Building Blocks for Performance [Paperback]

Bobbie Anderson (Author), Tracy Libby (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1577790375 | ISBN-13: 978-1577790372 | Publication Date: April 1, 2002

Want to win in your chosen performance event? Looking forward to raising a new puppy that you hope can do just that? Read this book before your puppy comes home.

* Motivate your puppy to enjoy training

* Build drive through goal oriented games

* Tailor your interaction with your puppy to his future performance event.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Bobbie unveils ten essential building blocks that will turn a puppy into a highly motivated, enthusiastic, confident performance dog." -- (Sheltie International, Dec 2003- Jan 2004)

"If you think that competitive dog training is all about rote drills and coercion, this book will change your mind." -- (Deborah Wood, B.C. Newsletter/ Great Reads)

"The principles discussed can benefit everyone who wants to do things better with their next puppy" -- (The Cassette/Summer, 2002)

"The professionalism sparkles out of every page. I give the book five tail wags." -- (Wayne Koutsky, Borderlines)

"These are not hollow, quick-fix measures, but solid, enduring methods designed to work across the board." --(Clean Run, August 2003)

From the Publisher

Building Block for Performance won the 2003 Radio Systems award for "Best Dog Training Book"

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 133 pages
• Publisher: Alpine Pubns (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577790375
• ISBN-13: 978-1577790372
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #994,522 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have Book for Performance Dogs, November 22, 2003

By 

Donna (Austin, TX, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Building Blocks for Performance (Paperback)

The content of this book was great. The author gives a lot of examples of games you can play with your puppy to make training fun. I found several training errors I have been making with my own dogs in this book and, once I saw it in print, could see how that might affect motivation.

Contrary to what another reviewer previously mentioned, this book is NOT full of harsh corrections. In fact, there is not one instance where the author advocates harsh corrections or hard-handed training methods. When she does discuss corrections, it is with a very fair, gentle approach that seeks to get the dog immediately back to a position of earning praise while not letting a situation get to the point where the dog feels like commands are optional. This ENTIRE book is about FUN with your dog and learning how to make training, learning, and being with you something your dog can't wait to do. It is one of the most positive training books I have ever read.

She has great information about the use of food and toys and tells you how to use them appropriately while still making time with you be your dogs ultimate reward. She also talks about how to structure your puppy's life to make the most of your time together.

The author uses many real examples from working with her own dog or from her students. She also has a very nice chapter or two at the end about how to set goals to help yourself be successful with your dog. There are a lot of pictures and boxes highlighting the main ideas or offering in quick bites some additional ideas of how to utilize the information.

The ONLY complaint I have with this book is in its organization. She mentions having your puppy do a sit or a down all throughout the book but doesn't talk about teaching the sit or down until the 3rd to last chapter. She also gives TONS of examples of how to train your dog through play throughout the book but it can leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed feeling like you should train your dog 5 hours a day! It isn't until one of the very last chapters that she gives some ideas of how much set aside training time should be done each day and also talks about incorporating 30 seconds here or there as you are doing something else with the puppy anyway.

I would definitely consider this book a must-have. I plan to try to read it at least one more time before my next performance puppy arrives.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Devour this book!, November 5, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Building Blocks for Performance (Paperback)

This is a fabulous guide for starting a puppy to be any kind of competition dog. It shows you how to train your puppy, through day-to-day interaction, for a playful, confident attitude (you can teach precision later). The authors explain how to gradually move your puppy away from treats training and how to use praise effectively. The book describes how to get your puppy's attention and focus, primarily with games, so your puppy will LOVE to train and work with you. Sidebars describe how to work with some special dog personality types. Read this book before you bring your next puppy home!

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A first-rate guide for dog handlers of all experience levels, July 8, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building Blocks for Performance (Paperback)

Illustrated with black-and-white photographs, Building Blocks For Performance: Give Your Puppy A Head Start For Competition is a superb guide for training performance dogs from puppyhood. The proven techniques of experienced dog trainer and handler Bobbie Anderson, especially applied to puppies from eight weeks to five months in age, make for a direct, simple, step-by-step guide to raising an obedient, show-quality dog. From the cardinal rule of considering "every moment spent with your puppy as a training session" to making training fun, applying praise, and the importance of understanding a puppy's natural characteristics and personality, Building Blocks For Performance is a first-rate guide for dog handlers of all experience levels.