1 comments about Understanding Your Dog For Dummies (For Dummies (Pets)).

1. Having much appreciated other dog books by Stanley Coren, PhD--and having a new dog myself now--I had hopes this book would be worthwhile when I ordered it. I just finished reading it last night, and it is very, very good.
   
   One thing that impresses me in the book is that the reader isn't just told what to do to handle the dog, but is also told why that is what to do. Another thing I like is the authors recognized that all dog owners do not want the same details in lifestyle with their dogs, and presented various options on safe ways to handle things.
   
   The "for Dummies" series includes some duds and some amazing books that are full of extremely valuable details. This is one of the most valuable. Whether you are a new dog owner or an experienced one, you are sure to encounter something new to you and helpful in this book.
   
   The book also does a good job of telling owners when to get in-person, professional help with their dogs. This is vital. There are times when help simply cannot be communicated for the specific problem via the Internet or the telephone. And dogs are here and now beings. Sometimes the expert has to see the situation in person to diagnose the problem.
   
   My young Standard Poodle named Worthy will surely benefit from this book. And so will I.

2 comments about Betta: Your Happy Healthy Pet.

1. I bought this book at a PetCo that was going out of business, this was after having owned my own fish. I had a Betta before, and had done a lot of research online, so I thought I knew what I was doing. When I started reading this book in the store I realized that this was a lot more complete and thorough than the hundreds of articles I read online. This books gives consistent advice, and covers such a large range of information. The advice Tullock gives is logical and great. I definitely recommend this book for all, especially for such a decent price!



2. We "adopted" our very first Betta fish, Ray, last July. We just love him but weren't sure if we were taking care of him properly. This book was wonderful and so very helpful. It is easy to understand and separated so that your questions can be answered quickly. A must for all parents of Bettas!

5 comments about The Craggy Hole in My Heart and the Cat Who Fixed It: Over the Edge and Back with My Dad, My Cat, and Me.

1. This was a great book and an easy read. It helps with understanding the feelings about our parents.



2. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Geneen Roth is a very talented writer - I love the way she writes from her heart, letting others in her life, to help us learn and grow by seeing parts of ourselves in her life. This book has helped me get a grip on some emotions I've been dealing with for a long time. And in just a few days of reading I finished it with a stronger attachment to my own cats and appreciation for their place in my life, as well as for certain people in my life that I've so long taken for granted. Can't wait to read more from Geneen! I'm sharing this one with my mom, a cat-lover as well.



3. A beautiful and engaging story, this memoir deals with coming of age, learning to accept and give love, coming to terms with parents, and death and dying. Geneen Roth masterfully writes about many of life's large universal themes and puts them together expertly into a cohesive whole. This story will stick with you. This book is one of those rare gems to keep in your permanent library, one that will surely unfold a different lesson and mystery each time you read it.



4. I love this book and I often re-read it. Funny and clever writing. Easy to relate to and written with heart!



5. Parents, like all humans, are imperfect. When they die, we sometimes recall events, actions, and issues that make us question why we may have ever thought they loved us. Pets, on the other hand, come with no strings attached. They love unconditionally and are a source of joy that is boundless. Geneen covers losing both in the funny and touching book, which may offer healing and hope for those who have lost either.

3 comments about A New Owner's Guide to African Grey Parrots (New Owners Guide).

1. This book is one of the best Grey books I have read. Ms. Moustaki does well in being simple, frank, yet detailed enough to guide the reader in how to care properly for an African Grey. Specifics would have been good in the housing your african grey chapter, but she painted a broad enough stroke and gave enough guidelines to guide the owner in their decision. This is a basic book, and meant for new-owners. It fits its purpose well!



2. This book has great information especially for the new bird owner. I would highly recommend reading it to anyone who is even just thinking of getting an African Grey! It gives alot of insight into things a first time bird owner might not think about ahead of time.



3. This book tell us all necessary information about what we want to know about african grey parrots

5 comments about My Recycled Pets: Diary of a Dog Addict.

1. I loved this book! I found it very inspirational and motivational. Thanks to people like Randi, I have the most amazing little rescue dog and I love reading about other successful rescues as well. As a dog lover who also sometimes volunteers for dog rescue in the Bay Area, I was touched by Randi's stories. I also love her spiritual approach, of searching for divine order in a chaotic world. The book has inspired me to begin volunteering/fostering for rescue again, and to give dogs that might appear unreachable a second chance.



2. A current trend in books about dogs is that the dog(s) serve as a back drop for the author to talk about himself or herself. This book is not one of those books. And Randi Berger does a wonderful job telling the dogs' amazing stories.
   
   I truly enjoyed reading this book about troubled dogs who are rehabilitated by Ms. Berger and end up as wonderful pets.



