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How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: A Training Manual for Dog owners
How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: A Training Manual for Dog owners
How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: A Training Manual for Dog owners
Audiobook (abridged)4 hours

How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: A Training Manual for Dog owners

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

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About this audiobook

In How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend, the monks build upon the basic puppy training covered in their book The Art of Raising a Puppy to tell you everything you need to know to care for your dog, from training to feeding and care.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateApr 15, 2007
ISBN9781598874334
How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: A Training Manual for Dog owners

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Reviews for How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend

Rating: 3.9416666533333333 out of 5 stars
4/5

120 ratings6 reviews

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  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Lots of great info but many of the methods outlined are outdated, debunked, and dangerous.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    The Monks deliver many promising guides to training many different dogs,yet their use of spiked collars takes away alll the beauty.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I give this book four stars because I think its helped me a little. I like the Monks balanced view of training, including both discipline and positive reinforcement. They recommend singing to your dog, so I made my dog a playlist. They also recommend things like eye contact and being as jubilant with your dog as you would with a grandchild. They also recommend not making goodbyes and hellos overly dramatic, it makes the whole ordeal harder on your dog. They are very clear about their views and approach to dogs, but strongly suggest reading three or more training books to form your own techniques. I really enjoy reading the book, and I think my dog is happier because I have improved my own attitude because of the book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This revised edition of the classic dog owner's guide is even better than the original edition, which was itself invaluable. The monks, who first published their guide to dog acquisition, dog ownership, and dog training in 1978, have thoroughly revised and updated their book in the light of 35 years of experience, and who knows how many dogs. This book covers all the basics of dog training, of both varieties: behavioral training (mostly teaching your dog what not to do) and obedience training (teaching your dog to do what you tell it through specific commands). But the discussion of training goes way beyond those specifics. There is a continued emphasis on dog training as the building over time of a relationship between one being (a human) and another (a dog). The way in which the human guides that relationship is critical to the way it evolves, and to the well-being of the dog.I wish that I still had my old edition of "How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend", so I could see exactly what changes the monks have made, but it's long gone in the wear and tear of raising two dogs from puppiehood. One big shift is evident, however -- a shift towards positive reinforcement (treats, praise and so on) from the negative kind (physical checks). They explicitly discuss the positive/negative debate in dog training in a helpful chapter called “Discipline: The Taboo Topic”, and argue strongly for the use of “enlightened discipline”. But they are never punitive, and always focus on discipline as a means of communication, not an expression of emotion.If I could only use one dog training book, this might well be it. Fortunately, I can use more than one, and I find that using two additional books is helpful to me. Still and all, thanks for the monks, and thanks to the monks.If I could only use one dog training book, this might well be it. Fortunately, I can use more than one, and I find that using two additional books is helpful to me. Still and thanks for the monks, and thanks to the monks.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The BEST book for a new dog owner. It covers very important concepts beginning with puppyhood and explains the correct relationship between you and your dog. Following the monks' advice will produce a happy, well-behaved, well-socialized dog.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    If you're looking for a book that helps you understand how your canine companion's brain works, this is it. However, if you're looking for a book that describes specifically how to train your dog beyond the basics (sit, stay, come, down), then this is probably not the book for you. But the Monks do a wonderful job describing how to train the basics - better than most books out there.