Rating: 
Summary: Good Book, Great Trainer!
Review: I'm a Veterinary Technician, thus get many questions about puppy training and see a number of behavioral "problems waiting to happen". Brian's book and The Art of Raising a Puppy by The Monks of New Skete are the top two books I recommend owners to read. Both books are quick reads -- filled with easy-to-apply positive reinforcement training techniques and give the "whys" behind the behavior.I've seen Brian in action -- he's a high-energy trainer and an entertaining speaker. Within two minutes, he had a 6-month old puppy he'd never seen before following him on leash, watching his every move, and obeying commands in a heartbeat, all done with positive reinforcement. This dog barely followed his owner and would not obey commands until told 3-4 times. I walked away from his seminar with a lot of practical information I could reapply at the vet clinic and at home.
Rating:
Summary: Understanding Your Dog (s)
Review: I purchased this book after attending a seminar held by Brian Kilcommons in November of 1997. I have two shepherd crosses and our female was our "special needs" dog in that she displayed some very anti social behaviour, due to fear. Brian's book confirmed my view on dog training in that he does not use physical punishment in training your dog. I wouldn't raise my hand to another adult, child or animal for any reason. He provided excellent suggestions, insight into behaviour, along with interesting and helpful "case studies". I have read numerous books on dog training and the minute I see any mention of training a dog using physical punishment, aggressive behaviour on the owner's part, confinement in an area as punishment for any length of time, etc. I have no use for the book. Brian's book, in addition to being a must for all dog owners, I recommend it to anyone who has a dog, is also an interesting book just to read. Thanks very much Brian. We have too beautiful dogs and they are very well behaved and our "special needs" little darling has replaced her special needs with needs such as all the love, care and attention we can give them.
Rating:
Summary: Best dog book of the 4 we bought
Review: This was by far the best of the books we bought to help us raise our new puppy. It has lots of very practical advice and is clearly written with a love for dogs and a nice sense of humor.
Rating:
Summary: Practicle Dog Training Advice
Review: As the author of "ASK OKSANA," a tongue-in-cheek dog advice website that is 'written' by a delusional Borzoi dog, when fans write in and ask serious behavior/training questions, GOOD OWNERS, GREAT DOGS is the only book that is recommended to ASK OKSANA's fans because Brian Kilcommons is one of the few dog trainers that really knows what he is doing. In this simple book, Kilcommons is able to impart his practicle dog training methods so that one can follow his advice and actually see results rapidly. There's no magic to obedience training; it's a matter of establishing who is Alpha and conveying your commands to the dog and praising instantly when the dog is doing what you want him to do. Yes, there are others who preach food rewards and clicker training, but what do you do when you have no treats or the clicker? This book teaches the basics and gives advice on other important subjects like introducing a new pet to the household and other areas where owners commonly make mistakes. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Good Owners, Great Dogs
Review: If ever there was a book for dog training that should be on the shelf of every home it's this one! As a professional dog trainer that specializes in the "family dog" I recommend this book to ALL my clients for the following reasons: It's well written. It's practical advice with a dash of humor, as you can't raise a puppy without a sense of humor! Don't have a sense of humor? You'll get one quick when you get a puppy and get this book! Of course my slant on this book is as a professional. But I will say that the feed back from my clients who are novice dog handlers is 100% positive! I highly recommend this book not only for yourself if you need training advice, but give it as a gift to a friend who is "expecting" or to your neighbor with the jumping lab!
Rating: 
Summary: A few issues...
Review: Having adopted a 4 month old puppy several months ago, I've read through this book at least 3 times but have also taken my dog to puppy kindergarten. While I like how this book has lots of pictures and easy to understand training exercises, I do have a few complaints. First, I find the layout of the book really confusing. The exercises don't seem to be grouped logically for a beginning dog trainer, and I almost always end up having to skip around to 3 different sections of the book just to look up 1 problem. Second, I don't agree with the book's recommendation to use a cinch collar, especially for someone trying to train a dog for the first time. As they point out, there is a specific technique you have to use to get it right without hurting the dog, and I think it may be difficult for a newbie to master this without guidance, especially if they aren't going to a class and only relying on this book. For my puppy we used a prong collar which won't damage throat as easily, and in fact we have since moved to the Gentle Leader collar, which we love. All in all, though, I have found it a helpful reference.
Rating: 
Summary: Cowering Dog
Review: If you want to produce a cowering dog who is afraid of your every move and of his environment, this book is for you. If you want your dog to be a great companion, do not implement the scare tactics prescribed in this book. Look instead for the positive reinforcement techniques in books such as The Complete Idiot's Guide to Positive Dog Training by Pamela Dennison or The Other End of the Leash by Patricia B. McConnell.
Rating:
Summary: Finally Training for all Experience levels
Review: I am reading this book cover to cover. It is very well written, easy to follow with great illustrations. I have competed in obedience but has been awhile so content is familiar, but a great refresher and good for an age level to learn from easily.
Practice makes perfect! I've learned alot of new ideas that make good sense. You have to learn before you can expect the dog to learn. He covers everyday home issues, manners around strangers, other dogs, starts from picking the right pup to the senior pet.
This is money well spent for ANYONE with a pet or training for obedience competition!
Rating:
Summary: Yes! You've Found the Right Book
Review: Buy it, Read it, Live it. It doesn't matter whether you've owned dogs in the past, are adopting a puppy for the time, or have had your current dog for years...both you and your dog will benefit by your reading this book. The authors cover everything from the most basic questions and safety issues to things that you should look for in your own behavior that may be confusing your dog(s). I've owned & lived with five dogs in my life and personally taken three through obedience training, but only after reading this book do I feel confident that I finally understand WHY dogs behave and react the way they do. In fact, after reading the first few chapters, I started to notice other dog owners (walking in parks, on the street, in their own homes, etc) who struggle to "control" their dogs without success and who continue to repeat the exact actions Brian & Sarah warn against. We've just adopted a new 18-month-old dog who had no prior obedience training. She had been surrendered to Animal Control three times in her life. After one week of applying the approach and philosophy described in this book, we are already seeing our dog calm down, eat regularly, and obey basic commands. Miraculous! If you're happy yelling at your pet in frustration, having it jump up on you, and steel from your dining table, then don't buy this book. Your pet doesn't respect you and you're either apathetic or have a high pain threshold. Whatever, it's your choice and your fault (Fido can't make you buy the book!). If you want a happier and more "mature" relationship with your pet, you MUST read this book. In a more perfect world, every breeder and SPCA adoption process would include a copy of this book. The fact is, 95% of pet owners simply DO NOT KNOW how to raise/train a dog. We merely need to take about as much time to read this book as we would to learn how to play a video game or use a coffee maker. If everyone did so, there would be far fewer abandoned and surrendered dogs due to the failure of their owners. Save your dog (and your sanity), buy this book and enjoy living with your faithful four-legged friend (it's never too late).
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful dog training book
Review: If you have a dog question this is the book for you! I have used this book on many instances to help dog behavior problems my dogs have had. I would most definately recommend this book to anyone!
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