Customer Reviews

Good Owners, Great Dogs

5 star:		(143)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

This book is an awesome training book for owners of puppies and adult dogs alike. Brian writes in a conversational style, he provides plenty of examples and personal narratives, and his many black and white photographs are excellent for driving his verbal point across (after all, isn't it much easier if you see how you are supposed to put a dog into a down or sit position than reading about it in a lengthy paragraph only?) The book covers how to train dogs to sit, stay, down, heel and have door manners, what games to play with your dog (and which to avoid), how to use positive and negative reinforcement, how to make it safe for you to approach the food bowl, how to use a training collar correctly, and many other useful daily commands/activities. We like this book also, because it does not only address training, but also basic dog care (from puppy to adulthood to old age), dog development, and he addresses common problems that each dog owner faces when teaching each command or facing daily life with a dog. We read THE ART OF RAISING A PUPPY, HOW TO RAISE A PUPPY YOU CAN LIVE WITH, and PUPPIES FOR DUMMIES, but NONE of the books live up to GOOD OWNERS, GREAT DOGS. Brian knows what he is talking about and he opens your eyes to things that you do that give your dog the wrong message (dog barks, you look - Bam! YOu just taught your dog how to get your attention; dog stops and peeps down the street during a walk, you stop, BAM! You just taught your dog how to get you to stop and give up your leadership). Simple, when you think about it, but many times you don't, and so Brian really gets you thinking about all these little things your dog does and how to interpret them. We got an 8 week old Mini Schnauzer, never had a dog before. By 9 weeks, he knew how to sit, by 12 weeks he knew how to down, stay, place, and wait properly at the door, by 14 weeks he knew how to stand still on a groom table to be examined and combed/clipped. Granted, Mini Schnauzers are smart dogs, but we truly believe that our dog is so great in part because of Brian's wonderful expertise. We wouldn't want to be without this book and still use it on a regular basis for refreshers and quick advice. If you want to get your money's worth, buy this book. It will make your life and your dog's life a lot easier, and it will facilitate the communication that you both will be having with each other. Brian is like a translater, all you have to do is to learn the translation so you can be a good owner with a great dog.

I truly believe that it's a sin to get a dog and not give it any obedience training. Dogs are of a pack nature and someone must always be the leader of the pack. If you aren't designated, they will designate themselves.Dogs need to know who's in charge. They're happier that way when they know their boundaries and what they can and cannot do. They become true friends, yet with you being the friend in charge. This book is very informative. Brian Kilcommons was taught by Barbara Woodhouse. One of the greatest dog trainers of all times. He shows you how to teach you dog obediance in a very firm, yet sensible, humane,(no hitting)way, yet not a"namby's pansy" and ineffective way, that I've seen with some other dog training programs. We brought home a big untrained dog from the SPCA who, while we were away for the day, literally ripped our home to pieces. He wouldn't do one thing we told him and I thought we had made a big mistake with this HUGE dog and would never be able to control him.I wanted to bring him back. My daughter suggested this book. Within ONE WEEK this dog was doing almost everything we told him to and he was happy doing it! He never touches ANYTHING of ours now. He waits politely at the door when he wants to go out. He used to knock me over trying to be the first one to reach the door. He won't cross the threshold of the open door unless you say it's okay. (Comes in handy if the police ever show up at your door), because they will shoot any dog that runs at them. In play or in aggressiveness. He used to run all over the house to avoid a bath, tearing it up in the process. Now, when I say 'It's bathtime he walks down the hall, into the bathroom and climbs into the tub, all by himself! He used to snatch his dog toys out of our hand biting us accidently in the process. Now, he waits nicely and sits and when you do hand him the ball, he takes it ever so carefully by the side of his teeth so he won't accidently bite us. The list goes on and on. Some people teach their dogs the nasty habits and aggressivenenss and maybe don't realize that THEY are the ones responsible for the dog bad behavior. Brian Kilcommons explans this and shows you how to correct it. Even older dogs have broken bad habits with his program. You can see he truly loves dogs. They are his life and his book and video is a joy to have. My niece has a great Dane who is a horror. She's even been to obediance school. but, they don't enforce any of the training at home. The dog is the boss of the house and knows it. She does what she wants and she's NOT a joy for their family to be around and they admit it. We wouldn't trade our dog now for a million bucks. I have recommended this book to them. I also have the video with the same title. With both book and video them in hand and the firm resolve to stick with it, there is no reason why anyone should have a dog that is a "holy terror". Windyrr2@aol.com

Brian Kilcommons has written a how-to masterpiece on commonsense dog training! He does Barbara Woodhouse proud by carrying on her no-nonsense approach to living and working with animals. My copy of his book is so well used that I can nearly quote entire passages! I have loaned it out to several family members, and will probably have to buy a new copy, because my brother doesn't want to give it up! The only time that this book isn't effective, is when the reader refuses to follow the simple instructions given. I am sold on his methods, and wish that I had stumbled upon this understanding of dog behavior 15 years ago. It would have enabled us to keep 2 or 3 "impossible" pets! This is a MUST READ for anyone who considers themself a dog lover, but has had trouble training a dog. We couldn't live with our dogs without it!

As a long time dog owner, who believes strongly in basic manners training for all dogs, I was pleasantly surprised by the common sense and practical approach to dog training that was taken by this author. This book is truly a tutorial. With all phases of the experience covered, from buying that cute little puppy to working with older dogs that require correction, Brian Kilcommons displays an easy knowledge of his subject matter and an ability to communicate his methods to the dog owners. I particularly liked his "train the owner, then train the dog" approach. This book provides the "why" in why certain methods work, not just the "what to do." It contributes to an understanding of what makes your pet tick, and how to understand and communicate with your pet. An educated owner is a happy owner. A happy owner with an educated pet is even better. An excellent and helpful text.

