Customer Reviews

Kennel Building and Management (Howell reference books)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A major disappointment for the serious kennel builder. Its only merit, perhaps, is as a starting point for further research in kennel design and management. It has very, very few useful tips or practical advice a kennel builder needs to make educated decisions when constructing or modifying a kennel. Management suggestions are simplistic at best and leave the reader with more questions than answers. Provides almost no advice in the most practical and crucial areas such as what kinds of paint and construction materials are best suited for kennels, or how to effectively heat and cool, structure a drainage system, etc. Although there are less than a handful of books on this subject, steer clear or consider this book a starting point for more research. I just completed a huge boarding and dog training facility and didn't find one truly helpful tip from this book.

This book might be good as a simple review for children interested in kennels. I found it to be very simplistic and filled with a lot of "common sense" information. If you are really interested in reading it, check your local library, it is just not worth the money.

Someone bought me this book on kennel management and as I've read the others on the market, at first glance I thought it would be of no interest and sadly a waste of their money. But I enjoyed it. You don't read over 200 pages written by a man with such experience and not learn something. It's my opinion that this isn't a high profile reference book for the already initiated, wanting factual A-Z information. (Jim Krack writes an amazing book if you want this.) Nor is it for the new-age, big bucks commercial operator-to-be, dealing with dogs as if they are plastic houseplants. It would more likely be of use to the upgrading hobbyist or novice wanting to know the fundamental arts and craft of kennel operating, and most likely will be starting with a very modest one from home. Mario shares his knowledge through his experience, examples and testimonies. His skill is not bombarding the novice with too much information and jargon. Instead he picks on a few key issues that only someone who has served (I quote from the profile page) " an extensive apprenticeship" knows that if you don't get right, or cut corners in the beginning, you'll spend forever putting it right. Some of his examples get multiple concepts over very well to someone who has not experienced them before. I like this book because it is well written and from his personal perspective and experiences. It's a stepping-stone that the novice can build upon. And also, I bet he didn't just blindly list products to use from a mailing list, but because he tried them or knew someone they had worked for. His simple odor control worked perfectly for me, while others have failed. The type of building panels he recommended for the small operator, proved to be just right. This in itself paid for the book. It's my recommendation that the simplicity of this book is not its weakness, but its joy, because only truly experienced people can simplify complicated issues so that beginners may begin to learn.

Looking for a business after retirement, this book covered all possible questions on this topic. I found it very easy to read, understand and apply information listed. I would suggest it to anyone interested in starting a Kennel business.