Rating: 
Summary: Well done attempt to explain training process
Review: Here in the Los Angeles area of California, about 20 twenty trainers get together once a month to discuss training, help one another solve problems and to discuss a book read during the previous month.One trainer, who specializes in classes and behavior problem solving in large and other independent breeds, such as Mastiffs, said it is the best of the big dog books; easy to read, and has found that her clients do read it and that it speaks to the owners of these dogs. The particular challenge of dog training books is to describe a physical skill, like dancing, with the added difficulty of a non-human partner. In addition, authors often try to get some basic learning theory across to explain why or how a particular exercise is done and to give some idea of the training from the dog's point of view. The book successfully meets this challenge for the most part. The writing is clear, and the layout is easy to follow; with "Novice Notes" through out which give personal diary-like observations of the training process. The pictures are good, some of the best I have seen, when showing owners where to place their hands to get the dog into position and, importantly, the effect on the dog when the hands are misplaced. Footwork is succinctly shown with pictures that show the right and wrong positions and how they influence the dog to position itself. The authors give a variety of approaches, not really coming down in one camp, and they include material not found in other books. Written in 1998, when many trainers were discovering learning theory, working out how to implement the theory in classes and how to present it to dog owners, the authors advocate the idea of "jack-pot" rewards for a really well done performance, and urge owners, when training, to adopt an intermittent reinforcement schedule. Now the consensus, at least within this group, is to not use intermittent schedules and that a "jack-pot" reward may make the owner feel good, but it doesn't have much influence on the animal's learning. This book met with approval by the group in general. Many members of the group said they would recommend it to their clients.
Rating: 
Summary: My most treasured dog training book
Review: I am a Swedish girl teaching obedience classes and competiting in obedience. My ever-growing library of American dog training books started with this book. I stumbled across it one happy day searching for a new book to help me further on the way to making my Icelandic sheepdog (a spitz breed) Swedish Obedience Champion. I fell in love with the cover within two seconds and the contence was even better. Since then I have bought many more dog training books, with the help from "customers reviews" here on Amazon.com. I have books from the Monks, Kilcommons, Karen Pryor, Ian Dunbar, Morgan Spector, Terry Ryan, "everyone", but you know what? This is still my favourite! And, of course, it was a great help for us. She has her title now. It may not be exactly what the ordinary dog owner (not too interested in training) is looking for, but it's absolutely perfect for someone like me, wanting to convince my free-thinking, independent dog that training for obedience competition is fun. The book is packed with great information. It convinces you that you must BOTH be your dog's boss (without physical confrontation, of course) AND "give fat pay checks to the reluctant worker". The text is also easy to read and the photos of bulldogs and other unusual obedience breeds performing do contribute. If I could give it 10 stars, I would.
Rating:
Summary: Great techniques...poor writing
Review: I bought this book a couple of weeks ago, and read through Delzio and Fisher's independant dog training techniques. I've gotta say that I was really impressed with the quick results I've gotton so far. I don't classify my Westie puppies as being "independant" or "hard to train" but they definantly do have their own agendas which are different from mine. This book taught me to understand that and use it to my advantage during my training sessions, and my puppies (both of them) learned to sit, stay, and down in less than 2 weeks. They're still not perfect yet, but I can tell it won't be too much work. The only problem I had with this book is the writing style. It was very repetitive and wordy. These two authors are excellent trainers, but definately not writers. I figure there was about 15 to 20 pages of blah blah blah to sift through to get to the real techniques and useful info that's buried beneath. But overall its a must for anyone who wants an obedient dog.
Rating: 
Summary: This book wont make him Lassie either
Review: I bought this book in the hopes that it would help solve a toy/food aggressive guarding behavior in a 30 lb dog of mine. The book instead told me how to recognize aggression. Thanks I got that already. If your dog has a real problem you will need another book.
Rating:
Summary: Worth the money
Review: The book had a lot of extremly useful information in it. You get a really good understanding on not only the bulldog breed but any smart independant breed. There are numerous tips on how to begin training your dog the basics like sitting, down, stay, heeling and walking on a leash. It's got a lot of good advice on how to overcome some of the alpha dominance problems you tend to have with dominant independant breeds. I wished the book would have had more information on puppy training though. A good part of the book had info you could use on any age dog but it didn't deal with the problems owners have with young pups. The books discusses how independant breeds need positive reinforcement to behave properly. The book just didn't address what to do or how to handle the difficult situations that come up with these dogs on a day to day. All in all it was very worth the money and I'm glad I have it.
Rating:
Summary: Great training book!
Review: This book gives you a very good and detailed analysis of "hard to train dogs" and how to train them. It's easy to follow and fun to read. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has a dog with an "attitude". :-)
Rating:
Summary: Great training book!
Review: This book gives you a very good and detailed analysis of "hard to train dogs" and how to train them. It's easy to follow and fun to read. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has a dog with an "attitude". :-)
Rating:
Summary: Best Training book
Review: This book is one word - GREAT! In owning a JRT who is very independent and hard to train, this book has helped me understand him and also helped me with his training. I have many dog training books in my library, but this one is by far the best. I highly recommend that anyone who owns an independent breed, such as a JRT should definately buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: What was I thinking getting a terrier.
Review: This is really a great book. I grew up with dogs that were easily trained and lived to please. I now have a terrier who does not follow that same philosophy.I got lots of insight and real instructions about how to train a dog who does not live to please. I have used many of the training exercises in the book and have found they really work. I recommend this book all the time to people who have free-thinking dogs.
Rating:
Summary: Best, Most Detailed training book I've read
Review: This is the first training book I've owned that really translated into results with my dog. My dog isn't a "difficult" breed (she's a border collie mix), but she is highly energetic and distractable. Most books tell you "do this and your dog will respond this way." My dog rarely did what the book said she would. "So Your Dog's Not Lassie" instead gives detailed troubleshooting, covering a bunch of different dog reactions. With the book's help I've *finally* gotten her to stop pulling on the leash when we walk. She is 9 years old. This is a real accomplishment. I have a much better understanding of the need to get her attention (there's an excellent chapter called "Earth to Dog") and how that is the key to making our training work. This book made me excited about learning and working with my dog again. I recommend it highly.
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