From Publishers Weekly

Clearly an animal lover, Clothier opens this training manual by recalling her childhood, when she pretended she was a dog. Rather than simply trying to “train” animals to behave in a certain way, Clothier focuses on improving the existing relationship between pet and owner. To help readers gain some insights into more effective training, Clothier offers anecdotes about her clients. Particularly important is the dog’s connection to the owner and the ability of the two to communicate effectively: “In each moment that you are with the dog, you must be aware, gently and persistently shifting the balance toward one of mutual agreement and cooperation. This is not easy, and it requires some thought. Most of all, it requires a desire to create-over and over again-the event of quality, which in turn creates a heartfelt commitment to truly being with the dog.” Usually Clothier begins by observing her clients interact with their pets: after one owner complained about her dog being disruptive and overly playful, Clothier concluded that the owner’s way of physically stopping her dog was in fact causing the dog to be more playful. Clothier is a capable writer, and her descriptive style livens up the subject matter.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

For anyone who has ever dreamed of being able to really talk to their dogs–and ‘hear’ what they have to say

BONES WOULD RAIN FROM THE SKY

Akin to Monty Roberts’s The Man Who Listens to Horses and going light-years beyond The Hidden Life of Dogs or any training manual, Suzanne Clothier takes a radical new direction in understanding our life with dogs…and our mutual love. Drawing on a lifetime of experience with dogs, this nationally renowned dog trainer brings us astonishing new lessons about our animals–and ourselves.

Gently, with intelligence, humor, and unfailing patience, Suzanne Clothier guides us to truly comprehend another creature’s mind and heart.

You will discover how our dogs see the world from their uniquely canine perspective, how we can meet their deep need for leadership without using force or coercion, and how the “laws” of canine culture often put our dogs at odds with us and our very human world. Clothier’s unparalleled insights into aggression in dogs can help prevent a tragedy, including the unnecessary destruction of a pet.

In these pages, you will meet unforgettable dogs who will capture, and perhaps break, your heart. There is Badger–handsome, curious, and perhaps dangerous. Can his threatening behavior be changed? Though doomed by a congenital heart murmur, the winsome pup McKinley offers an unforgettable lesson in living. Then aging Vali brings us to the moment that all dog owners must someday face: the loss of a devoted companion. But what this old dog teaches us in her last days may change you forever.

As in no other “dog book” or training manual, in BONES WOULD RAIN FROM THE SKY an extraordinary woman shows us how to find a deep connection with another being and to receive an incomparable gift: a profound, lifelong relationship with the dog you love.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Thirty Years With Fighting Dogs GEORGE C. Armitage. Originally published 1935, USA, this is a reprint of a fascinating historical document about fighting dogs.the original is very rare, expensive and much sought after by dogmen and collectors, both for its rarity and the information contained within.

“Thirty Years With Fighting Dogs” is a look at the sport of dog fighting in the early 20th century through the eyes of George Armitage, an acknowledged master of the game. It contains 55 rare photographs including Galvin’s Pup, John Noonan’s Brandy, Tanner, Shipley’s Pearlie, Saddler’s Bozo, Dugan’s Pat and many more. Many famous battles are related. The contents also include articles on Schooling a Young Dog, Selecting a Dog for Pit Purposes, Armitage’s Rules, Sample Contract, Armitage’s Keep, Feeding and Breeding. A fascinating look at a vanished era.

Product Description

It’s not always the dog that needs a lesson in good manners. As etiquette and pet expert Charlotte Reed shows, well-mannered people and their well-mannered pets are more pleasant to be around, are treated better by everyone, and get invited to more places, including restaurants, parties, and vacation homes. In her complete guide to dog decorum, she discusses acceptable behavior for every occasion in a dog’s life, including:

• Behaving at home and on the street
• Eating in or going out
• Extending pet courtesy to others in places of business
• Being mindful of others while traveling
• Having fun at pet events
• Treating veterinarians, pet sitters, and dog groomers with respect.

With Reed’s tips, you’ll become a model pet owner, a good neighbor, an excellent customer, an exceptional host, and a welcome guest at the homes of friends and family. Both practical and fun, with real-life stories and expert training tips, The Miss Fido Manners Complete Book of Dog Etiquette is the only book you and your dog need.

About the Author
Charlotte Reed abandoned Wall Street corporate law more than a decade ago to open Two Dogs & A Goat, a premiere, full-service pet care firm with offices in New York City and the Hamptons. She has been writing the “Dear Miss Fido Manners” column for Fido Friendly magazine for several years and has been widely quoted in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Tribune, and Better Homes and Gardens as an expert on pet manners. She is also a contributing editor for Dog Fancy, Pet Business, New York Dog, and Hollywood Dog magazines and has appeared on The View and Inside Edition. Ms.

