How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend

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Summary: The most comprehensive book on understanding dog behavior
Review: This book covered it all. A must read for not only those who own pets but also those who are thinking about acquiring a dog. Good common sense approach to a wonderful relationship with your dog.

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Summary: Outdated, harsh methods
Review: This book is showing its years. Modern methods are much kinder and MORE efficient. Some of the discipline methods contained in this book could make a dog fearful and neurotic. It has some good points but beginners to dog training should be wary of it

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Summary: Still the best of all dog books after two decades in print.
Review: My wife and I first used this book in 1980 with our first German Shepherd, a beautiful, gentle and easy to train dog despite strong alpha characteristics. We've given away many copies because it is about so much more than training. The monks have worked with each of our German Shepherds but their approach works with other breeds. Yes, there is a section on physical discipline but there is also a stern caution. This book deserves to read as a whole. We've read it and re-read it over the years, most recently on the death last week at 14 of a great, sensitive and intelligent old girl who was a loyal companion every day of her life. We used the monks excellent puppy book with our other dog, an aging male GSD, and soon it will be time for it again as another companion enters our home. Monks? Dogs? Religion? Don't worry about it. There's nothing to offend anyone. New Skete takes its religious life very seriously, but they are not intrusive. On the other hand, if you drink beer but won't drink the best beer in Belgium because Trappist monks brew it, then you probably won't buy this book and don't deserve a great dog anyway.

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Summary: Timeless advice from those with in-depth understanding.
Review: If more people would practice the principles contained within this tome, fewer dogs would find themselves in shelters and rescue situations. Wonderful insights presented with captivating writing make this book an invaluable tool for those who truly care about dogs. A copy of The Art of Raising a Puppy, Also by the Monks of New Skeet, will accompany each puppy I place in a new home. Being familiar with and utilizing "clicker" and other techniques based on positive reinforcement, I find this book in no way diminishes the value of positive training. Quite to the contrary, it emphasizes the importance of building a solid trusting, relationship with your dog toward greater mutual fulfillment. Don't hesitate! Add this one to your collection!

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Summary: Too traditional -- some bad mixed with the good
Review: Are you interested in training with positive methods? Then skip this book! The monks rely too heavily on outdated methods of discipline. Alpha rolls? Scruff shakes? Sorry, but these techniques are terrifying to dogs, potentially dangerous to trainers, and unnecessary. Yes, there are some great points, but there's no way I'd recommend this book to anyone.

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Summary: Great Book!
Review: Before I got this book, my dog, Casper, would tear up everything and attack people. Until I got this book and learned to get personal with him. Now he is an angle. This book is a must have!

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Summary: Forget Expensive Classes! This is the Best Way to Go.
Review: I was lent this book when I was enbarking on a new adventure in my life. I just came home with a 6 week old Black lab puppy. I was warned how this dog will run my life, and in the process ruin my furniture and chew all things, even if they were nailed down. After reading The Monks of New Skete I was able to take control of my puppy and he no longer was in control. This is the best Do-it-Yourself book. I have recommended this book to numerous friends and they too give it rave reviews.

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Summary: Should be required reading before the puppy search begins.
Review: I found out about this remarkable book after the loss of our beloved Max, an American Staffordshire Terrier. I was given the book to read to help me through the grief of our loss. It helped, but it made me sad that I didn't know about this book sooner. Maybe we could have helped Max understand his, and our place, in the pack. This book gave me the resolve to choose the right dog and raise him right. Shadow, our eight year old Bouvier des Flandres dog has reaped the benefits of this book. Shadow spent nearly three weeks with Brother Christopher at the monastery learning the basics. I got a brief lesson too, but I can read! This book has provided invaluable lessons in how to raise a dog to live with people. Keep it for a reference and give it to friends before they bring home their puppy.

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Summary: Excellent manual on complete dog care
Review: Although I grew up with pure bred German Shepards it had been about 15 years of life without a dog when my stray Newfoundland cross, Sadie, found her way to my door. I needed to brush up on life with a dog and re-learn about full care, training and responsibility for a dog, particularly a giant breed dog. I found this book to be very easy to read, interesting, and a tremendous asset to understanding Sadie's behavior and working with her to help her and us adjust to life as a family. I was very impressed with the common sense approach to praise and discipline and the straight forwardness of the training techniques. This book took the mystery out of having a well behaived dog.

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Summary: This book teaches you to make your dog a family member.
Review: My husband and I bought our first German Shepherd (New Skete's Quintessence, aka "MAX") from the Monks and learned about this book for the first time nearly twenty years ago We used the book ourselves to help train Max and two more lovely German Shepherds since then. This book provides a gentle and completely logical way to understand any dog, to train and coax any dog into becoming the purest love of your life. We've given away copies a dozen times to grateful friends. Keep this book where you can find it and read it often.