3. Berger's stories of her years managing her full-time dog rescue organization are not only entertaining, but inspiring and sometimes painful to read. This is real-life in the dog-rescue world. Very hard work. You really get a sense of the committment and the endless effort it takes to run a successful rescue organization. Berger laces her book with humor, wit, and lots of great dog photos so you can really get a feel for each of the dog characters she writes about. I recommend this book to ANY dog lover...but especially to those who've rescued a dog from the street, a shelter, or a bad situation. You will enjoy this book. A must-have for your dog library!



4. This is a most enjoyable book and the first I have read to tell how someone begins a dog rescue group. I got my dog from one and have wanted to know more about these groups. The writer should continue to tell her story of dog rescue and of other such groups as well. Her writing style is entertaining and informative.



5. In her book "My Recycled Pets," Randi Berger shares with her readers a deep and personal glimpse into the life of a self proclaimed "dog addict." Randi is the founder and director of Recycled Pets Rescue, an organization that finds homes for dogs that would otherwise be put to sleep. This book chronicles her life and the many furry friends that aided and helped her along the way.
   
   I think the most compelling thing about this book is that Randi Berger's passion for what she does oozes from every page. In her book, Randi allows her readers to accompany her on a journey that takes her from being self centered young adult to the selfless champion of those discarded pets on doggie death row.
   
   This book is mostly a series of vignettes about the many dogs that have passed through Randi's life. These stories are filled with both joy and pathos. Randi's strength as a writer is the way she connects with the reader and is able to communicate her innermost feelings through the pages of her book.
   
   I found "My Recycled Pets," to be a very touching and readable book. In fact it I was not able to read it a quickly as I would have liked because my wife hijacked it from me and couldn't put it down, leaving it unavailable to me until she was finished.

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

1. I was disappointed by the lack of information offered in this book. I have other "pug" books that provide more thorough information and advice in raising this breed. This book did not cover certain symptoms my dog was having as to help diagnose him, so that was no help when needed. I would not purchase this book again, nor recommend to anyone else for purchase. The "Pugs for Dummies" book offers a lot more info in all different pug-related categories.



2. As a new house dog owner, I was very pleased that the authors made it well known they were pug owners-- quite the family I might add! What I liked best about the book was how they gave more specifics than another book I bought. For example they showed a diagram of a type of clippers to use or told exact amounts of food they fed their own pugs instead of making generalizations. Nothing was insulting about how they presented the information, all was very helpful, comforting, and resourceful.



3. First, a little background on my experience with pugs: My husband and I have owned (or rather, been owned) by pugs for more than 15 years now. We love them dearly: they make us laugh every day and accompany us everywhere, from our hikes in the woods to a weekend in Carmel. They are friendly, spunky, reliable dogs who we utterly trust with both elderly relatives and children of all ages. They are clever and all of ours have passed basic obedience with flying colors, although they can be stubborn! Pugs are gluttons and are mainly motivated by food, so you have to keep an eye on their weight. But for anyone who is considering purchasing a pug, there are things you should know in advance, especially about their possible health issues.
   
   All of our pugs have been from Pug Rescue, and so came to us with various physical problems and emotional baggage. The emotional issues are easily handled in pugs with affection, discipline and exercise (see:Cesar Milan). Plus, all pugs really want to do is love and be loved, so once you have met that need, they become much more emotionally stable no matter what they have been through.
   
   Physically, however, pugs are prone to all sorts of troubles, many not so easily remedied. Here is a brief list of what we have run into: luxating patellas, dry eye, stenotic nares, nosefold and ear infections, bladder infections, food and skin allergies, immune-mediated polyarthritis, abraded corneas, interdigital cysts; the list goes on.
   Even pug puppies from "good" breeders can have these issues. A couple of our rescue pugs have been from "backyard breeders," people who just breed pugs without really knowing what they are doing. But one of our pugs came from a stellar breeder in L.A. who charges $1200 per puppy (don't ask how this pug came into rescue -- it's a long story) and that pup had serious medical issues too.
   
   All this by way of saying, a pug is a major investment. You may get one that is super healthy, but you may not. Phil Maggitti's book is an extremely helpful "first-glance" book for both people who are considering getting a pug and those who already have one or more. That is, the book is a wonderful introduction to the many aspects of pug ownership. Maggitti does discuss the medical issues but he also does a fantastic job explaining the pug personality, which is not easy to capture! He is a very good writer, and there were times when I found myself laughing out loud at some of his stories, and nodding in agreement at other times. And all this in such a slim volume! This is a gem of a book that no pug person should be without.
   