One night about ten years ago, as I was leaving the dog run in my New York neighborhood, I spoke briefly to a couple with an exuberant, happy young boxer puppy. Being a dog trainer, I asked how her training was going.

"Oh, well," the wife said, "we bought this book called GOOD OWNERS, GREAT DOGS, and we tried some of the techniques in it, but Bailey didn't like them. Particularly when we tried to train her to lie down on command. She'd just run away. We found that if we just use her favorite toy, she has a tendency to obey quicker and she actually likes learning."

That's what I'd discovered; that the old way of doing things--always forcing the dog into position, etc.--was actually detrimental to the learning process. And that playing games with the dog was always a better choice. I'd also learned that Brian Kilcommons' mantra that training should be "fun, fair, and firm" was actually a little light on the "fun" component and way too heavy on the "firm" part.

The sad thing is, I've seen Kilcommons on TV in the last five years or so, and his approach to training has completely changed, or at least it seems to have done. He now advises more of a playful approach, and less of a forceful way of teaching commands. (Since I publish a series of newsletters in New York City, where Kilcommons used to work and reside, I've gotten the perhaps ridiculous notion that my ideas have been influential in this change.)

Still, this book has some good information. It'll just be up to you, as a conscientious and loving dog owner, to determine which exercises seem too harsh, and which you think will make your dog more amenable to learning. It can be pretty easy to tell the difference too, even if you're a novice. Just look at the body language of the dogs on one side of a page (scared, frightened, angry) as opposed to the dogs on the opposite side (usually happy and compliant).

I think Kilcommons should write a new training manual, get rid of all the "firm" stuff, and concentrate more on the playful aspect of training. Three stars.

If ever there was a book for dog training that should be on the shelf of every home it's this one!

As a professional dog trainer that specializes in the "family dog" I recommend this book to ALL my clients for the following reasons: It's well written. It's practical advice with a dash of humor, as you can't raise a puppy without a sense of humor! Don't have a sense of humor? You'll get one quick when you get a puppy and get this book! Of course my slant on this book is as a professional. But I will say that the feed back from my clients who are novice dog handlers is 100% positive!

I highly recommend this book not only for yourself if you need training advice, but give it as a gift to a friend who is "expecting" or to your neighbor with the jumping lab!

Kilcommons' book is terrific and funny too. Anything our dog does wrong can be traced directly to instances in which we didn't do what the book says ... and everything she does right (which is 98%, bless her heart) is because I trained her with the book. One invaluable command (see book for details): "Enough!" There are excellent sections on biting, and very important advice on the food bowl (take it away without warning periodically while she's a pup, or risk biting / snarling problems when she's grown). Excellent advice on jumping up -- never allow it, even though it's cute when she's a puppy, it's a disaster when she's grown. (Kilcommons is funny here: "dogs don't have fashion sense"). Great advice on names -- every dog needs two. The best overarching philosophical points I got from the book: 1) Never give a command more than once. Enforce it if she fails to follow the command. 2) Never give a command you aren't prepared or are unable to enforce. 3) Remember that you, the owner, is the alpha dog. She will "try out" for alpha dog from time to time. These tryouts must be squashed. Kilcommons tells you how to squash alpha dog behavior.

I'm a Veterinary Technician, thus get many questions about puppy training and see a number of behavioral "problems waiting to happen". Brian's book and The Art of Raising a Puppy by The Monks of New Skete are the top two books I recommend owners to read. Both books are quick reads -- filled with easy-to-apply positive reinforcement training techniques and give the "whys" behind the behavior.

I've seen Brian in action -- he's a high-energy trainer and an entertaining speaker. Within two minutes, he had a 6-month old puppy he'd never seen before following him on leash, watching his every move, and obeying commands in a heartbeat, all done with positive reinforcement. This dog barely followed his owner and would not obey commands until told 3-4 times. I walked away from his seminar with a lot of practical information I could reapply at the vet clinic and at home.

I purchased this book after attending a seminar held by Brian Kilcommons in November of 1997. I have two shepherd crosses and our female was our "special needs" dog in that she displayed some very anti social behaviour, due to fear. Brian's book confirmed my view on dog training in that he does not use physical punishment in training your dog. I wouldn't raise my hand to another adult, child or animal for any reason. He provided excellent suggestions, insight into behaviour, along with interesting and helpful "case studies". I have read numerous books on dog training and the minute I see any mention of training a dog using physical punishment, aggressive behaviour on the owner's part, confinement in an area as punishment for any length of time, etc. I have no use for the book. Brian's book, in addition to being a must for all dog owners, I recommend it to anyone who has a dog, is also an interesting book just to read. Thanks very much Brian. We have too beautiful dogs and they are very well behaved and our "special needs" little darling has replaced her special needs with needs such as all the love, care and attention we can give them.

As the author of "ASK OKSANA," a tongue-in-cheek dog advice website that is 'written' by a delusional Borzoi dog, when fans write in and ask serious behavior/training questions, GOOD OWNERS, GREAT DOGS is the only book that is recommended to ASK OKSANA's fans because Brian Kilcommons is one of the few dog trainers that really knows what he is doing. In this simple book, Kilcommons is able to impart his practicle dog training methods so that one can follow his advice and actually see results rapidly. There's no magic to obedience training; it's a matter of establishing who is Alpha and conveying your commands to the dog and praising instantly when the dog is doing what you want him to do. Yes, there are others who preach food rewards and clicker training, but what do you do when you have no treats or the clicker? This book teaches the basics and gives advice on other important subjects like introducing a new pet to the household and other areas where owners commonly make mistakes. Highly recommended.