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Rating: 
Summary: A disappointment
Review: I bought a copy of Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies before I adopted my
first ex-racer. What a disappointment. This book had no rhythm or flow and
seemed to be written by a committee, rather than a person. I found the layout
confusing and most of the content so general as to be meaningless. When I got my
dog, I re-read the book, and again, found much of its content too focused on
training (I think the author is a dog trainer by profession) and did not have
enough about health or their life at the track. Luckily I found Adopting the
Racing Greyhound by Cynthia Branigan and it had everything I was looking for.
She runs an adoption agency, and it shows! Her advice and experience were just
what I was looking for. I'm afraid that as far as I'm concerned the "Dummy"
book lives up to its name!
Rating: 
Summary: a satisfying book to add to any greyhound owner's library
Review: I have this book along with "Adopting the Racing Greyhound" by Cynthia Branigan and find having the pair of them complement each other quite well. This book is a very good read when it comes to deciding whether a greyhound is the right companion for you and also gives helpful training and behaviour tips. I felt though that at times it could get a little draggy with the training element but this again can be supplemented with Branigan's book. This still was an extremely helpful guide and reference to look into when I adopted my beautiful greyhound and has proved useful in housebreaking my sensitive boy. I would definitely recommend it to any new or prospective greyhound owner!
Rating: 
Summary: formulaic guide to adopting a dog
Review: I'm an owner of 2 retired racers, and this book was recently given to me. All the information in the book seems accurate, but it's a lackluster description of how to adopt a dog. Most greyhound owners are passionate about their dogs, and that isn't reflected here. I do think there's too much information on training. Greyhounds are smart, sensitive, and quick learners, and I found that a minimum of training was required. (I didn't adopt these dogs to have them perform for me - they did quite enough "performing" on the track - I wanted them as companions.) Aside from that, this is a good primer on the breed.
Rating: 
Summary: Race to Buy This One
Review: My wife and I read this book before we adopted our ex-racer. The book greatly helped us in preparing for our new best friend: it describes the Greyhound history, basic characteristics, how to prepare your home (and yourself), proper foods, and much more. Thanks to this book, we saved ourselves many hours (and dollars) in preparing ourselves and our house for our Greyhound. But the book proved even more valuable after we adopted our hound. After a second reading, we understood much better what to do in addressing some minor problems and behaviors. If you are thinking about adopting an ex-racer, first read Chapter 3: Determining Whether Adopting a Retired Racing Greyhound is Right for You. You'll be able to tell after this chapter if the Greyhound fits your lifestyle. If the answer is yes, buy the book immediately. It will become the most valuable source of information about your new best friend you'll have at your disposal. Then enjoy your new pal. You're in for loads of fun. 242 pages
Rating:
Summary: FAR BETTER than other books we've read on the subject
Review: Our adoption agency included Cynthia Branigan's "Adopting the Racing Greyhound" in the adoption package for our first greyhound. Do I wish they would have sold us the Dummies book instead. In one reading, it's easy to see why "Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies" is superior to anything else out there. Here are some of the highlights that were valuable to us: 1. TRAINING
All throughout, there is much ink given to training. This book spends A LOT of time teaching you how to train your greyhound its name, behaviors, tricks, and commands. The training is very easy to understand, and it is oriented toward positive reinforcement and rewards. 2. HEADING PROBLEMS OFF AT THE PASS
There are a lot of potential problems addressed here, ranging from rivalries with other dogs, helping him get over fear, as well as a huge section on possible health issues and what to do about them. 3. FOOD
A big section on different things to look for while reading food labels. 4. HISTORY
It talks about what the dogs went through during their life at the track, so that you better understand where they are coming from when they enter your home. Other books that we have read discuss these same things, but in a more general (and less-helpful) way. Here you find simple, practical advice. If you want just one book on the subject of retired racing greyhounds, this is it!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: Our adoption agency included Cynthia Branigan's "Adopting the Racing Greyhound" in the adoption package for our first greyhound. Do I wish they would have sold us the Dummies book instead. In one reading, it's easy to see why "Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies" is superior to anything else out there. Here are some of the highlights that were valuable to us: 1. TRAINING
All throughout, there is much ink given to training. This book spends A LOT of time teaching you how to train your greyhound its name, behaviors, tricks, and commands. The training is very easy to understand, and it is oriented toward positive reinforcement and rewards. 2. HEADING PROBLEMS OFF AT THE PASS
There are a lot of potential problems addressed here, ranging from rivalries with other dogs, helping him get over fear, as well as a huge section on possible health issues and what to do about them. 3. FOOD
A big section on different things to look for while reading food labels. 4. HISTORY
It talks about what the dogs went through during their life at the track, so that you better understand where they are coming from when they enter your home. Other books that we have read discuss these same things, but in a more general (and less-helpful) way. Here you find simple, practical advice. If you want just one book on the subject of retired racing greyhounds, this is it!
Rating: 
Summary: Get to the point please
Review: The first part of the book has some interesting historical and technical details about Greyhounds. But then it develops an annoying habit of telling you what it is going to tell you and how important it is for you to know, but when it eventually gets around to the actual info, it isn't much. You could say the same thing in one paragraph, not a whole chapter! I could not finish it. I read two others and highly reccomend "Greyhounds: Everything About Purchase, Care, Nutrition, Behavior, and Training"
Rating:
Summary: A Must-Own for Greyhound Adopters
Review: The only thing I really have to say is this: if you're planning on adopting a retired racing greyhound, you really should have this book on hand. It covers just about everything you'd need to know, from helping your dog adjust to home life, to day-to-day care. You WILL have questions that need to be answered, and, outside of those that concern you to the point of contacting the adoption group, this book will answer most of them for you. I have read many books on greyhound adoption (yes, I'm a proud "parent" of one, myself), and I have found that, overall, this is the best. If nothing else, it's very good to have on hand.
Rating:
Summary: A Must-Own for Greyhound Adopters
Review: The only thing I really have to say is this: if you're planning on adopting a retired racing greyhound, you really should have this book on hand. It covers just about everything you'd need to know, from helping your dog adjust to home life, to day-to-day care. You WILL have questions that need to be answered, and, outside of those that concern you to the point of contacting the adoption group, this book will answer most of them for you. I have read many books on greyhound adoption (yes, I'm a proud "parent" of one, myself), and I have found that, overall, this is the best. If nothing else, it's very good to have on hand.
Rating:
Summary: *!*!*!*!Great Information-!*!*!*!*!
Review: This book embodies what is so great about the "Dummies" books. It's easy to read, funny without being stupid, informative, and interesting. And it has lots of cute Greyhound pictures, too! I recommend this to anyone who is even considering adopting one of these fine dogs. Check it out at your library. If you end up with a Grey, buy this book. It's worth it.
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