Customer Reviews:
 WOW June 26, 2008
This is a follow-up to his previous book "Remembering to Breath" and it was an amazing read. Laughs, tears, and a lot of entertainment!
For All Dog People March 8, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
The 2 previous reviewers,who were beginning obedience competitors, really were quite eloquent in their comments about Willard Bailey's two dog books.Since I judged Willard and Honeybear at their very first practice fun match at Debbie Boehm's training ring(seems like 100 years ago),I have a slightly different perspective as we have shown against each other,hi-fived each other and commiserated together over the years.His books make me laugh and make me cry and make me stop and think about similar situations that I have encountered in the world of competition obedience. Most people get a dog,especially a first dog, and have no clue what to look for in a puppy or what questions to ask of a breeder or first trainer.They just like the breed and decide to get a puppy. Most don't even know about competitive dog obedience until they discover it for one reason or another. The second book describes what can happen when a stud dog owner doesn't impart correct knowledge about the bloodlines and genetic deficiencies in ther lines and the breeder doesn't take the time to do the research necessary in being a responsible breeder. You bring a puppy home and almost immediately fall in love with your new warm fuzzy bundle so by the time physical disabilities show up the owner does everything in his power,financially and otherwise, to help the dog and save him from pain. Willard speaks from the heart about his joys and accomplishments, heartaches and sorrows,jealousies and friendships in the world of competition obedience but he shows us by example how we should treat our canine friends if they are injured or aging. He lets us know that dogs deserve our best efforts whether they are competitors or family pet members. He has great respect and affection for his canine family members and all dogs in general. These books are great reading for all dog lovers whether they compete with their dogs or just love their dogs. I anxiously await Willard Bailey's next book.
Nice Sequel October 19, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
As with many other beginning dog handlers, I couldn't put Bailey's first book down. Although I am actively showing my dog in Rally Obedience, his story of Honeybear and his beginnings in obedience competition were just what I needed to read as I was just getting started and in despair half the time. Oddly enough, I recently learned that my dog is part Border Collie and a week before I read the second book, my dog had two seizures. OTCH Dreams about BeBop (a Border Collie who has seizures)amazed me with how relevant again Bailey's book was to my own concerns. I don't know of any other dog stories like Bailey's that deal with a relationship between dog and handler in competition. This book is just fabulous. I am somewhat taken aback at times by Bailey's candidness in talking about people that tick him off. This makes the book very enjoyable to read. Like the previous reviewer, Bailey gave me the motivation to keep going and my dog has done very well since.
An Absolute MUST READ for all Serious Competitive Obedience Students! June 12, 2007
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
Willard Bailey's first book, Remembering to Breathe, saved me from what would have been one of the worst mistakes of my life--abandoning obedience training with my dog, Katie, after our initial unfortunate training with a force trainer. Katie shut down after those training sessions and with her attitude the way it was, I didn't want to impose further harsh training protocols upon her. Willard's book gave me the courage I needed to get back out there and find a trainer and training protocol that did work with both me and my dog. We did, and thanks to Willard, Katie and I are doing great in competitive obedience! It has been an incredibly rewarding, albeit life-changing experience.
Remembering to Breathe and Willard Bailey will always have a very special place in my heart. Being the sequel to Remembering to Breathe, I was unsure that OTCH Dreams would be able to compare in impact and relevance to me on such a personal level. I need not have been concerned, OTCH Dreams is every bit as relevant and in ways, has had an even bigger impact. As in Remembering to Breathe, Willard again blends a joyous style of writing with wonderful touches of humor, as well as imbedding sound training advice that I call "pearls of wisdom." This book is a joy to read even as the first portion of the book sadly deals with the decline and subsequent death of his beloved first obedience dog, Honeybear. It brings to light some very important ethical questions that each of us must answer in caring for our own dogs. Willard brilliantly outlines the innate responsibility each of us has in providing a respectful life AND DEATH for our canine companions. The second portion of the book deals with his second competition obedience dog, Bebop. Bebop started his career as an exceptionally talented Border Collie when complex psychological problems began to intervene. As these problems worsened and manifested themselves in very physical ways, once again Willard had some very tough decisions to make. He very clearly delineates where personal selfishness must stop and respectful responsibility as caretaker for our animals must begin.
I would highly recommend both of these books to everyone, but they will be especially held dear by the competitive obedience community. Both books should be mandatory reading for all beginning serious competitive obedience students. Written in such an entertaining and engrossing style, Remembering to Breathe and OTCH Dreams bridge all the areas that may be a little gray for the Novice competitor, as well as providing expert training tips. OTCH Dreams takes it all a step further and also clearly illuminates the unpleasant subjects of illness, death, and dying and how that correlates with the accountability we have as caretakers to our beloved canine companions. It is so fulfilling to have the honor to own and train a dog, but as their trusted guardians, it is also a tremendous responsibility.
Thank you Willard, for another wonderful, wonderful book and for all your help and support. Katie and I are very appreciative and will be forever grateful.
Karen Thompson, Eau Claire, WI --still...an "apprentice dog trainer!"
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