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Summary: Old school methods
Review: Kilcommons' and Wilson's methods belong to the 'old school' of dog training, which are nowadays seen by the representatives of the 'new shcool' as unnecessarily harsh, punitative and problem prone while not being particularily effective. It is a major shortcoming of this book that it fails to discuss the wide range of different approaches to dog training, and merely presents the authors' own view as the only truth.While I have little doubt on that the methods described by Kilcommons and Wilson wouldn't give working results in many if not most cases, I think that someone learning about dog training should at least be aware of the modern non-coercive approaches, like those of Janet Donaldson, Ian Dunbar, Karen Pryor and Turid Rugaas. I find the reviews on this page a bit scary, as it seems that many of the reviewers have found "the" solution in Kilcommons' and Wilson's book. The kind of approach that a particular dog trainer should choose from the continuum of approaches should probably depend on his and his dog's personality, as discussed eg by Susan Barwig and Stewart Hilliard. As also described in B&H's excellent book on Schutzhund work, the novel insight taken from behavioral science to dog training during the recent decades, as pioneered by Pryor, has clearly shifted the emphase towards the non-coercive end of the spectrum. Kilcommons' and Wilson's book largely fails to reflect these developments, and I therefore find it outdated. Much like the other respected old school books, eg those by the New Skeete Monks and Carol Lea Benjamin.
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Summary: A Godsend
Review: I would have been lost without this book. I was having a hard time getting my puppy potty trained, and this book changed everything, for my puppy and myself. I highly recommend it. The advice is practical and easy to follow.
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Summary: Terrific Book!
Review: This may be one of the best books I've read on the subject of dog training. I would put Brian Kilcommons up there with The Monks of New Skete and Uncle Matty(watchers of public television will know who I mean). Kilcommons helps you to train and relate to your dog from his (or her) perspective. My dog, Fred, will attest to that! I got better results from these training methods than from any other. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a dog-whether it's a puppy or an older animal.
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Summary: My first and best training book
Review: This was the first book I bought before I brought my standard poodle puppy home 7 years ago. It was invaluable as I was unable to start training until my puppy had completed all of his shots, and I was scared spitless. The methods are tried and true and combined with the formal obedience training classes and positive food reinforcement, we graduated top puppy and handler in class that year. The recommendation for crate training and the methods used to get the puppy used to the crate were a godsend. He apprenticed with Barbara Woodhouse, that was a big draw for me. I once saw Barbara do a demonstration at a mall over 20 years ago. What she could do with a dog in less than 5 minutes was amazing. I recommend this book to all new dog owners.
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Summary: Thank God for this book.
Review: If my sister hadn't sent me this book, I would have continued my well-intentioned training methods riddled with blunders, confusing myself as well as a 4 mo. old Border Collie. I've owned this book for two weeks, just finished it, and have changed my views on training forever. I've implemented all I've learned in my daily sessions with Daisy and the results are totally great. She responds very well, eager to please, eager to learn, especially with my positive attitude and confidence during the lesson because I finally understand how to teach the material and WHY. I have a happy, busy pup and took the time to write this critique because I am so impressed with this book. If common sense practices appeal to your intellect, get this book. You won't be disappointed.
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Summary: Good book for stories but BAD FOR TRAINNING
Review: IF YOU WANT TO TRAIN YOUR PUPPY, AVOID THIS BOOK. If you want to see some examples of how dogs become bad, this is a good reference. This book contains simply traditional methods. I've read a lot of books about dog trainning. This is the one that puts too much emphasis on CORRECTION. Correction is everywhere followed by a praise. But why should a handler use correction as the major way to train his/her loving companion? That would only ruin the relationship between you and your pets. Trainnig can be done more humane rather than focusing on CORRECTION. I hate the photographes in the book in which the author is proud of showing his accomplishment by series of CHOKING CORRECTION, followed by praise. If your pet does what you want simply because he/she wants to avoid the CHOKING, your relationship is ruined. One would resort to CORRECTION only when he knows nothing to improve the situation. In my mind, correction should be the last to do. Too much correction makes your pets timid and afraid of trying. Your pets will end up with a dull attitude toward things around him because the more he tries, the more correction he gets. I'd suggest some other way of trainning. A clicker trainning is another way for a reference. However, clicker has its limitation. The best way to train your dog is to know it, to love it, to think as it does, and to have a strong relationship between you 2. LEAVE THE CHOKING CHAIN TO WWII, PLEASE.
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Summary: Must Read for any Dog Owner...
Review: ...After you get your dog, you MUST have this one...It's allhere, how to care for your new companion,including some valuable tipson that bugaboo of us all, housebreaking. Training gets a lot of space here, as it should, but what makes this book so special, is the authors showing you the dogs perpective on it...how what seems to make perfect sense to you is in fact confusing and contradictory to the dog, and many (most) of us reinforce bad behavior with well-meaning but (from the dogs standpoint)nonsensical actions...The long and short of it is, follow the advice given in this book and your dog will truly be "Mans' (or Womans') Best Friend. END
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Summary: Ask Us Your Questions On Line
Review: If you'd like to contact us directly, post a message on our boards at greatpets.com. Either Brian Kilcommons or I (Sarah Wilson) are on virtually daily along with a staff of caring professionals. We also have three free weekly newsletters - for pet owners, rescue/shelter workers and professional trainers - that you can sign up for at our sight. We look forward to hearing from you -
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Summary: Good Author, Great Book
Review: This book is just what I needed. The information is clear and concise. I learned a lot just browsing through it in the book store, so I bought it. It can be read from cover to cover, or used as a reference book. The approach is straightforward and loving.
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Summary: Its possible to be a great dog owner.
Review: The book gave me new, positive and loving ways to teach my dog how to understand acceptable and inacceptable behavior. I had easy access to solve problems as they arose, and the illustrations were a real help. Brian Kilcommons really knows his dogs..... Our dog is a wonderful family member.
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