From Library Journal

Noted trainer Dibra here takes the ideas presented in his first book, Dog Training by Bash, one step further. He discusses the social, or pack, nature of dogs and explains eight factors important to pack dynamics: the dominance hierarchy, aggression, territorial behavior, food guarding, flight behavior, chase behavior, socialization, and vocalization. Throughout, Dibra provides examples of how these factors come into play when training the family dog. Yet while teaching us to “speak dog” is ostensibly his purpose for writing, his main focus is actually on general care and training. Sections are included on selecting a dog, preparing to bring the puppy home, housebreaking, learning to read the dog’s body language, and basic training in things such as heel, come, sit, and stay. Some problem behaviors are touched upon. While Dibra’s style is readable and geared toward the average pet owner, DogSpeak presents little new material. His first book is still a better choice for libraries.AEdell Marie Schaefer, Brookfield P.L., WI
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
–This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.


From Booklist

Dibra, a New York^-based dog trainer who has a number of celebrity clients, distills the basics of his training techniques in this breezily written new guide. The heart of the book is chapter seven, wherein the author describes dog behavior and explains the meanings of the facial expressions, body language, and vocalizations of dogs–the “DogSpeak” of the title. Chapter 8 shows the reader how to integrate this newly learned language into a training program for the dog, using the concepts to promote the proper responses in the dog. Understanding the dog’s language and its reactions to the behavior of other dogs (or humans) will help the reader to understand why these specific training methods work. The other sections of the book cover choosing a puppy or dog, housebreaking, and general care. A liberal sprinkling of useful Web sites is a nice touch, and a number of boxed sidebars give further advice on various subjects, completing an extremely readable book that is a good primer on the psychology of dog training. Nancy Bent
–This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Anyone who is trying to housetrain a dog knows that life can become messy in a hurry. Now animal behavioral therapist Krista Cantrell reveals how to make housetraining easy, fun, and rewarding with her step-by-step solutions to training dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds. In Housetrain Your Dog Now, readers will learn:

How to housetrain in just fourteen days
Techniques and tricks that make training easier
How to avoid five common training mistakes
How to retrain the resistant dog
Solutions to common housetraining problems
How to train city, suburban, and country dogs

Complete with photographs and practical, hands-on instructions, Housetrain Your Dog Now promises an “accident-free” dog in just two weeks. This essential guide also offers hope to many frustrated dog owners by showing that housetraining doesn’t have to be a chore but instead can be a bonding process to enhance relationships with their pets.

About the Author

Krista Cantrell, an animal behavioral therapist, is a frequent speaker and clinician who describes her training methods as “dog-friendly.” Over her more than twenty years of experience, she has developed her own dog-training philosophy, emphasizing experiential learning, behavior modification, and her own playSMART techniques. She is the author of Catch Your Dog Doing Something Right, and lives in the high Sonoran Desert of Arizona with her husband, dog, cat, and six horses.

Product Description

Complete and comprehensive, this handbook includes sections on choosing and finding the right dog, finding a vet, dog handling and training, understanding a dog’s diet and exercise needs, and much more. 72 illustrations. 4 line drawings.

About the Author

Marion S. Lane is the author of The Yorkshire Terrier and is on the board of governors of the Dog Writers Association of America.
–This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

The Encyclopedia of Dog Sports and Activities presents a detailed overview of more than 35 sports and activities that are ideal for keeping dogs physically fit and mentally stimulated. Its comprehensive scope ranges from competitive events like agility, field trials, and hunt tests to noncompetitive pursuits like search and rescue and therapy. Each chapter profiles a different sport and includes information on its history, the equipment and skills required to get started, titles available for dogs to pursue based upon their breed and physical traits, competition classes and divisions, judging criteria of sponsoring organizations, and strategies for success. All profiles offer practical tips from experts who are heavily involved in and have achieved success in a given activity. Colorful photographs highlight each sport and activity, while an extensive glossary defines key sporting terms.

The only book on the market to cover such a wide variety of sports and activities in one indispensable and portable volume, The Encyclopedia of Dog Sports and Activities makes an ideal carry-along reference for sporting events to help the viewer understand what is happening. It is also perfect for use as a home reference to get more involved in your canine companion_s daily activities.


About the Author

DIANE MORGAN is an assistant professor at Wilson College, Chambersburg, PA. She has authored numerous books on canine care and nutrition, breed books, and horse books and has received numerous awards, including the Maxwell Medallion for The Living Well Guide for Senior Dogs. Diane lives in Williamsport, Maryland.