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10th out of 24 books
—
4 voters
How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: The Classic Manual for Dog Owners
For nearly a quarter century, How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend has been the standard against which all other dog-training books have been measured. This new, expanded edition, with a fresh new design and new photographs throughout, preserves the best features of the original classic while bringing the book fully up-to-date. The result: the ultimate training manual for a ne...more
Hardcover, 352 pages
Published
September 23rd 2002
by Little, Brown and Company
(first published 1978)
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This is an superb training manual but very rigid and strict. I agree that a dog must know who its owner is and have a degree of fear and respect...but I am softer. I prefer a positive training approach. Reward the positive. Despite this philosophical difference I do think this is an excellent reference and one I would recommend.
I have two well behaved dogs thanks to this book! My nine year old pug used to misbehave; however, using the techniques in this book have seemed to help. I bought this book before we adopted our four year old pug, and have used the monks techniques since she came to live with us. She has never developed any of the problems that our oldest developed. Visitors can enter our home without being attacked and they are well behaved around strangers in public. This is a wonderful resource that helps to...more
This review became lengthier than I anticipated, but if I can dissuade one person from using the techniques prescribed in this book, it will have been worth it.
I would like to preface my review with a comment on my own experience. A few years ago, I taught myself nonviolent training methods studying the works of Paul Owens and Karen Pryor, among others. The books were recommended by the shelter where I planned to adopt a dog.
I started studying long before I even planned to get the dog, and felt...more
I would like to preface my review with a comment on my own experience. A few years ago, I taught myself nonviolent training methods studying the works of Paul Owens and Karen Pryor, among others. The books were recommended by the shelter where I planned to adopt a dog.
I started studying long before I even planned to get the dog, and felt...more
I don't think ANY dog book is the end-all be-all, so no dog-training book would earn 5 stars from me. No doubt, the monks are not going to win over everyone with their methods. Positive reinforcement is the the in vogue way to train a dog right now, and they focus a lot on effective corrections. Prong collars and the shake down will probably make a lot of people weezy. Which is fine. Their methods aren't for everyone.
However, I think they have an amazing approach, which mimics my feelings on dog...more
However, I think they have an amazing approach, which mimics my feelings on dog...more
I highly recommend this for new dog-owners, or anyone who is eager to reconsider mankind's history and relationship with dogs. Thoughtfully written, this book felt like a meditation and a prayer. While full of advice for dog training, I also greatly enjoyed the philosophical non-advice sections as well. I feel this book is great for those who are planning to become dog-owners, and want more than just practical preparation; this book offers an emotional and spiritual foundation too. Yes, I said "...more
I read this book to improve my relationship with my dog. I have a greyhound, so it is a very particular breed, but I found the information in the book to be general enough to apply even to my sensitive dog. I did skip through parts, since a lot of it assumes you have or will have a puppy. Since I am a big believer in adoption, I found this a little off putting. But the focus of the book is great, which is obedience training is directly connected to the kind of relationship you have with your dog...more
This is a great, useful training manual. I like that the Monks emphasize that one should read more than one book on training your dog, so as to get a well-rounded view. Their methods make logical sense to me, and there are a lot of things that I wouldn't have thought of before that they make very clear and sensible, such as never calling your dog to you for punishment. The only thing I disliked about this is how often they promoted their other books and videos; it makes sense to refer to them, e...more
Much more narrative than how-to. While I like the ideas and the sentiments, I'm not so keen on the personalized stories. For practical, "do this" advice, I prefer Brian Kilcommons. I used his Good Owners, Great Dogs to train my last dog (who was universally recognized as a beyond exceptional dog: when my husband and I began dating, we left half a pizza on the coffee table and went out to a movie. It was still there when we got home, absolutely untouched). I'll be consulting his new(er) book, My...more
There is no denying the Monks of New Skete have a passion for dogs but their methods are highly dominate with a strong emphasis on pack mentality. While the techniques and style were interesting, I found them lacking in a family approach. When dogs are more than just "pack members" but also family members there needs to be more accountability for emotion. Their methods were unyeilding with little room for flexibility and some methods did not work for my dogs. Overall, a good introduction to dog...more
How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend by the Monks of New Skete was a book that one of the dog park people recommended to us. Thanks to the wife's aunt, we got a copy of it for Christmas, and dove right in. After getting through a few chapters, my first thought was "This is the book we should have read before getting Nala".
