Rating: 
Summary: Aversion Therapy Resulting In A Neurotic Dog
Review: Do not use the techniques described in this book to train a puppy. The monks recommend behaving like the Alpha dog in order to "train" your dog. This entailed grabbing the puppy by the neck, flipping him over onto his back and screaming in his face. My puppy developed a fear of going to the bathroom after this method was used to potty train. He would hold it in for as long as he could, and when he couldn't hold it anymore, he would be desperate to find something to hide behind so I wouldn't see him go to the bathroom. It took me months to counteract this terrorism with a lot of praise and positive reinforcement. This book does not teach you "how to be your dog's best friend" - it teaches you how to turn your dog into a quivering neurotic mess that is too afraid of you to even think about doing something that you might disapprove of. A much better book with much better advice and much better methods is Barbara Woodhouse's "No Bad Dogs." I would never allow a monk from New Skete anywhere near my dog after the behavioral problems their methods created in my sweet, beautiful puppy.
Rating: 
Summary: Pack approach is common sense
Review: I purchased this book 8 years ago when it was recommended to me by a friend. I utilized the techniques which imitate the social hierarchy of the "pack". I now have a dog who is completely and utterly devoted to me(and I to him). I have experienced a relationship with my dog that rivals that of my dearest human consorts. It is only common sense to employ in obedience training what is an innate canine drive. I highly recommend this book for those who want more than merely a pet.
Rating:
Summary: Outdated and old techniques
Review: This is a good book if you learned "traditional training techniques" such as dominance/subordination "conditioning" and are not interested in learning something new, positive and that works. If you have a dog that has ANY amount of dominance or aggression... DO NOT USE THIS BOOK! If you have a dog that is timid or shy DO NOT USE THIS BOOK! There are much better methods today using positive reinforcement where you will end up with a dog that actually loves you and is happy to please you rather than a dog that is doing what you ask "just because he is supposed to". If you are a woman DO NOT USE THIS BOOK! The methods may work for men who can physically dominate over their dogs, but please do not try these training techniques unless you can manhandle your dog into submission (and why would you want to do that anyway?)
Rating: 
Summary: Dated, but great for its time.
Review: This was one of the first books about non-violent training methods for dogs in the 70s. I liked the book for that reason, but it gives me the feeling of an impersonal relationship with dogs and mine is more like my dogs are my children. Otherwise, given that it's very dated, it is something that all dog enthusiasts should read because it really is a classic!
Rating:
Summary: a mixed barrel
Review: The Monks have some good ideas about dogs. But many of their ideas are scary! They advise hitting a dog til it cries. This is abuse and should never, EVER be done. If you truly want to train your dog, try a more humane approach, like Karen Pyror. The Monks do understand a lot about dogs--but i would never enrust my precious Labrador to them, and I would never use their abusive methods of "training." The thought of so many dogs being cruely trained as a result of the Monks scares me.
Rating:
Summary: You are not a dog; your dog is not a wolf
Review: Here's a sample of the Monks' so-called "timeless wisdom" for disciplining dogs:* Scruff shake. Grab neck, shake firmly, bark "NO!" * Shakedown. Grab sides of throat with both hands, lifting dog's front feet off floor, stare, shake several times, and bark "NO!" * Chin uppercut. "Using a firm cuff underneath the chin with your opened hand...To make this correction effectively, your dog must be anchored in a sitting position with your left hand holding onto his collar. As you make eye contact with your dog, cuff the underside of his mouth with your opened right hand, rapping him sharply several times, as you say
NO!" * Stick finger down throat to stop mouthing or squeeze and shake muzzle hard enough to elicit a whine, and bark "NO!" And these are just the highlights. One of the many problems with these "training" methods is the theory that by imitating wolf behavior, we're better able to communicate with our dogs. There's some controversy whether the Monks got wolf behavior right in the first place, and there's a definite danger that most non-professional trainers will hurt themselves or the dog with this method. Besides, no matter how much you "growl" at them, dogs are smart enough to realize we're not "just like them." There are better ways to communicate with your dog, like positive reinforcement training.
Rating:
Summary: The Monks Have it Down!
Review: This book, by far, is the most impressive book regarding training your dog, building the foundation of trust between owner and dog. A lot of the methods used in this book, along w/ in their first book "Art of Raising a Puppy" I used on my GSD. I had 100% satisfactory results from my puppy, and he continues to carry obedience further by simply wanting to impress me and make me, his "alpha dog" happy. Every dog owner should own this book!
Rating:
Summary: How to be your dog's best friend; A training manual for dog
Review: I have used this book in the past for idea's in training. Very well written.
Rating:
Summary: Cruel and outdated methods
Review: I completely agree with some of the reviewers above, who describe the methods in this book as cruel and dangerous. Hitting, yelling, and using fear to control a dog will only produce a fearful or aggressive animal, not the friend and companion that you want. Please enroll in a local puppy, or adult dog, class that uses praise and positive reinforcement in a fun environment.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: If you purchase this book also get The Art of Raising a Puppy by The Monks of New Skete. Of the two I would buy the other book. This is their frist book and while very informative, the next one is easier to apply and more in depth. Even for the adult dog owner with behavior problems.
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