5 comments about Puppy Preschool, Revised Edition: Raising Your Puppy Right---Right from the Start!.

1. Before we got our puppy I went to the library to do research on how best to train a puppy. I checked out numerous books trying to figure out which was the best book. I got to Puppy Preschool and it was, by far, the best resource I found. It had a lot of useful information and I immediately bought the book after reading the library's version. I can now proudly say I have a puppy who is very well trained and always responds to commands.



2. This is the only book that needs to be printed on puppy training. I used it 11 years ago when I trained our two Maltese puppies, and gave out a copy with each of the 12 baby maltese that our two eventually had over the next 3 years, when each puppy left with their new owner. I was so happy to find it still available when we added another Maltese puppy to our family 5 months ago. Train with kindness and love is the underlying message of this book and it works.



3. These guys really know what they are talking about and have helped us immensley with our new puppy. We have even gone back and had to re-read several of the sections because they were so useful.



4. I have read 5 different dog / puppy books and several magazines. I think this is definately the best I've read so far. It teaches you how to be the pack leader ... too many books gloss over that completely. The books I've read before haven't really addressed the fact that dogs don't think the way people do. For some reason, Americans are always trying to humanize their pets... they treat them like little people, thinking dogs understand or think the way we do. Wrong! The result - most 'American' dogs are badly behaved - and end up unwanted. I've noticed that Germans have very well behaved dogs and people don't get rid of / or give up their pets like Americans do. I think it's because Germans treat their dogs like dogs, not like little people. Get this book BEFORE you get a puppy and study it!!! You will be happy and your puppy will be happy. Remember, if you aren't the pack leader - your dog will assume the role (whether he wants to or not... someone MUST be the pack leader, even if it has to be the dog). If it isn't you, you'll end up miserable (because your dog is out of control) and so will the dog... because you just might end up getting rid of him. And you'll be missing out on a great relationship with your canine companion. Read this book to get you off on the right start, ... then follow up with Dog Talk.



5. I love this book!!!! My first puppy was driving me crazy!!! We just could not understand each other. My mom recommended Puppy Preschool, and it was a life saver. We just got another puppy, and I re-read the book. It gives a ton of insight on the way a puppy thinks. It is extrememly helpful, even for those who think they already know. It is written in a conversational style that is easy to follow. John Ross's own personal experiences are nice examples for his points and also funny. I would not get a puppy without this book.

5 comments about Hen and the Art of Chicken Maintenance: Reflections on Raising Chickens.

1. This is a hilarious compilation of stories from a first-time yuppie chicken-raiser. Apart from a few instances of crude/vulgar humor, the book is very entertaining to read. If you are interested in raising your own flock, you will find that the author gives handy tips and worthwhile advice. To the experienced poultry owner, the book will give a few after-chores chuckles as you relive first-time experiences along with the author. Gurdon's writing style is a cross between James Herriot and Patrick McManus.



2. Okay I was a little surprised that this book was written by someone in England (I think). It was a very funny book. I was looking for information on raising chickens and it gave me an insight to the fowl personality. After reading this book I decided not to raise any chickens. It was funny though. And realize this book is not an American's perspective. I did not know that before reading the book. If you are undecided as to if you want to keep chickens as a hobby then you need to read this book before making your final decision.



3. I loved this book. It had a lot of information about chickens although it isn't a complete chicken raising manual. I highly recommend it as an addition to other chicken books for learning about chickens.
   
   I also recommend it for anyone who isn't interested in raising chickens as it is a great story.



4. I thought this book was wonderful.....An easy read--perfect for curling up at night and reading a chapter or two--I didn't want it to end! For those who have chickens, you will find yourself laughing out loud at the stories (who hasn't encountered an 'oops' rooster??!) as the author stumbles through the life lessons that chickens undoubtably provide! For those who don't have chickens, its still an entertaining read--full of humor--the names the author gives his chickens (Egghead, Bald Bird, etc.) had me laughing all the time......
   However, this book is not too great on the facts--I found several discrepancies that the auther had not researched and were based more in theory than anything, but who cares??? The book was great fun and I suggest it to all. Actually a fabulous book to read aloud to someone as well. Thoroughly entertaining!



5. I must say this book was quite addictive. Once I picked it up it was hard to put down. The author's style of writing, was easy to read. He told this story in such a personal way about his flock of chickens. Being a small flock owner I liked the real and not overly scripted way he told of his enjoyments and heartbreaks in the chicken raising endeavor. The lengths that us chicken keepers will go to save the health of a pet is amazing. After reading about the author & the chicken Yvette and her/his physical therapy I was in stitches laughing!!
   
