5 comments about How to Train Your Labrador Retriever (Tr-103).

1. Great book. Perfect for training the active lab. I love that is comes with a DVD. This book covers everything you need to know about your lab from birth to old age. Wondering though, why is there a golden retriever on the cover???



2. The author gives clear and consice advice that really works. You will not be disappointed



3. This book was great. My 3.5 month old labrador retriever already does "sit", "down" and "shake" on command, thanks to this book. He is also fully crate-trained. I would recommend this book to anyone.



4. Here is an attractive entry by author Liz Palika, a book that takes a loving look at America's singular and by far most popular wonder dog, the Labrador Retriever. As she points out so well, there are few other animals who draw such love from humans as a dog, and surely the Lab is the most loveable of the breeds. Here she presents the Labrador Retriever in all its wonder and does a yeoman service to the rest of us by enumerating all of the superb qualities the dog has to offer potential human enthusiasts. They are by reputation excellent working dogs, both as field dogs and as guide dogs for the disabled. They are also incredibly loyal, and the news services are often filled with wonderful and heartwarming stories of Labs crawling out on the ice to save their masters, often at considerable danger to themselves. Nonetheless, they stand by our sides.
   
   Therefore, this book, "How To Train Your L:abrador Retriever" is a great tribute to the breed, and is chock-full with stories and photos that actively serve to substantiate what might otherwise seem as idle boasts and overethusiastic praise. In fact, for anyone who spends any time around Labs, like me, it is hard not to use superlatives when describing them. More than one of the stories herein will bring a smile to your face, a tear to your eye, and the idea in your noggin perhaps it is time to consider getting one of these incredible creatures into you rlife, and that of your extended family. they boost the energy level in any room they enter, are incredible chick-magnets, and have been shown to reduce high blood pressure and dissipate depression through their mere presence. This is a wond
   ful book, and one I am sure you will enjoy!



5. A good useful book for anyone who needs some help training a Lab. Goes over a lot of general lab information as well as training tips.

2 comments about Why Does My Dog Act That Way?: A Complete Guide to Your Dog's Personality.

1. This book was a very interesting and informative read. Although it was not what I expected, I was pleasantly pleased with what I did get from the book. The book deals with how and why dogs came to be, over evolution, the great companions they are now. Along with a general guidelines of what personality to expect from a breed. However it does go into detail of how it is genetics more than breed that can play huge impact on a dogs personality. There is also a heartbreaking section about dogs used in illegal fighting, as well as inspiring tales of heroic dogs. I think this book is a good read for the anyone who just loves dogs and wants to understand more about them.



2. Interesting in parts, but it didn't live up to the title. I found it to be more of an exploration of how dogs became domesticated over thousands of years, and the ways in which they differ from their wild brethren. There were some good insights, but overall I felt it was too "clinical", for lack of a better word. I much preferred the author's How To Speak Dog.

1 comments about Jumping Problems Solved.

1. Absolutely fantastic book. I use grid work with all my horses and this book definitely has the answer to 99% of most problems. Easy format to read and understand, excellent illustrations, A Keeper! I will not lend out this book, it is too important to me!

No comments about Starting Colts: Catching / Sacking Out / Driving / First Ride / First 30 Days / Loading.

3 comments about A New Owner's Guide to Great Pyrenees.

1. I recently adopted a Great Pyrenees puppy and have never owned one before. This book was very helpful in understanding the breed better. The book has great pictures and information that I found very relative to the questions I had about this breed. There were a lot of tidbits I had no clue about that were brought to light such as these dogs will dig a "bed" to lay in to guard their territory. Totally explains why we keep finding holes in our front yard. Would recommend to anyone thinking about adopting their first Great Pyrenees.



2. This book could possibly be helpful to people wanting a show dog, but if you intend to use your Great Pyrenees for what it was bred for, guarding livestock, it is no help at all. I bought the book hoping for some advice in correcting my two Pyrs' bad habits like digging and chewing. The book basically said that my dogs chew because I hurt their feelings by leaving them outside and not letting them in the house. Puhleese.



3. I bought this book searching for information on the Great Pyrenees Dog. I was in the process of buying a puppy and wanted to know everything I could about the breed. This book answers all your questions and some you wouldn't think of asking! Kim Lansley has put together one of the best Pyrenees books on the market. Very well put together and informative. The pictures are beautiful and the layout wonderful! I would highly suggest this book to anyone interested in buying a Great Pyrenees Dog.

5 comments about Marine Reef Aquarium Handbook.