The Monks of New Skete have apparently been breeding German Shepherd Dogs for quite some time now and also run a boarding/training program for other dogs, so they have a good amou...more
The Monks of New Skete have apparently been breeding German Shepherd Dogs for quite some time now and also run a boarding/training program for other dogs, so they have a good amou...more
I've never been so confused from a dog training book in my life. "Hi, we are inspired by St. Francis" but then you discipline dogs by cuffing them under the chin, the "shakedown," and the alpha rollover. I don't believe for a minute that St. Francis would approve.
Here's what I like about the book: their concept of outdoor kenneling and making sure the dog has the right kind of setup, raising/training puppies, the "Round Robin Recall" exercise, and their suggestion of not training your dog to att...more
Here's what I like about the book: their concept of outdoor kenneling and making sure the dog has the right kind of setup, raising/training puppies, the "Round Robin Recall" exercise, and their suggestion of not training your dog to att...more
I appreciated some of the things they said, especially in the beginning. But this book drove home the point that every dog training book must be read with a grain of salt and an open mind. I was honestly a bit horrified with the discipline chapter. Everyone has their own opinion on this, but I feel that those methods are old school and very out dated. We've moved beyond that, surely! I know I have.
All in all, a book with some interesting viewpoints but not to be taken word for word.
All in all, a book with some interesting viewpoints but not to be taken word for word.
I rescued Athena, my 5-year-old-husky, when she was 2 and I was her fourth home. Needless to say she had some issues. This was one of the many books I used in my aresnal of training Athena to enjoy life. I appreciate that they advocate being the pack leader, but still giving lots of love. You'd be amazed at how many books discourage dogs sleeping in the same room or spending lots of time with you. It was a relief to read this book where they actually encouraged it.
I love this book. It is thoughtful, clear, gentle and soulful. The photos are marvelous (many beautiful German Shepherds!) and training techniques are presented in step-by-step photos.
I think many of the principles for training dogs could be used for raising children too -- show leadership and consistency, be aware of yourself, your dog, and your surroundings, involve your dog in your life, and be respectful and kind to living creatures.
Perhaps when we get another dog, we'll get the training vid...more
I think many of the principles for training dogs could be used for raising children too -- show leadership and consistency, be aware of yourself, your dog, and your surroundings, involve your dog in your life, and be respectful and kind to living creatures.
Perhaps when we get another dog, we'll get the training vid...more
It's nice to daydream about being a monk who raises dogs for a living. Can you imagine how well-behaved your dog would be if you spent all day with them, and you were really patient because you're a monk?
The book was fun to read, but I didn't get much practical advice out of it. The monks train using "corrections" more than treats, and I'd be afraid to try their corrections and make my dog even more afraid of things than she already is.
The book was fun to read, but I didn't get much practical advice out of it. The monks train using "corrections" more than treats, and I'd be afraid to try their corrections and make my dog even more afraid of things than she already is.
Boomer appreciates that Matt and I obsessively read dog training books as soon as we got him (perhaps reading them ahead of time would have been better but eh, better than nothing)-especially the New Skete ones. These monks know a lot about dogs, and of the books I looked at their approach made the most sense to me. Of course there is studying up and then there is actually putting something into practice....
Once again, love the Monks of New Skete. Their balanced and knowledgeable approach to dog training far supersedes anything else currently on the market, and their honest and intense love for dogs is unmatched.
This updated version includes more talk about using treats in training, and a short discussion on the current politics of dog training. I appreciated both.
