
   Repetitive photographs and sparse text.

5 comments about Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy, Second Edition: Theoretical Foundations and Guidelines for Practice.

1. Seeing eye dogs for the blind are the best known example of animal assisted therapy. But this book describes several other cases, that are perhaps not so familiar. Like the theraputic effect on humans of watching a fish tank. Or interacting with chimpanzees. Or, in some instances, with snakes. The book describes how for many people, there is a stress reduction effect of touching these animals.
   
   Other aspects covered in the book include listing stress signs in dogs or cats. As possible warnings that they might not be useful as companions. Another topic is the difference between a child and an adult having a pet companion.
   
   The book is a good guide for those health care professionals seeking to match animals with humans.



2. I found it to be a helpful resource. I will probably refer back to it as I continue learning about animal assisted therapy.



3. This tome features a number of various case study articles on different subjects pertaing to not only animal-assisted therapy, but also to service animals (there is a significant difference). One area (service animals)is for disabled individuals who have an animal-usually a dog-to assist them. The other area is for those interested in Biophilia, how clients benefit from exposure to animals from a therapeutic stance, where handlers bring their animals into long-term facilities, and the like.
   I enjoyed this book so much I loaned my copy to a psychiatrist at a neighboring mental health clinc that I know who was conducting a group. She wanted to talk to them about the benefits of service animals for those with mental and emotional disorders, but didn't have the background on the subject. This book was indispensible for her. I plan to add more volumes like it to my library.



4. This book contains bonafide information to help AAT professionals in everything from forming a practice, zoonotic disease charts, guidelines for AAT in a variety of settings (hospitals, schools etc.), and with a variety of clients to Nature therapy and animal abuse issues.

   Additionally, it offers information on assessment tools that can be applied to research in this area. It explains different statistical methods and how to use them.

   This book is a 'must have' reference. It is encouraging to see good literature emerging in this field. As a practitioner in this area, I am encouraged by works like this.




5. The Hanbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy is a useful resource on the topic of anthrozoology and animal-assisted therapy. The sections of the book are written by many of the most prominant researchers in the field. The book is interesting, as well as informative.

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

1. I really enjoyed Ms. Bailey's approach to training gun dogs, especially the emphasis that she places on conditioning instead of formal training. Ms. Bailey's conditioning techniques allow you to train your dog without the dog realizing it. Her book and its methods are only intended for puppies to 1 year old dogs. She defers you to other books and techniques to use for training your adult dog. However, I feel that if you use the techniques she has stated in her book with your puppy/adolescent dog, you will be well on your way to having not only a great bird dog, but also a great family friend that is well mannered and socialized.



2. This is a good book to lay the groundwork to train a gun dog. The first year is important since this is when you have to teach a dog how to learn. This book gives great examples with details on how accomplish the most important aspects in the first year.



3. The book arrived earlier than scheduled. I just purchased an english setter puppy and have found some of the techniques quite useful and informative. Easy book to read.



4. This book is essential for anyone expecting a new bird dog in the house. Though I have trained several personal gun dogs, it was refreshing to see other,more relaxing ways to start a dog. While we are still working with our new English Pointer pup, many of the methods outlined in this book work great. The key to this type of training is to keep your cool, relax, and don't get frustrated. No matter how simple an exercice you have to end a training session with, always end on a very possitive note. It will pay off in the long run.



5. I enjoyed reading the book in preparation for the arrival of my first gun dog pup. Though personally inexperienced in training, I have hunted over friends' dogs for several years and have spent enough time with "dog people" to have a sense of what can work. This book presents an excellent overview for the first-time or experienced trainer.

5 comments about The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat.

1. This book is terrific. It provides a general guide to companion animal care (In a natural way ofcourse), and then lists ailments and accompanying herbal remedies. Easy to use, easy to understand. Suitable for practitioners and animal lovers. If you have a pet then you should buy this book.



2. Well this book is mainly only for the use for dogs. I was thinking it's be more like a herbal/ailment glossary. You know, about what's wrong with your pet and what herb to use for it. It does have that in the book but very little and it's got more literature in it than I had wanted.



3. This book is an excellent source of almost forgotten and useful information. I am constantly going back to reread sections and have bought it for my farming, animal loving daughters.



