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Rating: 
Summary: For Beginners...
Review: A friend of mine gave me a copy Dogspeak after my son was born. We were afraid that our King Doberman (100 lbs+)would be jealous of the newborn. With the two authors insightful obsevations of dog behavior, my wife and I were able to have less trepidations about the two of them. After all, our dog WAS the firstborn, then came along this little runt who garnered all of our attention. With a few simple techniques, we were able to re-incorporate our dog into the family life. The two of them are now the best of friends. Thank you Bash Dibra and Mary Ann Crenshaw!!
Rating:
Summary: Revolutionary?!?!
Review: Despite the author's statement, there is nothing revolutionary about this book. In fact, many suggestions in it are falling by the wayside (paper training, "corrective jerk") as we learn more positive, fun ways to work with our dogs. Although it contains great suggestions for selecting a dog, other books have better all-around advice; for example, "A Simple Guide to Puppies." For true enlightenment on dog communication, read Patricia McConnell's delightful "The Other End of the Leash." Leave this one, with its aggressive approach to training, on the shelf.
Rating:
Summary: Revolutionary?!?!
Review: Despite the author's statement, there is nothing revolutionary about this book. In fact, many suggestions in it are falling by the wayside (paper training, "corrective jerk") as we learn more positive, fun ways to work with our dogs. Although it contains great suggestions for selecting a dog, other books have better all-around advice; for example, "A Simple Guide to Puppies." For true enlightenment on dog communication, read Patricia McConnell's delightful "The Other End of the Leash." Leave this one, with its aggressive approach to training, on the shelf.
Rating: 
Summary: Never rely on an author's "credentials"!
Review: I had heard of this book, and being on a neverending quest for better canine health, wellbeing, and communication (as evidenced by my other reviews!) I decided to add it to my "stack" of read-and-rates.There is nothing new, novel, or remotely remarkable about this book. But less than average writing, poor illustrations, and out-of-date techniques are among some of its numerous flaws. I approached this book initially because it was listed under "Dogs -- Behavior" AND "Dogs -- Training." But really if anything, it falls under choosing and caring for a new puppy! There are 10 chapters in this book. The first is more of an "extended intro," second is Dibra's 8 Fundamental Pack Behaviors (nothing any reading/thinking person wouldn't know *yawn*), and chapters 3-6 are all about choosing and caring for a new puppy! WHOA! Wasn't this listed under "Dogs -- Behavior"? Just wait, it gets better! Chapter 7 finally gets to the "behavior" portion I crave. But I was severly dissappointed. The illustrations are terrible, if not incomplete, and the description of basic doggy body language is less-than-adequate. He doesn't even BEGIN to go into the complexities of certain types of dogs, or "dialects" as we like to call them! But all in all, if you have never read any texts on behavior, it may possibly be a wee bit helpful to you. Unforgivable Sins in this book:
· Dibra's puppy-buying guide relies HEAVILY on AKC as a "starting point," saying you can use them for breed research, breeder referral, and a reference point. Not so. AKC offers generalities like breed standards (useless when matching a dog to your lifestyle!) and a list of breeders who may or may not produce quality dogs. This generally wouldn't bother me so much, but he KEEPS referring to it! · Dibra recommends that at 6 months a dog be fitted with a "control collar"... which is a lame way of saying "choke chain." He says in chapter 8 (pg 143) "It goes without saying that training can't begin without the proper equipment: training control collar and leash ... Otherwise you have no control of your dog." Oh really? hmmm... I've never used a correction collar and I compete in agility, which takes a high degree of focus and control. · I was disgusted by his use of the choke collar in general, such as when teaching heal, continually pop the collar at intervals to remind your dog to stay with you. What, is it a reward now? He also mentions that it is not punishment, it is correction, and that punishment makes a dog "shut down." I'm here to tell you, I have a dog that "shuts down" when you tug on his nylon martingale accidentally! I know several others who shut down when you correct them verbally! How do you deal with that? · He is against any other training device and doesn't even cover them except to say they "backfire." Please be open minded! Even I teach methods for equipment I don't agree with! · A minor fault: he refers to the veterinarian as the ultimate reference for doggy health. I'm here to tell ya (as a vet tech student and natural raiser) vets don't know everything! And above all else, who knows your animal better than YOU! I was severely disappointed with this book to the point that I wrote down the things as I found them (hence the quote). There are way more "red flag" quotes in the book. I can't believe this man teaches celebrities how to handle their dogs for $300 an hour. I know I will do without his help... Want a better book which is REALLY about behavior?