   The only thing that I didn't like about this book was all the cursing and cutesy chicken shagging references. The reason I don't like these remarks is that this otherwise would've been a book I'd of liked to share with my younger neice.
   
   There is also a kind of sequel to this book called I believe Traveling with a Man and his chicken.

5 comments about Newfoundlands (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. I bought this book in addition to several others prior to getting my Newfoundland puppy. I loved the pictures and thought it was a good general reference on the breed. The chapter on grooming was especially helpful. The comment from another reviewer that the author lacked direct experience with the breed puzzled me since the last page indicated she had owned Newfoundlands for 25 years. If you are looking for in-depth information on training your Newf for rescue work or water trials then you should look for other resources. If you want a general reference on the breed, then you can't beat this one for the price!



2. Our family just adopted a Landseer Newfoundland and this book was amazing in it's info provided and helpful tips. It is set up so that you can quickly refer to items as you need to. Our puppy, Dudley, has benefited tremendously from the info in this book. And, our family appreciates the courageous and noble ancestry of the Newfoundland breed thanks to this book!



3. I agree with the others who were dissapointed by this book. If you know anything about giant dog breeds, then reading this book will add little to no information. There aren't many breed-specific facts about the Newfoundland, and the facts that are there are very general and could apply to any giant dog. I will keep looking for better sources.



4. This book has been a great guideline to the breed. Sometimes people buy a dog just by it's looks but do not realize that the breed has lots to take in consideration. With the book it will give you just that.The purchase of this book has made me understand that grooming is very important.



5. This book is small and has nice photos. It has general information about overall dog care. It does not have alot of specific information for the newfie breed that I was particularily interested in. It is short and would be an good book for younger adults.

5 comments about Fur Shui: An Introduction to Animal Feng Shui.

1. Very fun and practical reading as well as the design and illustrations. I would share this with kids as well. I LOVE this book. I am also an illustrator, designer, animal lover and loved this book so much, I bought several copies as gifts and one for myself, as I collect art books for reference. I gave one to my vet and she immediately called me to rave about this book. This makes such a cool gift to any animal lover, even those of use who know nothing about the art of Feng Shui. Two thumbs WAY UP on this one.



2. As a feng shui novice and a major animal lover I was intrigued by the title. Paula Brown's writing made the feng shui principles easy to understand and apply. Fur Shui: An Introduction to Animal Feng Shui is a delightfully intelligent read, not taking itself too seriously, but offering the reader a new perspective on their home environment and how it relates for furry loved ones. Brown's illustrations are humorous and creative without being cutesy, serving up a charming complement to the text. Fur Shui is a fun read and a unique gift.



3. I am so glad I stumbled upon Paula Brown's FUR SHUI. What a fantastic idea! While the packaging immediately caught my eye, Paula's fun voice and easy-to-follow instructions have made my home a much happier and harmonious place. I thank you and my pets thank you too, Paula! Everyone who has a pet should purchase this book. :)



4. Fur Shui has been a God send to this house. With a house full of dogs, it was becoming overwhelming with no direction. This book has helped to restore the joy and happiness of existing with these dogs. Using her methods defined in the book, the dogs are more at peace with themselves as well as each other, offering us the harmony among all that we wished to achieve. I recommend this book to anyone who truly cares for their animal's well being as well as their own. Thank you Paula for your logical and benificial answers to we humans, but mostly for the dog's.
   jean b



5. Feng Shui has made my life happier and so has my pet. I look forward to bring a little Fur Shui happiness into my dog's life too.

5 comments about Housetraining for Dummies.

1. As a dog trainer, I often suggest people read Housetraining for Dummies before hiring me to do a housetraining consultation. The book covers far more information than I could go over in an hour. If after reading the book, they're still having problems (usually they aren't), I'm happy to set up an appointment.
   
   Gotta say I don't like calling people "dummies" though. It's hard for me to tell a client that they need to read a book for dummies. Seems insulting.
   
   But the book itself is quite good so I apologize for the title and recommend it anyway.



2. This book has some great ideas and I believe that they do work, that is why I gave the book 4 stars. For me, however, it didn't work. I have an adult dog and I felt a lot of the tips were geared more toward puppies and the normal puppy potty training. My dog goes to the bathroom in secret and usually in the early morning hours when I can't see her. Putting her in a crate overnight would probably emotionally damage her not to mention keep our entire family up all night with her crying (she's way too used to sleeping with us at night). Maybe I'm just not consistent enough or something, I don't know, I guess I'm just looking for that " magic pill" that will instantly train my dog! If anyone finds one, please give me a call!



3. Ummm-I think the dog just has to want to do the correct thing. Good ideas in the book but it didn't work for us, but we have 7 dogs.



