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.

5 comments about Animal Blessings: Prayers and Poems Celebrating Our Pets.

1. This book is excellent. It helped me after losing my precious beagle to cancer, and I got another to pass onto a friend after she lost her dog after a long struggle with a brain tumor. It is insightful, respectful, and an excellent book. A treasure if you have that special connection to animals. Those who do will know exactly what I mean.



2. For a pet lover - this is a book to have in your library. A rare find of poems and messages to comfort one in the loss of pet.



3. For anyone who has ever loved an animal, this is a heartwarming little book. No need to read it just once - pick it up anytime.



4. I was given a copy of this book after we lost our dog. I like it so much that I now get a copy for every friend who welcomes a new pet into their home or someone who loses a pet. Sometimes I cry and sometimes I laugh when I pick it up to read. I find myself going back to it every now and then and always find a page or two that brings a smile to my heart.



5. I have given this book a number of times. To friends who have lost their pets, to friends who have recently acquired new pets and have gotten the same reaction - Thank you so very much! I can't go through it without a dry eye or a smile.

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

1. I was disappointed that this book was so basic. Was just not what I was looking for but I've owned dogs for years, but it would be good for a first time pet owner.



2. I paid a lot of money for next day service since I wanted the books for a present that weekend. I got them the next day exactly as promised. It meant a lot to me since I was giving it to a still grieving widow who was just given this breed dog.Bichon Frise (Complete Pet Owner's Manual)



3. This is a compact, well done little book. It always refers to the needs of the bichon, unlike many other publications which give information that could apply to any breed. Barron's has a good reputation for accurateness and completeness and maintains it in this publication.



4. I have been an AKC breeder of Bichon Frise for five years. We have had a total of 30 healthy puppies. Everyone of our new owners has been given this book. I feel that it has a lot of excellent information about the breed, their care, history and personality. When a family has children, I give them assignments from this book before they take their new puppy home.
   It is full of pictures which is great as well.
   I order it from Amazon, because their price is lower than the book stores!



5. If you're looking to get a dog and you don't have any dog books, this could be a good general one on the selection, care, and training of a dog, specifically a bichon. I have a bichon, and would definitely like to see more details on items covered, such as what to do about hot spots, why bichons run in circles, etc. The author tends to repeat himself, too. I would suggest other books that compare breeds if not sure on a breed, or get another book on training or puppies. This book is a good intro, but can't stand on its own.

5 comments about The Working Retrievers: The Classic Book for the Training, Care, and Handling of Retrievers for Hunting and Field Trials.

1. Good book I think. My grandson seemed happy to get it but I have not checked since he received it to see if it was helpful. Since it was a Christmas present I wish it had been hardback.



2. The book starts out great and continues into valuable information. It is great information for any owner of a retriever.



3. this was a good book with a mix of training for hunting and field trials.... if your interested in just training for hunting and dont want extra garbage thrown in, go with game dog



4. This is one of the best books I have read about the labrador retriever. From start to finish this book is a good reference for the total labrador retriever experience. If you have a lab or or thinking about getting a lab, this is an excellent reference.



5. A must read for anyone desiring a hunting companion and a friend for life. From the initial chapters, I felt I was having a conversation with a friend regarding how to properly train and care for a life long companion.

2 comments about Track Finder (Nature Study Guides).

1. This is a quick and dirty field guide. It's good for what it is. It simply covers prints/tracks. Its a great beginner book, or pocket guide. Don't expect a telephone book with hundreds of color photos. It's a good guide for the price.



2. This pamphlet is not what I expected. It was better than most in helping a novice in identifying tracks. Would recommend it to anyone interested in identifying animal tracks throughout the U.S.

5 comments about Remembering to Breathe: Inside Dog Obedience Competition.

1. This is a book that's hard to put down - the story of Skip and his beautiful Golden Retriever is inspirational and very touching. There are more than a few laughs in this story and (for those of us who aspire to compete in AKC obedience) very inspirational.
   
   I recommend this book to anyone who has a good dog and enjoys the special bond that this relationship offers.



2. I read this book twice. Then when my dog chewed it up I bought another copy. Lots of great information and an inspiring story. Well worth the money.



3. I enjoyed this book and found the authors trials and tribulations similar to my own. It was easy to read and had several helpful tips as well. Although it's more of a novel, it can help us novice folks learn some of the ins and outs of dog shows. I doubt if someone who is already a trainer, or who is show wise would find this book helpful. But..for those of us just beginning it's great!



