Rating: 
Summary: The Monks Know Dogs-Does The Book Help You Train Your Dog?
Review: When deciding to buy a puppy, this book was recommended by the breeder. We have owned dogs before, but wanted help in training a dog the "right way" this time. This book was helpful. We found enough useful information in the book to get started. The Monks love and understanding of dogs gets your mind in the correct "place". Instead of reacting to your new puppy with habit or first instinct, you learn a new way of viewing the animal's nature and needs. As far as actual training methods or how-to's, it didn't go far enough for me, however. It does cover the most basic things, but the Monks second book is required reading if you want to fully train your new pet.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellence
Review: I agree with the gentleman from New Jersey in that the Monks DO in fact celebrate their technique quite a lot in their recent book. However, it is always coupled with the technique itself. I am 22 years old and purchasing a GSD for the first time and was hesitant due to my inexperience with GSDs, however, this book provided more insight that I ever expected. The monks teach you how to view your puppy's world through their eyes. Many people don't think about what the DOG may be expecting from YOU. I firmly believe that once you have grasped that concept, your relationship with your puppy will escalate to levels you couldn't imaging - and this book will certainly pave the way.
Rating: 
Summary: Helpful, but not 5 stars.
Review: This book has some helpful information, however it focuses on a celebration of their technique rather than the technique itself. Maybe the first book should be purchased as a companion (though its copyright is 1978 and may be dated).There is too much about their success stories. It just didn't feel right to me. Worth a look, but not to be relied upon as a sole source for training information.
Rating:
Summary: Sensitivity Plus
Review: In July 1997 I wrote the following review for this book in our breed club magazine. It is probably worth repeating it. My thoughts have not changed. Some books are more special to me than others. On my shelves I have many books on dog behaviour, obedience, psychology etc. but there is one that stands head and shoulders above the rest when it comes right down to the nitty gritty of raising puppies, and that is the most sensitive of books, "The Art of Raising a Puppy". Back in 1978 The Monks of New Skete published a book entitled "How to be Your Dog's Best Friend" and told how the Monks obtained their first German shepherd in 1966 and how "Training dogs grew organically out of our experiences with our own dogs". Their careful breeding and training of their German shepherds and the training of visiting dogs became the means of financing the running of their community. "The Art of Raising a Puppy, published in 1991 is a quantum leap forward in sensitivity; I loved it from the moment I read the first few pages and was gently lead through Anka's gentle birthing of her puppies. It matters not a jot that these are all German Shepherds; we can easily relate everything to our Rhodesian Ridgebacks. The affinity these monks have developed with their dogs almost sends a shiver down one's spine. As I read on I felt myself agreeing wholeheartedly with what they were saying...and wishing that I could have been the one to say it! They have managed to convey all the minutiae of canine behaviour that only constant and vigilant observation teaches and then convey it to the reader. I could not find a single area of puppy upbringing that was not covered; from the initial decision to purchase a puppy, finding a breeder, aptitude testing, general care, basic training for puppies, lessons from the pack, discipline and common puppy problems, and much, much more: a veritable wealth of knowledge all in one book. For instance there is a chapter entitled "Reading your Dog" (one of my favourite hobbies) with subtitles, Canine Communication, Vocal Communication, Visual Communication, Olfactory Communication, Pack Dymanics and Training the the Pack. And throughout the book there are excellent photos, some of which give you a puppy's eye view of the world, also their adaptions of the classic illustrations of canine facial expressions and body language. This magic book will certainly enlighten those who misread the messages that out canine friends give. In "How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend" they speak of "inseeing" and its importance in your relationship with your dog ..."Inseeing is standing inside your dog's psyche, putting yourself at her centre, where she is a unique, individual creature, and understanding her from that perspective", and they again reintroduce this concept in "The Art of Raising a Puppy" The closing chapter reminds us that "When you take the time and energy necessary to raise a puppy correctly, wonderful things happen. The dog becomes a friend.
Rating:
Summary: An Absolute Must
Review: I think this book should be required reading for anyone about to get a puppy or anyone involved in the business of training dogs. This book has such a kind, thoughtful and effective method of relating to and training your puppy. Wonderful!