   One more thing: if you are considering purchasing a pug, you should know that they SHED. They shed TONS, a fact that many breed books will not share with you. Not only do they shed, but their fur (especially the fawns) is barbed, so it sticks onto clothing and upholstery with remarkable tenacity. We have worn out many a vacuum in our quest to subdue the pug hair, but it continues to overwhelm us on a regular basis. I mention this only because a good number of pugs are turned in to rescue because the owner claims "I didn't know they shed so much. I thought shorthaired dogs didn't shed!" Not so. Trust me! If you can get past the tumbleweeds of fuzz, though, pugs really are the best, sweetest, funniest, most loveable dogs you could ever hope to share your life with. We adore them, and so does Phil Maggitti!



4. the book is great and I really feel it has alot of information on how to train pugs... I will be a first time dog owner when I finally get a pug and I feel I have learned alot about dogs and how to handle the situations that pugs can get themselves into without hurting the dogs progress in training or their feelings!!



5. Maybe I was hoping for too much? But I didn't find it particularly in depth. I still had lots of grooming, health and vaccination questions.
   
   On the other hand...this isn't a generic dog health/training book. And the author has several pugs and knows the breed's quirks.
   
   It's the most entertaining dog breed book I've ever read, but not the most informative.

2 comments about Build Complete Confidence with Horses: Beat Fear and Excuses to Attain Your Riding Goals.

1. Kelly Marks' s new book is most useful and entertaining. Within is an enormous collection of helpful strategies for managing the moments of trepidation that life with equine beings can contain. It is a veritable tool kit of ideas which can just as easily apply to life in general as to life with horses. One of her suggestions was to try singing nursery rhymes, so, to a sometimes obstreporous young Arabian, his owner sings "Mary had a Little Lamb". Great results! We are grateful! Octavia Gooch



2. I have Kelly's other books and enjoy her perspective on horsemanship. This book is not about horsetraining, it is about working on THE HUMAN, so if you are looking for specific horsetraining information, this is not it. However, it is an excellent guide for anyone not achieving their goals, whether it be with the horse(s) in their life, or any other part of their life. There are specific assignments in the book to help the reader - so reader involvement is required. This book would be great for any riding instructor who is interested in non-traditional methods.

5 comments about What All Good Dogs Should Know: The Sensible Way to Train.

1. This book is outstanding. It is concise, and loaded with information. The art is great, and also instructive. Even someone with great dog training experience will gain from it.
   
   One thing in it is the questionnaire and brief information for the Drives evaluation of your individual dog. So valuable. I read this book and did that evaluation in an afternoon. Time very, very well spent.
   
   The earlier in your dog's life you read this book, the better. Before you get the dog is great, too. But it will help at any point. It truly will. Thank you so much, author and artist, for another fantastic job.



2. Anyone with a serious yearning to understand learning theory will need more in-depth guides than this book. But anyone whose end goal is a mannerly dog who can be a full-fledged family member would do well to start here.
   
   The beauties of this book are:
   (1) It focuses on manners and context - WHY you should teach certain behaviors and HOW to use them in real life. Other books tend to imply that training a dog is a goal in itself - and I've met many trainers who seem to enjoy training just for the sake of it - but your average family wants to train for more practical reasons.
   
   (2) The authors don't waste time justifying themselves or "selling" themselves/their methods.
   
   (3) It promotes realistic expectations and understanding of a dog - simple stuff that everybody really really needs to know but most don't (dogs don't act out of spite; dogs associate their immediate actions with consequences, so you can't punish them for past misdeeds; etc.).
   
   (4) There isn't any bad or dangerous advice (with 1 possible exception, see #3 below), and it steers clear of controversial hot-buttons topics such as dominance theory.
   
   It has a few nuisance issues, tho they aren't a big enough deal to override the positives:
   
   (1) Using the cue (aka command) before the dog knows to associate it with a specific behavior. It is better to get the behavior reliably and then add the word, but it isn't make-or-break.
   
   (2) The only method they introduce for teaching "down" is physical prompting. Prompting is my pet peeve for so many reasons! After you've taught the dog to respond to the prompt, you have to teach them to respond without it - that's double the work. Dogs have an opposition reflex, so pushing or pulling them down will cause them to resist - that's nature, not stubbornness, which the authors don't address. Dogs that don't like handling will shy from prompting. Dogs VERY quickly become collar-wise, and since the prompting requires using the collar, dogs are less likely to respond when they aren't wearing a collar (the collar becomes part of the cue, basically). Etc.
   
   (3) It shows its age by referring to choke chains as the last resort for pullers (choke chains are terrible for pullers, by the way, because pulling will keep the chain tight - very dangerous), but ignores modern alternatives such as harnesses and head halters.
   
   (4) There isn't much in the way of troubleshooting. They say go to your dog rather than call them to you for unpleasantries, which is absolutely vital. But what if your dog begins to associate your approach with unpleasant stuff, and begins to run from you? So, you may need another book for "troubleshooting."