4. I was looking for something that would give me a more practical approach to obdience training and what to expect. The book is helpful, but the story approach wasn't what I was looking for in an obedience guide. I would have preferred more details being in the obedience ring rather than the tale of the author and his dog through their preparation for obedience competition.



5. I am a new obedience competitor with my rescue dog. I loved this book! It really tells you the nuts and bolts of training and competing.So much of what he says is exactly my experience so far (only 5 months). I especially liked his description of how his addiction to the sport resembled a user's first rush with cocaine.Dog competition really is addicting and this book will tell you all you wanted to know without being dull and academic about it.

5 comments about Clicker Training for Your Horse.

1. I've just begun clicker training (hence 3 stars for now) for my baby donkey and so far, so good. I'm going to continue reading the rest of the book and then training all three of my girls. Thanks for making this possible, they can be rather stubborn at time :-D



2. I have read every word in this book, and re-read the directions for using the clicker to reinforce training. It is fascinating, and it works! I was afraid to try it, thinking that conditioned response can be like a razor in a monkey's paw if you don't know what you are doing. But, the author walks you through the process so you can progress as slowly as you want. I tried the initial exercise with my horse, and it was amazing how quickly he caught on! Now I am branching out to real world uses for this process. It is worth reading!



3. If you're thinking of getting your first horse- or if you've already brought it home and are now too intimidated or green to know what to do with it- or maybe you had an accident and have become afraid of horses- this is the #1 most important book you can get to learn how to build your confidence in order to create a relationship of mutual trust and respect.
   
   I remember when I brought home my first horse (I thought she was a monster!) someone recommended this book. Within the first session, we were best friends. Even though I had been giving her treats before, CT put it in a frame of referrence where the horse realizes there's a *formula* for getting treats. (And they figure it out very quickly!) This makes the horse act very eager to please the trainer (you). The more you see your horse acting in predicatble ways, in ways that you ask of it, the more you see your horse taking a positive interest in working with you, you rapidly gain confidence. Within the fist week, I was riding my new horse with total confidence.
   
   You can even accomplish this relatioship building method over the stall door.
   
   To this day, I still use CT- whether I'm starting a young horse or reshaping engrained "bad" or dangerous behaviors of an older horse. There are so many ways CT comes in handy. When a horse gets out of the pasture, all I do is click and it will *always* turn on a dime and come straight to me. If we're riding and there's a garbage can rolling in the road making my horse nervous, all I do it cue her to "touch" (which she knows from experience will result in a click)- she does what I ask, in turn learning the garbage can is no threat, and gets her click and reward. The we can ride on. (Much better than the big snort-fest, trying-to-bolt mess the situation would have been pre-CT!) Your horse doesn't take the bit? CT will very quickly cure that one. Wish your horse would self load on a trailer? In most cases, it would take about one 15 minute CT session to teach a horse to self load. The list goes on. You name the problem, CT can fix it.
   
   Kurland's book is the best one on the subject. You'll be so glad you bought it.
   
   P.S. You don't need to use the little clicker box gadget to do CT. I mimick the clicker box sound with my tongue. I found the clicker tool was never handy when I needed it- so I decided to just skip it and found that clicking with my tongue was just as effective. Just a tip! :0)



4. I recently rescued a former show shetland who was hard to catch, turned his rear end to me when I opened the stall door, was bad with his feet, and was a terrible windsucker. I had bought this book a year earlier but never used the principles (my own horse is "perfect" ha ha). I needed to be able to catch little Pedro reliably, as soon as possible, in the dry lot, so I stabled him and taught him to target a tin can, then to hold his halter ring over the lead rope snap. This took a few minutes a few times a day, over only TWO days. He now comes up to me voluntarily, not just off the dry lot but even OFF the grass, and holds his head out so cute to be caught, even without the clicker. I also used the clicker to reward him for holding his feet still for cleaning and rasping, and now he stands like a champ for "lawn chair farriery". Finally, the "fun" aspect of clicker training created such trust in him that he is far more relaxed and sucks wind FAR less often. I have even used it to reward him for interrupting his habit to walk toward me instead. This simple little method is terrific for the problem horse, it should be dynamite for a good horse who just needs to learn!



5. I am so pleased with the joyful attitudes I see in my horses when I go out to the barn. This approach has opened up so many possibilities for us.

5 comments about Chinese Crested: A Comprehensive Guide to Owning and Caring for Your Dog (Kennel Club Dog Breed).

1. Having a 5 month old Crested puppy, I purchased this book to find out more about the breed, and I did. Yes, you can surf the web and get info, but in this book, the information is all together in one spot. The book is well organized and gives general information on almost every topic. What I liked about this book over other books is the fact that the book gives the differences between the hairless and the powderpuff, which is what my puppy is. For every new Crested owner, this is a great reference book.