4. I was pleased with the format of this book, and the simple instructions ands explainations. I bought it to help me train my new puppy, and it was very useful. I'm not exactly a pro at dog training. This book made a big difference.



5. This book gives a great deal of very good advice for housetraining your dog in several different ways. I have employed many of the techniques described in this book. My only wish is that more space had been devoted to indoor housetraining for smaller dogs and toy breeds. But, since indoor training is a relatively new concept and this book appears to have been published about five years ago, I can understand why more space was not devoted to the subject. And, admittedly, it is likely a rather small percentage of us for whom indoor training would apply. Overall, worth the read.

5 comments about Cross-Train Your Horse: Book One: Simple Dressage for Every Horse, Every Sport.

1. I spent much of my life as a cowgirl. Back then, no one considered dressage for basic training. Now that I am learning dressage, I needed someone to visually explain the maneuvers and the reason for how to execute them. This ol' cowgirl needed plain basic instructions and this book is the only one I consider easy to understand. That's a mouthful when it comes to dressage, but the book delivers. Within a year, we are working on 3 rd level, and I have much to thank the book that backs up what my trainer tries to explain.
   the author of: Roses and Locoweed: The Life of a Cowboy's Wife and The Winter Years of World War II



2. Every horse person can benefit from Jane Savoie's "Cross Train Your Horse: Book One:Simple Dressage for Every Horse, Every Sport. This a clearly written "guide" for any discipline. I am planning on using it as one of the text books for a college course: Dressage for the Competition Horse



3. This book was exactly what I wanted. I've ridden hunters for all of my life but am starting to train in dressage. Though this cover basic dressage work such as turn-on-the-forehand, leg yielding, etc, it gives you details from a dressage point of view. I recommend it for anyone(English or Western) that has a stiff horse in need of suppling work through basic dressage.



4. I really enjoyed this book for it's easy to follow exercises and well thoughtout training plan. I can actually see what the author is talking about in my own horses.



5. I purchased Cross-Train and More Crossing Training by Jane Savoie about two years ago based on all the 5 star reviews these books received.
   
   Unfortunately, these books were a disappointment to me. I struggled to finish Cross-Train and I never could get into reading More Cross Training. The text, even though helpful to most people, just seemed to drag on for me. Perhaps this was caused by Ms. Savoie's writing style; perhaps it was just me. (I have found Feeling Dressage by Ruth Sabine Schaefer more to my liking.)
   
   On a positive note, these books have many nice pictures and illustrations which many people should find helpful.

5 comments about Disposable Dogs: Heartwarming, True Stories of Courage and Compassion.

1. These stories show the way dogs think, love, forgive, learn to trust again after horrible abuse and that there is more to dogs than we think. This book touched me, made me angry, made me cry, and made me cherish and look at my four dogs in a completely different way. I thank the author for showing me that the bond of love between humans and animals is something I had been taking for granted. And for those who haven't experienced it, they are missing something more precious than any gem on Earth.



2. To think that these dogs were disposed! How many more have died suffering or been euthanazed - what wasted lives! But their luck turned around and for it, both people and these dogs lives were enriched; some even saved their saviours.
   
   I think the message this book tries to send out is: next time you see a stray, don't think of it as a nuisance but a life that has value and deserves to be on this planet; a life that could have given so much love and care, if only his/her circumstances were different.
   
   It's a good read, if only just to enlighten people.



3. I found the stories touching and at the same time heartwarming. In a time when the world as we know it can be cruel to mans best friend, it lets the readers know how kindness and compassion is still prevalent. It makes you realize how much hope and love abandoned dogs and cats can still give us after their hard and sometimes heartbreaking events.



4. For the dog lover - an insight in to the stories and lives of very special dogs.A must read for dog lovers.



5. The precious face on the cover of this book sets the tone perfectly. And the description beneath the picture says it all. Heartwarming, True Stories of COURAGE and COMPASSION. Seventy dogs are written about and you'll feel like you've known each one of them. You'll laugh and you'll cry about them and for them. A particular favorite is Keeley who was shot and left for dead, but she always had the will to live, and did. "Humans could take a lesson from dogs who have suffered but refused to give up. They never look back. They just pick up and go forward." Amen to that.

5 comments about Cockatoos Complete Owner's Manual.

1. This was just the book I was looking for. I am contemplating adding a Cockatoo to my family, (I already have two Macaws)....and this book was very informative and gave me alot to consider before adding one to my family.



2. I have a goffin cockatoo and I thought this book was great. Very easy to read, good advise, worth the money.



3. This is a great book if you need a quick summary and synopsis about cockatoo ownership. In my case it helped me to see that while I am an experienced bird owner, a cockatoo is not an appropriate pet for me at this time in my life.



