It's Me or the Dog: How to Have the Perfect Pet [Paperback]

Victoria Stilwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 31, 2007

Canine expert Victoria Stilwell shows readers how to train their dogs out of even the most difficult and persistent bad behaviors. It’s Supernanny for your dog

Victoria Stilwell is one of the world’s most recognized and respected dog trainers. As the host of Britain’s hit television series It’s Me or the Dog and the founder of training schools on both sides of the Atlantic, she is known as much for her spunky attitude as for her caring, effective methods. Now, in her first book, Victoria shows how to tame even the most problematic dog. Simple, intuitive instructions and color photographs help dog owners not merely train their pets, but understand them -- so when a new issue arises, they’ll be able to adjust their approach and nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand. Throughout, she reminds owners that training isn’t about imposing their will on a dog; it’s about giving him the tools he needs to live in the human world. Topics include:

--Think Dog: understanding your pup --Talk Dog: canine communication --Dog School: basic obedience training --Dog’s Dinner: the right diet --Accidents Will Happen: house-training --You’ll Never Walk Alone: exercise --Worker’s Playtime: having fun with your dog

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Victoria Stilwell is an actress-turned-dog-trainer who has founded training schools in New York, New Jersey, and Britain. She stars in the U.K.’s Channel 4 television series It’s Me or the Dog. Since 1999, Victoria has lived in the United States, and is now based in New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (January 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401308554
• ISBN-13: 978-1401308551
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (118 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,496 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Dogs & Wolves
  • #51 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Fauna
  • #64 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Animal Care & Pets > Dogs

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent all-around training guide, May 23, 2007

By 

citywulf (Atlanta, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: It's Me or the Dog: How to Have the Perfect Pet (Paperback)

This clearly written book covers all the essential topics (including some that many books overlook) in a very accessible way. The author believes in leadership, but she also stresses that your job is to help your dog learn to live in a human world. Her philosophy: "Training is not about imposing types of behavior on your dog that are alien to his nature. It's not about making your dog fearful or breaking his will. It's giving him the tools to live in your world." Her advice is practical and effective, and for "show me" people, her tv series is also excellent.

Chapters:
Think Dog/understanding your dog
Talk Dog/communicating with your dog
Dog School/basic obedience training
Dog's Dinner/feeding your dog the right diet
Accidents Will Happen/how to house-train your dog
You'll Never Walk Alone/exercising your dog
Ain't Misbehaving/teach your dog how to live in your world
Worker's Playtime/how to have fun with your dog

For those looking for problem-solving guides with a similar practical, positive approach, try Outwitting Dogs: Revolutionary Techniques For Dog Training That Work!.

109 of 116 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolute must for dog owners - FANTASTIC!!!, March 12, 2007

By 

Brian - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's Me or the Dog: How to Have the Perfect Pet (Paperback)

This book is wonderful. A friend of mine who lives in England ordered it for me, as Victoria Stilwell has a dog training TV show ('It's Me or the Dog') over there that started around the same time as Cesar Millan's Dog Whisperer show here. Apparently, the show is coming to Animal Planet in the US in April.

First of all, the book is beautiful. Could be a coffee table book in its own right considering the beautiful photography and layout. It's presented so that you can flip around from chapter to chapter as needed, which is nice for a dog training book. I'd recommend reading it all the way through first, though, as you get a real sense of her philosophy that way.

Which is the best thing about the book. The whole concept is to try to get us dog owners to view things from a dog's point of view and understand the reasons behind the behavior we're trying to change in our dogs. She still says to treat the dog like an animal and not a child, but it really opened my eyes about how and why certain things were happening, and I feel like my relationship with my dog (which was great before I read it) is even better now. It's like discovering there's another plane from which you can view things. Very positive-reward-based training methods which have worked wonders for us so far. Really easy to read yet intelligently presented.

My friend in England says Victoria is the biggest name in dog training there now because of her show, and after reading her book, I can see why. Good for dog lovers or dog owners. Even if you've got everything sorted out between you and your dog, you'll love this book, as it's truly a celebration of dogs and our relationship with them, as well as a fantastic training tool. A must for all dog people!!!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's me or the Dog: How to have the Perfect Pet, August 17, 2007

By 

Grace Jaques "J9 bookaholic" (NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: It's Me or the Dog: How to Have the Perfect Pet (Paperback)

Her approach to dog training is very postive and upbeat. She helps you remember that while it is a process training your pet that you shouldn't forget that you can have fun and enjoy them. I wish there would have been a bit more information on puppy specific issues but on the whole still a good tool for understanding and training your dog.