4. First I will give the author due credit for her general ideas on natural rearing, caution of over-vaccination, recommendation of a natural raw diet and advice to provide plenty of exercise, sunshine and love.
   
   With that said, some of her suggestions are iffy at best:
   
   The suggestion to not spay and neuter is very ignorant. Overpopulation in dogs and cats leads to euthanasia, homeless pets, pets with bad homes because they were given away to anybody, etc,etc. There is no side effect of spaying and neutering that even comes close to being as harmful to our pets as the side effects of overpopulation.
   
   The author recommends burying meat in the backyard as a healthful alternative to freezing.
   
   She recommends feeding grains with the raw bones, so that the grains can protect the stomach/intestines from any sharp bone fragments. To expect that to work is just silly, and dogs do not need grains in their diets.
   
   She recommends feeding dried fruits,specifically including raisins, but raisins are toxic to dogs!
   
   She recommends red raspberry leaf for pregnant females but this has been scientifically proven to cause a higher fetal mortality rate, and it induces uterine contractions which is not always a good thing.
   
   She does have some good advice, but I wouldn't blindly trust all of the information contained in this book. Natural rearing is best for your dog, but definitely do your own research and make your own informed decisions.



5. I had bought two of Juliette's herbal books for cats and dogs when I read another book by a different author who had recommended Juliette's books specifically. One of our cats had developed a strange problem where his fur ceased to grow in a large area on his left flank. The spot started out small but gradually grew large and larger until a spot several inches in diameter was mostly fur-less on our cat. Our vet ran a number a tests which came up negative and we even ran tests twice. Our vet said he didn't know the cause of the problem. We had our cat for years and he is an indoor cat fed typical dry cat food (Whiskas), as are all our kitties, and we also give our cats canned tuna fish frequently, as well as chicken breast, turkey breast and beef occasionally. We didn't think his problem could be diet-related. Our other cats are very healthy and our vet even remarked on their coats saying they were the most beautiful he had seen. We tried some things the vet suggested, including giving our cat vitamin E supplements and even cod liver oil but nothing helped the problem and it just seemed to get worse over several months. I searched around the internet trying to find informataion on a possible cause of his condition but found nothing really. I thought perhaps his problem could be a thyroid condition. When I consulted Juliette's book, she recommended seaweed, garlic or raw egg yolks for thyroid problems. As I already had eggs in the house, I decided to try those first. I mixed raw egg yolk into my cat's tuna fish and fed that to him on several days and then we noticed that his fur looked like it was growing back. I worried about feeding him too much egg yolks as I didn't want him getting too much cholesterol so I ceased feeding the egg yolk after about a week but his fur continued to grow back until it was all the way grown back and he seems fine now. I'm thankful this book helped us find a way to help our cat. It was worth the price of the book just for the help with that one problem, though I will continue to consult the book in future if my cats need any more treatment for any future ailments. Juliette seems very knowledgeable about natural and herbal remedies. I bought her book "Common Herbs for Natural Health" and used some of her recommended treatments on myself as well with very good results.

5 comments about Guide to the Quaker Parrot.

1. This has been the Bible of parrot information! Extremely helpful and useful information; concise and interesting reading.



2. I found this book helpfull and informative. It better helped me to understand some of the behaviours i had already noticed in my quaker.



3. I liked this book and it has a lot of information in it about the Quaker. The only thing that I wasn't happy with was the fact that I felt like the book deals too much with baby Quakers. The Quaker that I bought was already 7 months old and had already gone through many of the stages of learning that are talked about in the book. However, if you are bringing home a baby Quaker or just have general care questions about the Quaker, then this book is for you.



4. What a great resource -- huge, vass information on Quakers in particular -- just what is needed for those researching a soon to be Quaker parent. Gives great information on rehabilitation for those of you who are considering a rescue. Thank you. Definetely worth the money!!!



5. The book overall is a great book, however, there really is no food guidance on what you should feed your Quacker. As a new parent to an adult quacker I really needed something that gives more detail in food does and don'ts.
   
   It did help explain some of the behavioral issues and how to solve them that we noticed in our Quacker.
   
   Overall, I would recommend this book, but if you are looking for a book on feeding, you may want to buy an additional book. This book is very helpful in other areas!