1. The was is a great over veiw for people just getting started with the reef hobby. However if you are an intermediate hobbiest the book is very basic and you will most likely not learn anything that you do not know. If your new its a good book to start with.



2. This book was thoroughly disappointing. Provided OK information, but was entirely too technical in its approach. If you do not have a Ph.D. in biology then do not bother with this book, you will not understand it.



3. It should be rated at 5 stars but I give only 4 stars because of its technical nature and my beginner's comprehension. After that, it is a compact guide full of useful, hands-on info that helps the hobbyist create their own ideal aquarium environment.



4. Don't get me wrong, this book is good, however... while reading the book, it uses mostly the scientific names for everything. It would be nice if after the scientific name, it has a common name in parenthesis, you know, using the names the fish stores use. Other than that, it is a decent book.



5. Yes, 5 stars! Pound for pound (and dollar for dollar) this is one of the best books on marine reef keeping you can buy.

   I own several reef and aquarium books. They range from the brilliant, to the not-so-swift-waste-of-money types. The "Marine Reef Aquarium Handbook" by Robert J. Goldstein ranks waaaay up the list, kept from the top only because of its brevity.

   This book touches on a LOT of topics, and it covers them in enough detail to really help you understand and apply what you need to keep your reef (or any aquarium) running well. Due to its (somewhat) small size, it does not cover topics in great detail. Depending on what you want, that may or may not be a good thing. There is however, enough information, written in plain English, for any aquarium keeper--from rank beginner, to the Old Man in the Sea--to learn something new.

   No, this book doesn't contain the depth of information that one of those $80 marine reef books does. But it contains a wealth of information and will send you well on your way to starting up a reef or maintaining your current reef. Even if you're just looking for an interesting read, you can't go wrong with the "Marine Reef Aquarium Handbook" by Robert J. Goldstein.

2 comments about Boston Terriers For Dummies (For Dummies (Pets)).

1. This is not really a book about Boston Terriers - it's more of a general book about dogs. There's less in this book about the breed than you would find on the first page of a Google search. This was a waste of money.



2. This is an excellent book for people who own Bostons or those who are interested in the breed. You will learn about the origins of this spirited little hybrid dog (Bostons are the result of crossing old English bulldogs with small white terriers) as well as how to train and care for your Boston throughout your pet's life.
   
   Bostons are delightful, high spirited little dogs. Small and compact, they have bulldog faces and hardy, sturdy bodies. They are extremely intelligent as a breed and need a lot of one-on-one handling. Bostons are generally eager to please and make wonderful family pets.
   
   It is important to know how to care for pregnant Bostons. Fortunately, this book has a good section on pregnant Boston bull care. More often than not, pregnant Bostons have to have their puppies delivered by C-section because Boston puppies have extremely large heads that would make for a difficult delivery. Feeding and making a place for the pregnant Boston is included.
   
   This is an excellent book for anybody who owns or just plain loves a Boston bull.

5 comments about Your Border Collies Life : Your Complete Guide to Raising Your Pet from Puppy to Companion.

1. An essential book for every new border collie owner. This book covers all the basics: from puppy selection to rearing, from training to feeding. This IS your reference manual. Call it 'Border Collies for Dummies'. I am new to the breed, and these dogs truly are differernt. So glad to have found this book. Don't let other reviewers steer you away: this book is definitely about border collies. I recommend buying 2-3 books on border collies, since there will be differing perspectives and opinions on some matters. Also, different breeders/experts bring unique insights to raising and owning a border collie. Either The Ultimate Border Collie or The Working Border Collie is a good companion to this book.



2. This is a well written, easy to read, guide. The authors are knowledgeable and expressive. Subject coverage is complete and this book is an excellent addition to one's BC library.



3. This book is okay, but I was disappointed to see how much general dog information is included in the book. This information applies to all dogs, not just Border Collies. I've got many books to use as a resource for this type of general info. I am looking for Border Collie specific information and found only a small part of this book dedicated strictly to Border Collies. Very disappointing.



4. If you have any questions on Border Collies,this is the book to have!I was very impressed.It is filled with all kinds of doggie tips & fun facts.This covers all aspects of this wonderful dog.It includes chapters on why you might want a Border Collie,preparing to bring you dog home,grooming,training, and for those of you who already have a Border Collie, curbing the herding instinct & correcting problems such as barking or biting. A wonderful book to have, I loved it.



5. This book is a wonderful book if you want to know all about border collies. It offers a detailed description of all aspects of dog care, breed-specific training tips, and all the facts about Border Collies. If you are thinking about getting a border collie puppy or adult this is a very informative resource. I highly recommend it.

