The Guilt-Free Dog Owner's Guide: Caring for a Dog When You're Short on Time and Space

My vet recommended this book to me when I brought home my first puppy. I was 23 years old and had had dogs, but had never been completely responsible for one before. This book helped me to house train her and to turn her into a wonderful pet who was my constant companion for a decade. When it came time to get another puppy, I went back and read the Guilt-Free Guide again. It was just as helpful, and was a wonderful reminder of how to work with my latest puppy. I am happy to say that she is happy, healthy, and well-trained, too. It would be nice if this book was updated. There is some information which is a bit dated. However, I just purchased it for a friend who is struggling with his first puppy, and I am certain it will be as helpful for him as it has been for me. My summary: a great book for a first-time dog owner. I particularly recommend it in combination with some of Caesar Milan's books or videos.

This book is in my top 5 of doggie books. If you work, and even if you don't, read this book. The writer lives on planet earth with the rest of us and our dogs. I wish I'd read it first and I may not have needed the 48 of the 50 others I read also. My dog has been saved. It turned back into a normal dog, and I once again live a normal life, after I followed the recommendations in this very easy to read book. It gives some very valuable insights into how to care for your dog on planet earth. The writer should be congratulated for promoting responsible dog ownership. Most writers are too busy promoting themselves.

I got this book in 94 or 95 and ultimately it changed my life. Previously I had thought, as a full-time worker in a rented house, I could not offer a home to any of the many unwanted dogs in the UK. This book encouraged me to look at the possibilities - arrange a neighbour to come to the house at lunchtime - ask the landlords nicely, having arranged 3rd party insurance for the dog - find out what dogs *were* happy to sleep in the day - arrange walks and training and toys for them when I was there - how to avoid separation anxiety - that sort of thing. I now have a middleaged retired racing greyhound and an elderly Whippet and foster retired (2 years old and up!) racing greyhounds. And somewhere down the line, dogs lives are saved. The book is realistic about dog ownership - the poo, the pee, the vomit, the hair, the chewed things, the barking, the exercise whatever the weather - and makes you face up to it. I would recommend it to *all* prospective dog owners, whether short of time & space or not - the quiz at the start on "whether you are suited" (q: the dog comes racing through the living room with your underwear in its mouth. Do you a) scold the dog b) laugh and do nothing c) gently take it from the dog, praise it, and remind yourself not to leave it on the bedroom floor in future?)