This updated version includes more talk about using treats in training, and a short discussion on the current politics of dog training. I appreciated both.
fantastic: this is exactly what I needed to know to finally reject most of the rubbish of dog ownership, and understand what's going on inside their canine mugs.
I've got the 1973 edition, so I guess the photos have been updated. That would be a shame.
The only information that seems to be lacking is WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT THIS HORRENDOUS BREATH?!!!
I've got the 1973 edition, so I guess the photos have been updated. That would be a shame.
The only information that seems to be lacking is WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT THIS HORRENDOUS BREATH?!!!
These monks really know their stuff!!
We hired a dog trainer. Some of her methods were actually illustrated in this book, but with more detail and more depth.
There was so much I didn't know about having a dog who lives in the home. For instance...sleeping in your bedroom is a loving treat. Sleeping in your bed...not so good.
I'd recommend this book to anyone with a dog!
We hired a dog trainer. Some of her methods were actually illustrated in this book, but with more detail and more depth.
There was so much I didn't know about having a dog who lives in the home. For instance...sleeping in your bedroom is a loving treat. Sleeping in your bed...not so good.
I'd recommend this book to anyone with a dog!
I don't know...I bought this in 1998, when I really wish we had bought a dog---before kids. Now I read with less naivete and find it still philosophically sound but with too little "how to" ---I probably had idealized it over the years. A lot of emphasis on corrections and alpha-presence. Still, love its general respect for dogs as dogs---not "small people".
So I got a puppy, and have been reading anything and everything about raising a dog, and this book is by far the best for a number of reasons. First, it's top-notch writing. Read it even if you don't have a dog. The monks are humble yet humorous, and they are excellent researchers -- this whole book is footnoted. They know dog mythology (such as the story of why St. Christopher was depicted as a dog in early Christian iconology) as well as Native American dog-god stories. But they also researche...more
This book was a good overview of dog training. It went beyond a "how to" and also focused on reasons dogs may be aggressive, chew, or misbehave. There are certain parts of the book I skipped (breeding, country life for dogs), but it was an easy to read, complete introduction to dog training and ownership. I think it is a good, if partial, philosophy on dog training.
Having gotten our first dog, and upon the advice of my brother I got this book written by the gurus of dog training. The book was alright but if you want to quickly get the tricks to having a well behaved dog I would suggest getting their video. The things they teach really work.
This is a most usable, humane and effective dog training book. The monks identify and debunk the many myths of dog training. They understand the dog's view of the world and use it to teach to reader help his dog find his proper place in the home. No dog? No prob. It's a philosophy that works for unruly toddlers just as well.
A must-read for dog owners that want a well-trained dog. However, the monks discourage the use of treats. If you have a labrador, I would ignore this advice. Otherwise, this methodology is fundamental for establishing a solid human/canine bond.
This is a very thoughtful manual on the basics of training, and includes more general meditations on the relationship between people and dogs. It also makes joining an order of monks who raise German Shepherds seem rather appealing.
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 a...more
This book is great information for any person interested in having a better understanding of dogs. The tone is no-nonsense with a dry wit in the mix. The training tips are simple and doable. These Monks are pretty cool guys!
If you have a dog, if you're getting a dog, and if you want some terrific training tips to use on your own, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is a wonderful, thoughtfully written resource.
My own experience has been using this with a 3-year-old Siberian husky who came to me somewhat trained, but I absolutely believe that this has been helpful for us.
In short, it should be on the shelf of EVERY person who is owned by a dog.
My own experience has been using this with a 3-year-old Siberian husky who came to me somewhat trained, but I absolutely believe that this has been helpful for us.
In short, it should be on the shelf of EVERY person who is owned by a dog.
The philosophy of being and acting as the pack leader, the alpha, originated with these dog trainers -- and their methods go against my grain. Fortunately, even they are now advocating more positive methods of training your dog.
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Oct 12, 2012 11:47am