Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 37
 Outdate Material May 12, 2007
S. C. Pham
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Like any dog training book, you may come across a helpful tip here and there in this one. However, I found the training methods to be outdated. What this book does do well is to discuss very specific developmental stages, from birth onward, and explain why seven weeks is the best age to bring the puppy home. The last section on physical care was also somewhat helpful. As for the rest of it, I don't think I'll be employing any of the training methods discussed. In the parts of the book that discuss teaching manners, the author calls for "spanking," or giving your dog "a good cuff on the nose." The author says spanking with a newspaper is cruel, as it teaches the dog to fear loud noises, yet he suggests tin cans strung together to throw near the dog if he's stealing food, or barking at night, etc. So, at times, the author was contradicting himself. And I especially think that having a stranger "spank" your dog to teach him not to get into strange cars is probably dangerous, both for the stranger, and for the dog owner, liability wise. I would think a dog would not be too keen on strangers after having been man handled by one.
 Not The Most Helpful Book for New Pup January 25, 2007
CJ Newman (Saline, MI)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I was disappointed in this book for training my new pup. Far preferred the trainer Brian Kilcommons and his book Good Owners, Great Dogs. I need all the nitty-gritty, not a broad brush. I felt the Wolters book was the latter and I didn't get as much out of it. Also, even my husband who has no trouble setting limits, felt that some methods (such as knocking the dog down the stairs if it tried to pass you) were unnecessarily harsh. We want a well-behaved dog, not one with a broken back. We also felt setting the dog up for an improbable dog-napping and having a stranger start hitting the dog for getting in the open door was way out there.
 Yes! Yes! IF you love them you WILL discipline them! November 13, 2006
Love4Boys
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
I L-O-V-E this book! Our new dog, Gus (a redbone hound/ Rhodesian ridgeback mix) is a COMPLETE JOY and has been well trained since he was JUST SEVERAL WEEKS OLD because of Richard Wolters' advice! The neighbors call me "The Dog Whisperer!" As far as the review that said never spank a dog or child? PUL-EASE! Instead of self promoting, the confused (but well meaning) gentleman should read Bringing Up Boys by, Dr.James Dobson. I personally am STILL in the process of raising FOUR sons... one blissfully married, one at the University of Virginia, one at the United States Naval Academy and one a gifted junior in High School. They have ALL at one time or another THANKED us for disciplining them and loving them with parameters! If you want a GREAT dog get THIS book. A GREAT child- PRAY and have the guts to guide them!
Family Dog November 5, 2006
L. Warden (Spanaway, WA USA)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Great book. Not the first book we have used. Hunting Dog was also wonderful. The only part we did not agree with was the paper training. We just used lots of praise and a firm loud no, accompanied by a run outside. Worked wonders and you dont have to worry about paper laying on the floor becoming wet. Highly recommend this author.
My Review August 4, 2006
Suziey Buxum (Chesapeake Beach, MD)
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
As soon as I read this book, I just fell in love it! I've had plans for the past (well, actually since I was 2, but no official plans) year to get a dog, but I've been trying to find a traning book that I actualy agree with. Almost every other one I've ever read (or I should say STARTED to read) I've put down in frustration because I just didn't agree with what they did.
But I agree with virtually everything Mr. Wolters reccomends, and the fact that his 6 year old daughter does most of the traning, as you see throughout the book, shows the simplicity of the methods.
But the one thins that people might disagree with is the spaking. I know that is a very controversial issue. Just as you wouldn't "spank" a toddler if it didn't know it was doing anything wrong, you should never spank a dog if it hasn't been told to stop before. And it states that in the book! I don't see what some Doctor had put up such a fuss about it.
But I give the book five stars because it is very good and aslo just very entertaining to read.
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