Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 21
 Dog training must have July 10, 2006
Barbara S. Handelsman (Rome, NY United States)
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book teaches all aspects of competitive dog training using positive methods. Excellent resource guide for both the experienced and or novice trainer. I have given it to my friends as a gift and they were delighted.
Dog training book that's in a league of its own February 1, 2006
L. Carol
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Diane Bauman's book is one of the best books in its genre. It is not at all surprising that the author's a winning trainer of up to four breeds in obedience trails. The recommendations in this book, like its title, go beyond basic training (clicker or otherwise), taking owners one step further into tweaking and polishing oftentimes assumed basic but nonetheless important commands like HEELING for dogs. Its succint chapters make it convenient for the reader to pause and assimilate some of best (but not necessarily the easiest for less experienced handlers like myself) tried and tested methods to teaching dogs how to think and even preempt(!). The book's only drawback is one that is purely aesthetics (lack of colored photos) but one that is overcomed by the author's highly motivational style of writing. This is a book for owners with an aim to cultivating a deeper relationship with their dogs via the systematic construction of a repertoire of common vocabulary. While I have no wish to put my three dogs through obedience trails, Bauman's book still scores very highly in the must-read list of dog training books as it will help anyone who's keen to hone their skills in dealing with their dogs in a loving yet firm basis. 5 stars for readability, effectiveness and excellence in being in a league of its own!
Fantastic for Anyone December 24, 2005
NewMom (Fredericksburg, VA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This book is well written, well thought out, and addresses the needs of many kinds of dog owners! There is frequent use of show dog terminology, but, other than that, I found this book a great supplement to dog training. It describes this experienced trainer's methods for ending up with a great relationship with your dog as well as a happy, well trained dog. Anyone who actually cares about their dog's mental and emotional health will benefit greatly from this book, whether you want a show dog or simply a well trained animal. The author is well-read and cites other works where appropriate- it's just a wonderfully put together reference.
John 14:15 May 3, 2005
Patrick Walsh (Rochester, NY United States)
6 out of 18 found this review helpful
"If you love me, you will obey what I command." -- John 14:15.
Obedience is an aspect of Love. And since love can only exist in a mutual relationship between two beings, obedience exists only in a mutual relationship between you and your dog. Christ commands us to be obedient to his command, not to intimidate us, or to put us in a guilt trip, but to give rise to the love between Christ and Man. And Christ promised, "Ask and you shall receive." And we will get what we need to thrive in our faith.
We must treat our dogs the same way. We must demand obedience from them. But we must also recognize the demands of obedience upon us. We have to recognize and fulfill the dog's commands to us. We must provide a loving, caring atmosphere in which he will thrive. As the dog learns how to respond to us, we must understand why he is responding to us as he is. He will make mistakes, and this book correctly tells us to encourage those mistakes. Correction is not applied to honest mistakes, but rather a correct analysis of the dog's reponse to our command, and an adjustment in the teaching process to obtain the correct response from the dog.
The idea of this book is quite revolutionary. It assumes that the dog thinks about things, and tries to solve problems that are posed to him. And this thinking process is cultivated in the dog. Dogs thrive better when they are taught to obey, rather than trained to obey, as Ms. Baumann would put it. This book challenges us to challenge our dog to achieve the goals of the obedience trials. These goals also include commands which may someday save your dog's life, such as the emergency "Down," and emergency "Come" commands. The real beauty of this method is that the puppy's enthusiam is harnessed to create an enthusiastic, well-trained dog who is confident, and understands clearly what is expected. Confusion, or muddled understanding is not comfortable for the dog, just as it is not comfortable for us.
Would you rather work in a job where all you do is stamp bills "Paid in Full" all day. Or would rather work in a job where new challenges and problems to solve come up on a regular basis. I would rather have the latter job, and I am pretty sure my dog would to. Challenge him to reach new levels of obedience, and strive with him toward that Utility Dog title.
If you love your dog, give him a rewarding existence, and to do that you have to teach him to be obedient, and you have to be obedient to his needs, and provide for his physical, nutritiional, and emotional needs. If you do this, then indeed the dog will become your best friend.
Learn to love your dog, and teach, not train, your dog how to love you.
 One of the TOP 5 training books!! February 10, 2005
M. Mercedes (East Coast, USA)
18 out of 25 found this review helpful
First of all, the criticism about the methods in this book being outdated, or cruel, are mostly without merit. Unless you are training the rare dog who is genetically geared to perform on command (such as the toy poodle), you will find the methods in this book to be tried, true and invaluable.
Bauman stresses throughout the book that ONCE you understand how to communicate properly with your dog, you will **NOT NEED** to correct him often to get the results you want. She carefully and methodically explains the correct form to use in order to efficiently communicate your wishes to the dog. She precisely lays out the methods and tools you need to get there. And anyone who thinks you do not have to TEST your dog's training by setting him up to fail (or succeed) will be the first to have their "trained dog" dart out the door... or run out into traffic... the first time a darting squirrel, or other irresistible temptation crosses their path.
Wimps and "nice" people-- who are afraid to firmly control, train and correct their dogs and thus demand obedience from them-- are responsible for the out-of-control, knock-the kids down, run away from home, fear-bite, bark until the police come, and terrorize the household dogs that overfill the animal shelters all over the country and are euthanized by the hundred of thousands every year.
People who frown on this kind of training are the usually the same people who believe that a dog's first desire is to please you. NOT SO! Dogs and children are born to please themselves FIRST. It is only through positive reinforcement (and sometimes fear of repercussions) that the dog (and the young child) learns that it is much more satisfying and rewarding to please you FIRST. It takes time to teach your dog that when you're happy it makes life grander for him too.
I have noticed that the same people who wince at firm training methods are often the liberal, overly-indulgent parents who are "pals" with their children (if they have any) instead of being a parent, and whose kids consequently grow up to be spoiled, angry and confused.
DOGS ARE NOT DEMOCRATS. They don't understand consensus vote, or rule by the majority. Dogs are hard-wired to be members of the pack and desperately need to know where they fit in with their own "pack." Above all, they crave and hunger the security of understanding their place in your world. They can never be your true buddy until you fulfill your duty and behave like the Alpha dog you are supposed to be. ONLY then can they relax and trust you wholeheartedly. Only then can you be truly be their "buddy" and know the joy of true camaraderie with your dog for the few short years that you are blessed to share their life and have them as your soulful, loving companion on this planet.
BLEEDING HEARTS beware!! You may be offended by what superficially appears to be old-fashioned methods of training, but I'll bet dogs trained with the precision and understanding that Bauman's book offers will ultimately love you more... because they know their rightful place in the universe, and with this knowledge they will WANT to please you deep down in their beautiful doggy hearts because you have earned their trust AND respect!
|