1 comments about Canine Oregon: Where to Play and Stay With Your Dog.

1. Canine Oregon: Where To Play And Stay With Your Dog by Lizann Dunegan is a handy travel guide for Oregon pet owners who reside there, or who simply come a pleasant vacation with their canine companion. Listing suitable canine accommodations, pet-oriented shopping, doggie daycare, hiking routes, and more, Canine Oregon: Where To Play And Stay With Your Dog is an excellent fact-filled information resource which is especially commended to the attention of Oregon bound dog owners.

5 comments about Dog Talk: Training Your Dog Through A Canine Point Of View.

1. I've been reading book after book on dog behavior, trainging, etc. in preparation for my new puppy. Of all the books I've read this is my least favorite. I feel like the tone of the book is a over-simplified while other great books like "The Other End of the Leash" and "Good Owners, Great Dogs" respect the intelligence of their reader. I also think that using the book recommended "NHAA" over a simple "No" is silly. Anyway, this book is alright, but there are MUCH better out there. Try the two listed above as well as "Positive Perspectives; Love your dog, Train your dog" by Pat Miller and "The Art of Raising a Puppy" by the Monks of New Skete.



2. I've read a LOT of dog training books over the years, from the earliest Koehler (traditional trainer) to the latest "fad" titles like "Positive Puppy Training Works" by Joel Walton. John Ross's book really boils down the basics to brass tacks, and makes it easier for the layperson to understand. I don't use a text for my classes, but if I did, this would be it.

   The thing I like best about this book is John's balanced approach. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to learn that dogs, since they can't learn our language, need for us to communicate in ways that are meaningful to them. Balanced training is just better communication, period. Dogs understand it, so they learn faster. The "positive only" folks out there want you to think all corrections are going to ruin your relationship with your dog, but that is simply not so. Humane, effective corrections are a part of teaching dogs, and if you train the right way, you don't need them very often. Ross explains how to train the right way, with praise, rewards, and yes, corrections if needed. He's not afraid to tell it like it is. I find this refreshing, and I know--it works.

   I do agree that there is no substitute for a good training class, including this book. Use them together (you do have to do your homework) and you will end up with a really well-behaved dog. Since training never ends, the book will give you something to refer back to to keep Fido in excellent form long after the class is over.

   You owe it to your dog to communicate with him in a language he understands. "Dog Talk" will show you how.




3. I bought this book (amongst others) 8 years ago when I got my first dog. After reading all of the dog books I could lay my hands on, I decided to try this one. I followed it religiously and it worked like a dream. As a result, both my dogs are amazingly well trained and behaved. By the time they were six months old they both responded to spoken commands as well as hand signals. I can leave food out on the table without fear they will eat it when I'm not in the room, leave them in a down stay for as long as I need and take them for walks without being dragged. They even go pee on command! Neither one of them took or needed obedience training.

   Fair warning though, it does require time and effort. It isn't enough to try it once and give up if it doesn't work right away. If that is your approach then you should probably look for professional help.

   Also, while the book gives you excellent ideas and methods, it is not a cookbook. You can't simply follow the instructions exactly and expect it to work perfectly for every dog.

   Dogs all have their own personality and likes and dislikes. While one of my dogs will do rolls until the cows come home, the other hates doing even one. The book requires creativity and sensitivity on the part of the owner. If you don't have those qualities, it's probably best to find a pro who does.

   I've loaned this book to a dozen people since I got it. Just about every one of them loved it and used it to either train their dog or rid their dog of a bad habit. If you are the type of person who likes working with your dog and wants to teach him to do more than just 'sit', this is the book for you!




4. I purchased this book back in 1993 when I and my dog participated in a class with the author. The book has everything that was covered in class and more. By practicing with the methods outlined in the book, it transformed my dog from a pain-in-the-neck to an excellent companion. We recently got a new puppy, and we are going to be using "Dog Talk" again.



5. This book is full of great ideas and concepts. I purchased the title based on average customer review, and really grasped the concepts within. However, once I finally got my dog, I quickly learned that many of the things the book takes for granted lead to much frustration on your part. Dogs don't just sit in front of you, though that's one of the big points the book relies on. Dogs won't just stand next to you, no matter how hard you make them try. Pick up the book if you want a nice read, and want to have some great concepts, but take the time to follow-up the book with some hardcore, professional obedience training. Doing it yourself will result in hours of frustration, and an unruly pet.