Good Owners, Great Dogs

This book is an awesome training book for owners of puppies and adult dogs alike. Brian writes in a conversational style, he provides plenty of examples and personal narratives, and his many black and white photographs are excellent for driving his verbal point across (after all, isn't it much easier if you see how you are supposed to put a dog into a down or sit position than reading about it in a lengthy paragraph only?) The book covers how to train dogs to sit, stay, down, heel and have door manners, what games to play with your dog (and which to avoid), how to use positive and negative reinforcement, how to make it safe for you to approach the food bowl, how to use a training collar correctly, and many other useful daily commands/activities. We like this book also, because it does not only address training, but also basic dog care (from puppy to adulthood to old age), dog development, and he addresses common problems that each dog owner faces when teaching each command or facing daily life with a dog. We read THE ART OF RAISING A PUPPY, HOW TO RAISE A PUPPY YOU CAN LIVE WITH, and PUPPIES FOR DUMMIES, but NONE of the books live up to GOOD OWNERS, GREAT DOGS. Brian knows what he is talking about and he opens your eyes to things that you do that give your dog the wrong message (dog barks, you look - Bam! YOu just taught your dog how to get your attention; dog stops and peeps down the street during a walk, you stop, BAM! You just taught your dog how to get you to stop and give up your leadership). Simple, when you think about it, but many times you don't, and so Brian really gets you thinking about all these little things your dog does and how to interpret them. We got an 8 week old Mini Schnauzer, never had a dog before. By 9 weeks, he knew how to sit, by 12 weeks he knew how to down, stay, place, and wait properly at the door, by 14 weeks he knew how to stand still on a groom table to be examined and combed/clipped. Granted, Mini Schnauzers are smart dogs, but we truly believe that our dog is so great in part because of Brian's wonderful expertise. We wouldn't want to be without this book and still use it on a regular basis for refreshers and quick advice. If you want to get your money's worth, buy this book. It will make your life and your dog's life a lot easier, and it will facilitate the communication that you both will be having with each other. Brian is like a translater, all you have to do is to learn the translation so you can be a good owner with a great dog.

If ever there was a book for dog training that should be on the shelf of every home it's this one!As a professional dog trainer that specializes in the "family dog" I recommend this book to ALL my clients for the following reasons: It's well written. It's practical advice with a dash of humor, as you can't raise a puppy without a sense of humor! Don't have a sense of humor? You'll get one quick when you get a puppy and get this book! Of course my slant on this book is as a professional. But I will say that the feed back from my clients who are novice dog handlers is 100% positive! I highly recommend this book not only for yourself if you need training advice, but give it as a gift to a friend who is "expecting" or to your neighbor with the jumping lab!

I truly believe that it's a sin to get a dog and not give it any obedience training. Dogs are of a pack nature and someone must always be the leader of the pack. If you aren't designated, they will designate themselves.Dogs need to know who's in charge. They're happier that way when they know their boundaries and what they can and cannot do. They become true friends, yet with you being the friend in charge. This book is very informative. Brian Kilcommons was taught by Barbara Woodhouse. One of the greatest dog trainers of all times. He shows you how to teach you dog obediance in a very firm, yet sensible, humane,(no hitting)way, yet not a"namby's pansy" and ineffective way, that I've seen with some other dog training programs. We brought home a big untrained dog from the SPCA who, while we were away for the day, literally ripped our home to pieces. He wouldn't do one thing we told him and I thought we had made a big mistake with this HUGE dog and would never be able to control him.I wanted to bring him back. My daughter suggested this book. Within ONE WEEK this dog was doing almost everything we told him to and he was happy doing it! He never touches ANYTHING of ours now. He waits politely at the door when he wants to go out. He used to knock me over trying to be the first one to reach the door. He won't cross the threshold of the open door unless you say it's okay. (Comes in handy if the police ever show up at your door), because they will shoot any dog that runs at them. In play or in aggressiveness. He used to run all over the house to avoid a bath, tearing it up in the process. Now, when I say 'It's bathtime he walks down the hall, into the bathroom and climbs into the tub, all by himself! He used to snatch his dog toys out of our hand biting us accidently in the process. Now, he waits nicely and sits and when you do hand him the ball, he takes it ever so carefully by the side of his teeth so he won't accidently bite us. The list goes on and on. Some people teach their dogs the nasty habits and aggressivenenss and maybe don't realize that THEY are the ones responsible for the dog bad behavior. Brian Kilcommons explans this and shows you how to correct it. Even older dogs have broken bad habits with his program. You can see he truly loves dogs. They are his life and his book and video is a joy to have. My niece has a great Dane who is a horror. She's even been to obediance school. but, they don't enforce any of the training at home. The dog is the boss of the house and knows it. She does what she wants and she's NOT a joy for their family to be around and they admit it. We wouldn't trade our dog now for a million bucks. I have recommended this book to them. I also have the video with the same title. With both book and video them in hand and the firm resolve to stick with it, there is no reason why anyone should have a dog that is a "holy terror". [email protected]

Brian Kilcommons has written a how-to masterpiece on commonsense dog training! He does Barbara Woodhouse proud by carrying on her no-nonsense approach to living and working with animals. My copy of his book is so well used that I can nearly quote entire passages! I have loaned it out to several family members, and will probably have to buy a new copy, because my brother doesn't want to give it up! The only time that this book isn't effective, is when the reader refuses to follow the simple instructions given. I am sold on his methods, and wish that I had stumbled upon this understanding of dog behavior 15 years ago. It would have enabled us to keep 2 or 3 "impossible" pets! This is a MUST READ for anyone who considers themself a dog lover, but has had trouble training a dog. We couldn't live with our dogs without it!

As a long time dog owner, who believes strongly in basic manners training for all dogs, I was pleasantly surprised by the common sense and practical approach to dog training that was taken by this author. This book is truly a tutorial. With all phases of the experience covered, from buying that cute little puppy to working with older dogs that require correction, Brian Kilcommons displays an easy knowledge of his subject matter and an ability to communicate his methods to the dog owners. I particularly liked his "train the owner, then train the dog" approach. This book provides the "why" in why certain methods work, not just the "what to do." It contributes to an understanding of what makes your pet tick, and how to understand and communicate with your pet. An educated owner is a happy owner. A happy owner with an educated pet is even better. An excellent and helpful text.