4. A great introduction to cockatoos and how to care for them, and it's honest about the challenges as well as the benefits of sharing your life with one of these guys. It has up-to-date information on how to house them, feed them, and keep them busy, and a very helpful section of brief descriptions of each spieces, which lets you compare the sizes, care, and temperaments--read before you choose a 'too! There's lots more to know, but this is a good place to start.



5. This book although fairly short is very informative. Weither your a first time cockatoo owner or have owned them for years this book is for everyone. It goes into detail of complete care for these birds, and mainly anything you need to know about them is there. I enjoyed it, and think any bird lover and cockatoo owner would as well.

5 comments about Good Dog 101: Easy Lessons to Train Your Dog the Happy, Healthy Way.

1. My bookshelves are crammed with Dog Training books of all types and sizes. Most look unread without dog-eared pages or stressed bindings barely holding the pages in place. It's not that I haven't read them, it's that once read they become just silent clutter on my bookshelves, never to be picked up and pored over again.
   
   A few dog training books, however, are tattered and worn with little more then a rubber band keeping their pages together. Donaldson's The Culture Clash is one of these books, as will surely be my newest purchase, Cristine Dahl's Good Dog 101. I love the unique accessible style of Dahl's writing and the fact that it's a book you can pick up and read only as much as you need in order to fix a particular problem. But if you like you can read on into a depth of "why and how" far beyond the basic fix. History, humor, and practical solutions all combine with solid behavioral science in a consistently delivered elegant presentation that reveals a deep and sophisticated affection for the subject of canine behavior and training. These qualities will make this book a venerable resident of my shelves where it will certainly begin to show its age as I reference it again and again for years to come.



2. Every dog can be a good dog - just follow the fun & easy lessons in this wonderful, dog-owner friendly book! All training methods are humane & based on how dogs learn. The lessons are not only fun - THEY WORK! This book contains a wealth of information. It covers much more than teaching basic obedience commands - it addresses & explains - with insight and humor - the many things that dogs do which people consider undesirable. Most importantly, it gives the reader a wealth of tools to change behavior & make every dog a "good dog". Extremely readable, & arranged for easy reference, Good Dog 101 is a must for new dog owners & trainers alike.



3. I enjoyed the background information as well as the informative, scientific theories and recommendations. The book is readable and easily adaptable to real dog training issues.



4. The first part of this book gives a fascinating description of the history of dog training and a context to the current field that many of us dog owners try to navigate. This section is easy to read and entertaining! The second part of the book serves as an excellent reference manual for the varied challenges of each individual dog. We all know that our dogs are unique and of course nearly perfect in every way, except maybe those few little quirks! This book provides a detailed table of contents so that you can quickly get to the solution for each of those little quirks! The methods described are simple and based on principles of humane behavior training. And the best part is that they work!



5. I have three dogs, all of which have some sort of behavior problems. I have been to numerous training schools, own all of the popular books, have watched the Dog Whisperer religiously and have used many of the techniques I've picked up in these various resources. Until reading Good Dog 101, I would consider Cesar Millan *the* expert and not only used his techniques but also shared my enthusiasm for him with all of my friends and family with dogs. This book was enlightening to say the least. I learned more about dog behavior and training, and the science behind it in the pages than I have learned in many years living among and appreciating dogs. Perhaps most eye-opening part of the book is that it presents compelling arguments for considering an expert other than Cesar Millan. I'm not convinced that ALL of his techniques are useless, but the author of this book makes strong arguments for looking at behavior in other ways. I agree with other reviewers that pictures would be a helpful addition.

3 comments about Build A Better Athlete: 16 Gymnastic Exercises for Your Horse.

1. Webb's book is a necessary read for any individual seriously involved in horsemanship. Her gymnastic exercises are both concise and effective.
   Her insight and discipline are contagious and makes you want to ride better and both help and support the horse. While I own plenty of Dressage Books, this is THE book to go to in order to really make it happen. Kudos to both Webb and Practical Horseman Magazine for putting this series together.



2. I have a ton of books and unfortunately, this isn't what I expected. Though the exercises are well illustrated and clearly defined, I was looking for a really good "fitness" book for my well trained animals! I wanted something different, unique. All of theses exercises can be found in any well written dressage book.



3. What a great surprise. Here is an inexpensive manual with clear definitions, excellent photographs and diagrams as well as sections on what not to do, what can go wrong and how to fix it. The exercises build from basic to more advanced. I found her half-halt method to be simple and subtle but worked to stabilize even my NASCAR-minded mare. She suggests multiple methods to determine the correct timing to apply the aides. This book was recommended by a friend and I believe it is the most user-friendly, helpful book in my library. I'll pass the recommendation along to you wholeheartedly.