2. I have come across millions of crested books, and this is by far my favorite. it is extremely informative, and very detailed. the pictures are great. it covers everything you would need to know, right down to alot of diseases, illness's, flea treatment, things not just associated with the breed. the history section was FABULOUS!
   
   great pictures, great book, worth every penny.



3. Very beautiful book with very beautiful photographs of the heaps of explanations for the care and grooming and in more it is not published in French , very invaluable.



4. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Excellent detail oriented breed book for Chinese Cresteds. Lots of wonderful background information on where the breed originated. This is a must have for anyone considering or even who owns a Chinese Crested. One of the much better written breed books.



5. I purchased a hairless Chinese Crested. First, I read this book. The 8 week old pup I had flown to me developed coccidia (stress of weaning, leaving mom, travel, new home, new owners) after two days, which then led to hypoglycemia (stopped eating and blood sugar crashed) and died within one week. This book doesn't stress the fact that "toy" puppies can easily have this problem and what to do at the early signs to save its life. Unfortunately, my Vet didn't know what to do either. I learned from surfing the web, after the problem. That would be your best bet to learn about this breed, including possible problems that the book does not cover.

5 comments about Training Your Dog: The Step-by-Step Manual (Howell reference books).

1. My husband and I used this book 17 years ago for our Black Lab. This book is the best tool out there to assist in training your dog. It had worked so well for us 17 years ago that I had to track this book down again to use on my Chocolate Lab, she is 5 1/2 months old and is doing tremendously well with this training also. She is crate trained knows speak, sit, down, stay, come, wait commands etc. We are on week 6 of training with her. I recommend this to anyone that wants to find a fast and effective method in training.



2. nice great book, een if youve already started training your dog. i noticed a difference the first day!



3. I've been trying to train my bitch Spaniel (CoCo) for a long time but she is so high-strung and independent that I've had terrible problems....until I found THIS book.
   
   I cannot stress enough how helpful, clearly written, and effective this book is for dog owners of all ages.
   
   The cognitive behavioral aspects delving into the intricacies of canine development ensure that owners truly understand what to expect from their dogs at each developmental stage as well as the reasons behind canine behavior - all immeasurably important issues.
   
   This book is awesome and is THE BIBLE of how to train your dog.



4. Hello! I'm training my Golden Retriever puppy with this book, and Volhard & Fisher's training methods have worked wonders!!! My puppy, at four months of age, has been taught to sit on command, heel on command, and down on command. You can also teach your dog signals for the commands you want them to do, which can come in handy if you're talking on the telephone or chatting with a friend while walking your puppy. The main idea Volhar and Fisher teach you during this book is "positive reinforcement", which is a really handy training method to use. If their methods can work on my stubborn, rambunctious, sly Golden Retriever puppy, this book can definetly perform miracles with YOUR dogs!!!



5. Hello! I am a twelve-year old that recently found this book in my public library. I don't have a puppy, yet, but reading this book helped me to understand the mind of the dog. I think it's so cool you can start training your puppy as soon as you bring him home!
   Several times I have considered switching my training books to more faster methods, but in the end, many people find out that the "fast" methods don't work. It's better to take your puppy's training slow, I mean, if you're lazy and can't take fifteen minutes of your time every day for eight weeks to train your dog, then you shoudn't own a puppy at all.
   The book itself, considered by many people "boring", is actually very awesome! The little cartoons and comic strips found inside made me laugh my head off. The whole book has a light, humorous plot to it, which made the book appeal to me in the first place.
   So, trash your other training books and the little electric collars and the rolled up newspapers and start reading "Training your Dog". I am so excited to start training MY puppy with this book!

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

1. very informative and great pictures, but some of the advice seems a little outdated.



2. I own this book and it was a big help educating me prior to adopting our greyhounds. If you are a greyhound enthusiast, this book is for you.



3. Excellent book. You can always learn something new about this fabulous breed of dog. Read it cover-to-cover



4. This book is a very easy read, and had the basic information that I was looking for.

   One thing I was in search of that I had not found was a checklist of what to have when the greyhound comes home, and GREYHOUNDS provided that.

   It also has basic nutrition, basic health care, and well-written.

   Good for anyone "just" interested.




5. I bought this book from my local Greyhound adoption group after reading two other books. Unlike other highly reccomended books, this one is easy to read, to the point, and has lots of beautiful (and comical) color pictures. It has lots of basic information about Greyhound behavior, care, training, and fairly extensive first aid and medical info.