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 enlarge | Author: Mike Wombacher
Publisher: M. Wombacher
Category: Book
List Price: $16.95
Buy Used: $4.94
You Save: $12.01 (71%)
New (5) Used (22) from $4.94
Avg. Customer Rating:  26 reviews
Sales Rank: 178194
Media: Paperback
Pages: 124
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 7.2 x 0.4
ISBN: 0971303304
EAN: 9780971303300
ASIN: 0971303304
Publication Date: September 21, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: softcover, minimum shelf wear and tear, creased, slight bent corners, may have pre-owner and text inscription, minimal highlighting/underlining. Advice shipment date!
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| Customer Reviews:
 This book may save your dog's life August 26, 2005
12 out of 14 found this review helpful
The behavior you tolerate from your dog before your baby is born may become intolerable after your baby is born. Does your dog sleep on your bed? Bark at passerbys? Run through the house? Beg for food? Pull on the leash? Refuse to come at the park when he finds something more interesting than you? Each of these behaviors take on a whole new dimension when you have a baby in the house.
Imagine cuddling in bed with your sleeping baby only to have your dog jump on the bed and start rolling around. Imagine spending an hour getting your baby to fall asleep only to have him awoken by your dog barking at your neighbor's cat walking down the sidewalk. Imagine your dog barreling through the house while your little one is toddling about. Imagine walking down the street with your baby in your arms or in a stroller and having your dog pull you all over the place. This is not a pretty place to be. You love your dog. But you will love your baby more. If you don't have a baby yet, it is hard to imagine loving anyone more than you love your dog. But, it happens. And, you will grow to resent your dog when he/she interferes with the quality of your baby's life. I know because I have three dogs and a ten month old baby.
Wombacher's book has restored sanity in our lives and taught us how ALL of us (my husband and me, our baby, and our dogs) could co-exist in a way that works for everyone. In particular, if you follow his Doggie Twelve-Step Program you will effectively teach your dog that you are in control, not him/her. You will be able to keep your dog quiet while your baby is sleeping. You will be able to take your baby AND your dog for a walk. You will be able to have your dog in the same room as your baby without worrying about your dog running your baby over.
Some other reviewers have objected to Wombacher's advice because he suggests the use of some aversives like a squirt bottle. If you are lucky enough to have a dog who responds to positive reinforcement only, lucky you! But, not all dogs are so compliant. I learned this the hard way with my dog who became more and more dominant and headstrong despite endless "good boys" and treats. Positive reinforcement is great for teaching the nuts and bolts of obedience, but it doesn't allow you to exert control over a dominant dog. I worked at a humane society that only employed positive reinforcement techniques. Unfortunately, I watched several beautiful, intelligent, fun-loving dogs get euthanized because they were out of control and positive-reinforcement-only training didn't address their underlying dominance issues. They could sit, down, stay, shake hands, and speak on command; but when it came to barking or chasing squirrels or resource guarding, the positive-reinforcement folks failed and the dogs were euthanized for being "unadoptable." I realized that I would rather squirt my dog with a spray bottle and put a citronella bark collar on him than have to take him to the vet to be euthanized after he hurt my child.
A must for anyone with a baby (or a baby on the way)!
There' A Baby in the House: Preparing your Dog for the Arrival of your Child August 21, 2005
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
This is an excellent book. I cannot understand the comments from the people who use "positive" only training methods. Mike also uses positive methods, but will also use appropriate discipline when needed. He never uses any harsh, cruel or inhumane methods. He rewards with praise, treats, and alot of love. This book is so well written and illustrated, and addresses all issues you should know before you bring your baby home. It will definitely improve your relationship with your best friend. Mike Wombacher knows what he is doing, and it shows in this book.
Author's response to some reviewers August 14, 2005
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
I am the author of this book and feel I need to respond to several of the reviews below. As you will see, there are two types of reviews here: extremely positive and extremely negative. This reflects a split in the training world between trainers who feel that the only way to train is "positive only" and trainers like myself who emphasize positive reinforcement and use some compulsion where necessary. In the positive only training world one is NEVER allowed to use any kind of aversives whatsoever and squirting a dog with a little jet of water (which is about as aversive as it gets in this book) from a squirt bottle is equated with kicking it across the room. As anyone who is raising children knows, one has to set behavior boundaries and generally speaking this is not possible when one is not even allowed to say "no."
The fact is that the approaches advised in this book focus heavily on positive reinforcement and treat based training but are also realistic when it comes to setting absolute behavior boundaries. The fact is also that I've received hundreds of letters from around the country from parents thanking me for this book because it helped them in a simple and humane way.
Personally, I will never bow down to the politically correct "positive only" movement at the expense of dog owners who need simple and realistic solutions now.
 Terrible advise... June 13, 2005
9 out of 15 found this review helpful
I was so excited when I received this book. Almost immediately though I started to notice the type of training that he encourages. Throughout it he suggests muzzle holds, squirting her with Binaca or Bitter Apple and pushing and/or shaking your dog. My dog is already well behaved, I was looking for something to show me how to actually prepare my dog for my new baby, this book seemed to be a terrible beginners training guide.
Everything that I've been reading and my obedience classes have been saying is to avoid aggression of any sort, you can't force control over your dog regardless of her size. This book seemed to encourage it on every page. I'd hate to think of what my sweet, submissive Lily would do if I started holding her mouth shut and shaking her. I don't think a German shepherd is going to be as submissive with my child after being treated so roughly.
When I bought this book, I also bought "Childproofing Your Dog" by Brian Kilcommons and thought it was excellent. If you're looking for a training guide I would suggest "The Art of Raising a Puppy" and "How to Be Your Dogs Best Friend" both written by The Monks of New Skete or take them to obedience classes.
IF YOU REALLY LOVE YOUR DOG, DON'T BUY THIS BOOK!!! May 17, 2005
4 out of 13 found this review helpful
What a terrible approach! Don't loose your money and your patience with this book.
I think it's pretty sad, coming from a certified expert on dog behavior...
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