Customer Reviews
Lots of sensible advice - BUT.... mine is a dissenting voice! - By: F. J. Murphy, 22 Oct 2008 
I bought this after reading alll the rave reviews from other readers. Yes, it has a lot of sensible advice, BUT I found the so-callled "positive" methods were deeply rooted in yank & shove methods that have now been superceded by better training approaches. The acknowledged debt to Barbara Woodhouse rang some warning bells for me - the descriptions & photos of lead corrections, & the use of "training collars" rang even more. I started out training dogs in this way many years ago - then I discovered clicker training & positive reinforcement, & find them easier, quicker & happier ways to a well behaved companion. I find the books of Jean Donaldson, Ian Dunbar & Karen Pryor more informative, more sympathetic, & more useful than this.
Outstanding!!!!!! - By: , 01 Sep 1999 
I read this book in one night... after 2 months of doing alll the wrong things with our puppy. In less than 3 days, she is following basic commands AND has settled down tremendously. It is as if she was replaced in the middle of the night. This book gives easy, practical guides to everything you need to know about your new friend... I just wish I would have gotten it before I went through 2 months of chewing/biting/ puppy ruling the house..... She has improved so much in these three days, I am now excited about the possibilities with her in the next few weeks & for the rest of her life!
A "MUST HAVE" FOR DOG OWNERS - By: , 11 Aug 1999 I have learned an incredible amount from this book! With a very self-assured Shih Tzu puppy, you have to be able to think on your feet! I borrowed this book from the library & after only a few days, my little dust mop is behaving so much better and, I believe, feeling more secure about her place in our "pack". I am ordering the book today because, otherwise, the public library would be missing a dog/human training book!!!
Excellent - By: , 06 Aug 1999 I'm quite a book nut & after having gotten my dog I must have 10 or 12 different kinds of books on his breed & training. tHis is by far the best book I have read. For the first time I am applying what I have read! In the space of a week my dog (Brutus) is already behaving better & wil l hopefully be a much more civilized companion! THank you Brian Kilcommons!
This is the best training book I've read - By: , 24 Jun 1999 Brian Kilcommons has done an excellent job of giving solid training advice to new dog owners. This book is geared towards those who would like their dogs to become solid, well-behaved household members. The book is well-written & easy to understand.