3. A friend on mine gave me this book, she currently has 6 dogs and havs used this book to train all of them. I really enjoyed the book. It was an easy read with very easy to understand methods, funny little comics, and it got right to the point. Grant it my Pup is only 11 weeks old and I'm still having some trouble with a few things with her, but not much. I suggest you give this book a whirl especially if you have read other books and feel they haven't helped much.



4. So easy to follow & understand! And, the cartoons throughout are great!
   Without this book, I would have been completely clueless when it came to getting our first puppy housebroken & trained. Because of this book, we now have two fantastic dogs (one who is 1 year and one at 6 mos. old). This book completely debunks so many age-old dog training myths - how to dicipline, not rewarding inappropriate behavior by accident...etc. I would have done a lot wrong without this book! Very humane, thoughtful & insightful into the world of puppies and dogs. If you've ever wondered "why does my dog do that?" you'll find the answer here. Bravo to the authors!



5. This is one book that every dog owner, or potential dog owner, should buy! It doesn't matter if you have a Rottweiler, a Chihuahua, or just a good old Heinz 57 dog, this book is for all dogs. Cute illustrations and sound advice on how to make your dog the good doggie citizen of the year abound in this book. It addresses common issues like housebreaking, walking on a leash nicely, crate training, and much more. I highly recommend this book!

5 comments about The Dog Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Troubleshooting Tips, and Advice on Lifetime Maintenance.

1. This is now my favorite dog book of all time! My favorite part of the book is the Top Selling Models page where thay talk about some well known breeds. A lot of my favorite breeds are on it like the German Shepherd, Chihuahua, Doberman Pinscher, American Staffordshire Terrier, Collie, Poodle, Dachshund, Basset Hound, Beagle, Akita, Boxer, Jack Russell Terrier, Greyhound, Pug, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever and the Newfoundland!! My "model" is a Newfie. What they said about them is so true. They drool A LOT but they are just sweethearts, and the ideal owner is someone with a large house and yard and we have that. and I was so happy that they are in it but only in one picture which is my favorite picture. It's the picture of the Top Selling models on pages 30, 31, and on 36, and 37.This book is very informative too. I never knew that raw carrots and air popped popcorn without butter and salt could be good snacks for dogs nor did I know that if dogs eat too many onions they're red blood cells will burst. Ever since I learned that I give my "model" raw carrots all the time! He also loves bannanas. But I knew some facts already like NEVER leave your dog in a car in hot weather and never feed dogs chocolate. So all in all this is a really great book just keep in mind for those of you who are parents there are some pictures in this book that aren't appropriate for kids. So if your looking for a "model" to love and have a friend GET THIS BOOK!!!



2. What makes this the perfect book for new dog owner is its readability. The authors keep you entertained from cover to cover, while providing you with all the information you need. In addition to being a good book for new owners, it's also something that you can easily refer back to whenever you have questions because it's well-organized into logical, bite-size bits of information.
   
   When I got my new puppy, I received this book and "The Art of Raising a Puppy." I read The Dog Owner's Manual in one sitting; I never made it past the first few chapters of "The Art of Raising a Puppy." Why read a novel when you a highly entertaining version of Cliff Notes!?



3. This book is incredibly informative and hillarious at the same time. Talks about the dog as if it's a new car or microwave and not a living thing. Information is given in a way that's easy to understand and entertaining so you might actually read the whole thing. Also got the guide for babies for some new parents I know and they found it quite amusing as well.



4. If you've never owned a dog, it's a good place to start. If you own a dog or are getting a new puppy soon, it's a fun way to brush up. Loved the illustrations!



5. This book is the funniest book i have read in a long time. While it is very informative, I would highly recommend it as a gift for anyone, dog owners and people without a dog.
   
   It had my friend and I in stitches and tears the whole half hour trip home from the city. Anyone on the train would have sworn we were on something other than just sugar and happiness.
   
   Would not recommend as a book for young dog owners as some of the pictures are rather inappropriate.
   
   Buy it, you won't regret a cent of what you pay.

5 comments about How to ROAR: Pet Loss Grief Recovery.

1. It was an OK book. When one is grieving, just about anything out there to help cope is a good thing. I found the poems very moving but some of the workbook questions were redundant.



2. this was a gift for my mother. She lost her beloved Beaux san in May. She said although the questions were hard to answer-it helped her work through her grief. She said since it is a work book-it forces you to remember and write down info regarding your pets death, which has been very helpful in helping her come through this very difficult time. Beaux San wasnt just a pet. he was a very loved part of our family. If you need help with the loss of one of your "family members" this is the book for you.



3. When I first saw the title ROAR i was turned me off as I had just lost my beloved Benji. However, as I read the reviews and learned the author's definition of ROAR - it then made sense. While I did not write in my copy I did use it as a guide in my journaling.



4. This book is easy to read and has been helping me get through several losses.



5. a very heartwarming book to help one through the feelings how to get thru the pain of a lost dear friend and companion. a very healpful guide