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 enlarge | Author: The Monks Of New Skete
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Category: Book
List Price: $25.99
Buy Used: $6.50
You Save: $19.49 (75%)
New (23) Used (33) Collectible (1) from $6.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  152 reviews
Sales Rank: 5876
Media: Hardcover
Edition: Rev Upd
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.3
ISBN: 0316610003
Dewey Decimal Number: 636.70887
EAN: 9780316610001
ASIN: 0316610003
Publication Date: September 2002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Standard used condition ie... could have dj tear, bump, or corner crease.This is a new book that received the above wear during its delivery. Has remainder mark.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Read the NEW EDITION before you criticize July 12, 2006
17 out of 19 found this review helpful
I am astounded at the number of negative reviews of this book that blithely ignore what's actually in it. As others have stated, the recommendations to hit a dog come with plenty of warnings and caveats that it only be done in extreme situations and only if you're comfortable doing it and only if that's how you chose to deal with some specific, serious problem your dog may have. They never, ever recommend hitting a dog for say, simply refusing to come, the way some of these reviews make it seem.
Also, many people keep harping on the Alpha Dog Roll. Here's what the 2002 edition states, verbatim: "(in italics) We no longer recommend this technique and strongly discourage its use to our clients. Though it can be argued that it has a natural basis in pack life, in a dog-human context it is potentially very dangerous and can set up the owner for a serious bite on the face (or worse), particularly with a dominant dog. The conditions in which it might be used effectively are simply too risky and demanding for the average dog owner; there are other ways of dealing with problem behavior that are much safer and, in the long run, just as effective.
Let us repeat: the disciplinary techniques explained in this section should not be applied haphazardly and for a slight misbehavior. There is always the chance that autocratic dog ownders, having learned discipline techniques, will misuse them. Watch yourself - owners whe are physically or verbally domineering wind up with cringing, neurotic dogs. Discipline, like praise, must be meaningful. It must communicate the owner's displeasure clearly, and on the dog's level of understanding and perception, for unacceptable behavior."
 Good resource for the new dog owner June 22, 2006
22 out of 22 found this review helpful
"How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend" is an excellent reference book for the first time dog owner and trainer. As well as the normal chapters on how to choose, socialise, feed, groom and train a puppy, the Monks cover topics as varied as how to read a puppy's pedigree, how to massage your dog, and how your dog's living environment will impact upon his training needs.
Unlike many training manuals, the Monks of New Skete strike a nice balance between "dominance" based training methods and formal training. The Monks stress the importance of earning your dog's trust and respect and the importance of being a strong pack leader for your dog; they also recognise the need for formal training, and spend several chapters explaining how this is best accomplished. Most training books are heavily biased towards one or other method, so it is nice to read a book which realises that both are ingredients in successful dog training.
The training methods discussed are fairly traditional, with the Monks either luring or gently moulding the dog into shape, then praising. However they also advocate classically conditioning a positive reinforcer (keys jingling), which can then be used at strategic times to help a dog relax; and they do discuss and recommend clicker methods for "sensitive" dogs.
Contrary to some reviews posted below, the Monks of New Skete do in fact advocate using plenty of positive reinforcement in their training. Confusion on this issue probably stems from the fact that the Monks do not advocate constantly using food treats while training. However, food treats are not the only positive reinforcement method available to a trainer. As the Monks point out "Food treats are an extremely effective motivator to help dogs learn...however, they are not meant to replace sincere verbal and physical praise." The Monks advocate that puppies are regularly praised, petted and played with during training. Punishment only ever comes after a dog has been shown an exercise multiple times and fully understands what is required of it, and far from being harsh or abusive, is normally limited to stern eye contact or a verbal growl. Scruff shakes and chin cuffs are reserved for the worst transgressions. The Monks take care to emphasise that any punishment used should be immediate, fair and consistent.
There are certainly gaps in this book. The "Problem Solving" section is rudimentary at best (for example, the section on interdog aggression only recommends limiting the dog's opportunity to mark territory, desexing him and muzzling him!). Readers with a problem dog would be well advised to get some more indepth resources regarding their dog's particular problem. The obedience exercises covered are quite limited, covering only the sit, down, stay, heel and recall. Owners wishing to teach their dogs more advanced exercises will need to seek additional resources. It is also disappointing that the Monks only discuss one method of teaching each exercise. With the plethora of options available today to teach even something as simple as a sit - for example, shaping, luring, capturing - it is a pity the Monks did not discuss several options for training each behaviour.
Despite such flaws, "How to be your Dog's Best Friend" is one of the three training books I generally recommend to new dog owners (the other two are "The Other End of the Leash" by Patricia McConnell and "The Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson). These three books complement each other very well. "The Other End of the Leash" is a great primer on canine-human communication, whereas "The Culture Clash" is an excellent manual on operant conditioning-based positive training. "How to Be your Dog's Best Friend" both fills in important gaps left by the other two books, and puts the case for kind and fair "traditional" style training.
 Animals deserve only love and tenderness May 26, 2006
5 out of 47 found this review helpful
Animals should NEVER receive negative punishment (physical or mental). Why should you, when the positive reinforcemt methods have poved to work so well and makes your animal obey you out of respect and not out of fear as the negative reinforcement does? The use of negative reinforcemt stems from a lack of true understanding of canine psychology (as it is utterly unnecessary) and a need to be sadistic. As a veterinarian and animal lover, I strongly advise against this book.
How to beat your dog??? May 23, 2006
5 out of 42 found this review helpful
This book is a disgrace! Our dogs are a part of our family. This book suggests beating your dog and instilling fear into him or her. Pass on this one if you can.
The best way to train your dog is through positive reinforcement. I have a labrador who was very diffcult as a young puppy. We called her "Rosemary's Baby" However, after a few weeks at a local dog obiedience school she is now a changed pup. And it only took a few weeks to see a drastic change. Now she is our angel.
If you are looking for advice on how to train your dog, then find a local dog obeidence school. Two things will happen that you can not get from a book. One your dog will become socialized with other people and dogs and two you will learn from professionals and others in your class who are going through the same thing you are.
As for the monks, "Do onto others as you would want done on to you" If you ever write a book about beating each other into submission, please e-mail me. That one I will buy!
medieval dog training May 3, 2006
17 out of 33 found this review helpful
Years ago, the trainer of my 3-months old coonhound recommended staying away from this book, describing it as "the best way to get your dog to be afraid of you and mess up your relationship forever!". But I wanted to read it, to know what it was all about... I cannot tell you how many times I was fuming realizing how ignorantly these Monks approach dogs' psychology and the physical and psychological violence they use. The temptation of throwing that piece of junk out the window was strong, but I read it through to make sure I could talk about it as bad as I can with the knowledge of its contents.
I am saddened to find out that they are still out there... This is the training philosophy for frustrated humans that need to dominate to compensate their own insecurities.
Meanwhile I am a trainer myself and I support a more constructive approach to dog training based on positive reinforcement. If you know nothing about dogs' psychology, and want to learn more from "The Voice" in dog behavior I suggest "The Other End of the Leash" by Patricia McConnell or "Culture Clash"
by Jean Donaldson or "The Power of Positive Dog Training" by Pat Miller.
If you would like to become a benevolent leader of the pack without imposing yourself to your dog with violence or fear, I suggest "How to be the Leader of the Pack...And have Your Dog Love You for It" ("How to" booklets from Dog's Best Friend) by Patricia B. McConnell.
All these books are written by professionals that have been working with dogs and studying dogs' behaviors, but they are very entertaining and easy to read and comprehend. Patricia McConnell also wrote a number of other books addressing specific behavioral issues.
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