Rating:
Summary: Perfect for the amateur who wants a friend & companion
Review: My husband agreed to a Dalmation for my wedding present in spite of all the misgivings he had about the breed. I purchased many books on dog training to ensure that our dog would be a welcome member of the household all its years. In each of them, I felt that there were holes in the philosophy, problem solving that might cause injury to my dog. I wanted a well thought out, cohesive plan that addressed daily training, submission, and problem behaviour within a philosophical framework. This was the book that became our bible. It was sane, safe for both the dog & us, and it showed immediate results. We got our puppy at 8 weeks, by 12 weeks she would sit, lie down and stay on command for up to 15 minutes whether we were in sight or not. The techniques in the book were so effective that we were able to implement them easily, with just a little time set aside every day. When we began puppy classes at 6 mos., we were immediately promoted to the advanced obedience class and worked with dogs that were showing successfully in obedience with two of the top trainers. They owned and showed the #1 and #2 obedience dogs in the country. Our dog is now 7 yrs old, because of how good she is, we can take her everywhere. She is welcome at our friends, neighborhood children come to play with her, there are even restaurants that insist she come in. Our dog owes the fact that her life is full and happy to this book. She has never had to be tied up, left behind or locked in a room. The quality of her life is so much better,because these monks shared their knowledge in this book. People always ask how we trained her, we go to your website, print out the page and give it to them, because we do not want them to think any training book will do. Ideally, people would read this book before choosing a puppy and then be completely prepared for the sustained effort needed in raising and training a dog.
Rating:
Summary: Definitive dog-training guide
Review: This book was invaluable to me when raising my puppy 2 1/2 years ago. The monks of New Skeete, who breed German Shepards have such a wealth of information and experience, they couldn't even fit it all into this fabulous book. I had some specific concerns and they even gave me advice over the phone. Regardless of your dog's pedigree (or lack thereof), this book will get you from housebreaking to lifelong companionship.
Rating:
Summary: Helped us immensely
Review: My husband and I are new to "puppyhood" and wanted some help. I did some research and was swayed by the reviews of the New Skete Monks' book. I am very glad I purchased this book. It offered us insight into dog behavior, specifically in regards to living in a pack. We have had our Shepherd/Chow mix puppy for one month and she is wonderful. She's 10-12 weeks old (we're not sure) and can sit, lay and roll over on command. We just got her an eight week old playmate on 1-29-00 who is also a Shepherd mix of some kind. We are implementing the techniques we learned from The Art of Raising A Puppy with her as well. I was very nervous about the Chow in our first dog since I was attacked by my brother's 12 years ago. However, the info on the owner establishing yourself as pack leader was indispensable. I feel more confident in training our dogs and am less fearful of their aggressive behavior when it occurs. I am now going to purchase the New Skete Monks book on How to be Your Dog's Best Friend. Highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: The Art of Raising A Puppy
Review: I am sorry that some people do not find this book helpful. I still believe that the animal becomes what we want it to become. The Monk's have been very helpful in what we do here at our Kennel. We have been very pleased with the progress that our pups produce when they are taken away from their mother. Please take the time to realize that every training technique is different and will not work on every dog. Puppies are produced by parents who have been raised by HUMANS. I believe the reference of this book is very helpful and hope that many other people find it helpful. Please remember to rely on well-rounded advice.
Rating:
Summary: Great book for the novice puppy owner
Review: This book is well written and deals specifically with puppies. It gives some ideas and techniques for picking a puppy and even a few tests to determine how dominate or submissive the pup might become. There are good descriptions of the phases a puppy goes through and it really helped me understand why my puppy acted one way then suddenly changed his behavior. The book also explains the benefits of a crate, prevention of bad habits, as well as solutions to common problems. I probably got the most from the section on preliminary obedience training. Instead of just playing with my puppy I used the book as a guide to develop exercises designed to prepare him for formal training. My dog and I now attend obedience classes and he is way ahead of the other dogs because of this.
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