...read Stanley Coren's "How to Speak Dog" Want a better book which is REALLY about communication?
...read Suzanne Clothier's "Bones would Rain from the Sky"
Rating: 
Summary: "Dog Speak" Speaks to Me
Review: I have just finished reading "Dog Speak" by Bash Dibra and found it extremely helpful. As an animal artist who prefers to paint from life, I frequently need to advise my clients on basic obedience for their pets. Mr. Dibra has written his book for pet owners and not professional trainers so it is easy to read. I have painted dogs of every breed and description and when owners used the techniques I recommended from this book I noticed a considerable change in the pet's behavior on subsequent sittings. There are no frills or controversial new training methods here, just solid, proven advice. It is a must for every first time dog owner or anyone who just wants to review the basics.
Rating:
Summary: "Dog Speak" Speaks to Me
Review: I have just finished reading "Dog Speak" by Bash Dibra and found it extremely helpful. As an animal artist who prefers to paint from life, I frequently need to advise my clients on basic obedience for their pets. Mr. Dibra has written his book for pet owners and not professional trainers so it is easy to read. I have painted dogs of every breed and description and when owners used the techniques I recommended from this book I noticed a considerable change in the pet's behavior on subsequent sittings. There are no frills or controversial new training methods here, just solid, proven advice. It is a must for every first time dog owner or anyone who just wants to review the basics.
Rating:
Summary: Revolutionary? Not!
Review: I was very surprised after reading this book. I thought it was going to be great to learn the language of dogs. There was very little to learn in this book if you know any thing about dogs at all, and I'm NOT a professional. Just a guy with a couple of dogs. What this book says is both not new and mostly obvious (bared fangs is aggressive. Oooh, how revolutionary!). Same with the training methods. I wonder if he is a good trainer in person. Maybe so, but if so he didn't put it into words very well in his book. Anyway, after reading this book I don't know any more about my dog than I did before. BUT MY BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH THIS BOOK WAS THIS: he talks about the horror of all the millions of dogs that are killed every year due to over population and then encourages buying your dog from a breeder! Pet stores and breeders are part of the problem. If you absolutely need a particular pure breed you can try to get one from a rescue organization and failing that get one from a breeder. But MOST people just want a family dog and a dog from the animal shelter are just as good or better than one from a breeder. IF YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION INSTEAD OF THE PROBLEM, THERE ARE TWO THINGS YOU CAN DO THAT WOULD HELP TREMENDOUSLY: 1. GET A DOG FROM A SHELTER AND SAVE A LIFE. DON'T GET ONE FROM A BREEDER OR PET STORE! 2. SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR DOGS!
Rating:
Summary: informative, though not without flaws
Review: Not having read other dog training books, I found this a fairly decent guide that covers most of the basics; some have faulted it for not being as in-depth as other books and for advocating a training style that is too aggressive. I found that some of his training advice differs markedly from dog expert Stephen Budiansky (THE TRUTH ABOUT DOGS). Also, he doesn't mention things like the importance of dog tags, car restraints, tattoos, and chips, or such issues as multiple pets living together, and various problems that arise when the type of dog is incompatible with the owneer's lifestyle. Useful, but there might be better books around.
Rating:
Summary: Dogspeak tells it like it is!
Review: This is a fascinating and useful guide to dog thinking and behavior. I think the book's a wonderful, practical resource for either first-timers or long-time dog owners and dog trainers. It's also much better written than most books on the subject. It's easy to read, but highly informative, eye-opening, and filled with good advice. By the way, the book doesn't discourage pet-owners from getting dogs from animal shelters. On the contrary, there's an entire chapter devoted to how to find the right dog for you in shelters! Overall: Dogspeak talks the talk and walks the walk -- highly recommended.
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