Rating: 
Summary: Great Book
Review: Ten years ago, I knew nothing about training dogs. My husband's dog had just died, and I wanted to be better prepared to start off right with our new dog. So, I read every book I could find on the subject, and consulted every expert nearby. This book was the one most helpful resource. I was able to train our new dog with so much understanding that saved me from potential frustration. I took from it what I liked, and disregarded the rest.Now, that dog is gone, and I am getting a cat. I hope to find a book comparable to this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Please, do study the alternatives as well
Review: Leash corrections, scruff shakes, chin slaps and alpha rolls
are described and recommended for certain situations by The New
Skeete Monks in their books, this classic, 'How to be your
dogs best friend', and some of these method in the later
puppy training manual, 'The Art of Raising a Puppy' I'm convinced that most dog owners certainly don't want to
hurt their dog at all, and feel very bad about using harsh
physical correction. Nevertheless, the owner may still resort
to such methods, if he's convinced there's no choise. The Monks advice is unfortunate, as the reader will remain
completely unaware of the fact that harsh corrections are
not at all necessary. On the contrary, more modern trainers
strongly advice against such harsh physical corrections, as
using them tends to be problem prone. Hurting one's dog can
cause far worse problems than what it might solve. There
are safer and far less distressing altnernatives. C.W. Meisterfeld, a dog therapeutist with a long experience
on 'reprogramming' problem dogs, does a good job debunking
the harsh corrections advocated by the Monks. There's a
chapter with the telling name, 'How not to be your dogs
best friend', in his book Jelly Bean vs Dr Jekyll & Mr Hide. The Monks do give a lot of good advice on ohter subjects, but
that is in my opinion overshadowed by the unfortunate advice on
corrections. The correction based training philosophy of
the Monks is outdated by modern standards. I wish I hadn't read the Monks books prior to getting my first
puppy. I'm sorry that I didn't rather read, eg, Ian Dunbar's
excellent puppy training manual, 'How to Teach a New Dog Old
Tricks'. That would have saved me and my dog from unnecessary
grief and problems. If considering reading the books by the New Skeete Monks, or,
eg, Carol Lea Benjamin, Brian Kilcommons or Gina Spadafori,
please do yourself and your dog a favour: At least study the modern more humane alternatives as well. Eg Ian Dunbar, Jean Donaldson, Karen Pryor, Turid Rugaas,
Roger Mugford and Pamela Reid.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing book
Review: I was very anxious to receive this book as it had been very highly rated. I never got past the discipline portion. The Monks recommend that when a dog misbehaves, you should hit him under the chin........and if he doesn't "yelp" you didn't hit him hard enough. THIS IS TRAINING????????? I was looking for a training book on positive reinforcement, not beating and abusing a dog to train him. Now I'm back at Amazon looking for a better training book.
Rating:
Summary: great
Review: A must have book for any new dog owner.
Rating:
Summary: Dog's haven't evolved much since 1978- training fads have
Review: Many people assume dogs experience the world the same way humans do- and the Monks do a great job of teaching a potential owner how to see things from the dog's point of view. Much of the current criticism of the techniques in this book stem from 1. misuse of the correction techniques they outline and 2. the current popularity of "non- coercive" methods of training. If you have a mild mannered pet, you might get away with never correcting your dog, but working dogs- like the kind the Monks are raising- thrive (and in the real world, survive) best in a disciplined environment. I think they make this abundantly clear, and I don't see how any reasonable person could extrapolate that they advocate abusing dogs. They also repeatedly advise getting involved in local obedience classes, which will help with timing and techniques, and for getting a professional involved if there's any chance of getting in over your head. Altogether, this is a book based on hands-on experience with a lot of dogs and their owners, and it displays a remarkable sensitivity to a dog's mind.
Rating: 
Summary: Very outdated
Review: I shudder to think of all the inexperienced dog owners out there who are now doing alpha rolls for ordinary dog behavior. I have herad this book quoted for years so when I finally got around to reading it I was highly disappointed. There's actually a section in the book that teaches you how to hit your dog. Twenty years ago I'm sure that it was a great book but a lot of the theories have since been disproved. I would read the book for reference and then find a book with a more positive approach.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent - Informative - Easy
Review: This book made me the Alpha dog in my pack. Training techniques may change but dogs don't. They are still pack animals and respond on that level. I have used the Alpha Wolf Roll Over technique successfully on several pups. Would I try it on a snarling, full grown dog? Of course not, but when used in combination with the other tips and techniques, it can be very helpful to let a young dog who is challenging your authority understand your seriousness. My in-law's cockerspaniel was a snotty little pup always trying to nip at peoples faces. I gently, but firmly used the alpha wolf roll over, he promptly peed in submission and stopped the annoying behavior. Give this book a chance to help you understand how your dog thinks and responds.
Rating:
Summary: The absolute best
Review: The New Skete Monks book on dog training is full of practical ideas and advice- from doing it exactly the way they demonstrate to comparing with other methods. It is down-to-earth, easy to read and understand. They give you a generous list of books re: training that you can use to compare with their methods. An enjoyable and educational read.
Rating: 
Summary: Great book when it came out. Outdated now
Review: This book was a breakthrough when it came out, but dog training has moved on. There are a lot of good ideas in this book, but there are some very bad ones as well. I would recommend "How to Teach a New Dog Old Tricks" by Ian Dunbar instead. If you do buy this book or you already have it, do not attempt to alpha roll your dog. It is too dangerous. I am a big, fast, athletic guy with lots of experience handling dogs and I was bitten twice alpha rolling one of my dogs. There are better ways to discipline a dog. Better for you and better for the dog.
Rating:
Summary: a bit disappointing
Review: Perhaps at one time this was one of the definitive dog training books, but it's seriously outdated. It also reflects -- far too well -- the times in which it was written. Here is an actual quote from the book (page 74): "The old dichotomies of good and evil, body and spirit, animal and man, are still played out dramatically in pet-owner relationships."
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