Mother Knows Best: The Natural Way to Train Your Dog [Hardcover]

Carol Lea Benjamin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 5, 1985 | Series: Howell reference books

With more than 150,000 copies sold, Mother Knows Best is one of the top training books of all time. Based on the natural way a mother dog trains her puppies, Benjamin's training method is humane, effective and all natural. Now we've put a bright new cover on a timeless classic.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Mother Knows Best the natural way to train your dog

The Dog is a Social Animal, and in nature the mother is a dog's most successful teacher. This simple fact translates into a highly effective, dynamic approach to dog training based on the natural way dogs learn. Using this natural way of learning as a base, renowned author and trainer Carol Lea Benjamin presents a sensible, easy, humane training program designed to shape your dog into the best companion it can be, at home and in public. From the basics of puppy training and good house manners, on through all the levels of structured obedience exercises, Mother Knows Best: The Natural Way to Train Your Dog helps your dog learn as it was intended to. Here's the secret of how to enjoy your dog, have your dog enjoy you and enhance the human-animal bond?all at the same time! It's training you can rely on. After all, Mother Knows Best.

From the Back Cover

"Carol Benjamin makes dog training sound like more fun than a barrel of puppies.... Mother Knows Best is a thoroughly enjoyable book whose pages may become a bit worn from constant re-reading. But it's too good to read just once." —Dogs in Canada

"[The] author is someone who really loves and understands dogs, and that comes through on every page.... Every aspect of training is covered, from the basics of puppy training to structured obedience exercises, in sufficient detail and sufficient examples to show you how you can apply the advice to your own situation." —Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Health Newsletter

"Carol Benjamin has written a breakthrough book that exposes the fallacy of humanizing dogs and calls for an intelligent, reasoned, and painstaking re-evaluation of just how dogs are originally educated." —Job Michael Evans, Dog Fancy

"This book is full of excellent information and innovative ideas for turning that cute puppy into a true companion...an excellent book to give or recommend." —AKC Gazette
A Howell Dog Book of Distinction

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Howell Book House; 1st edition (March 5, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876056664
• ISBN-13: 978-0876056660
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,215 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #90 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Animal Care & Pets > Dogs

More About the Author

Carol Lea Benjamin is the award-winning author of Dog Training for Kids, Dog Tricks (with Capt. Arthur J. Haggerty), Dog Problems, Second-Hand Dog, The Chosen Puppy, Surviving Your Dog's Adolescence, Dog Training in 10 Minutes, and the Rachael Alexander and Dash mysteries, This Dog for Hire and The Dog Who Knew Too Much.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply THE Best!, December 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Mother Knows Best: The Natural Way to Train Your Dog (Hardcover)

I own a full library of dog books and of all the training methods I've studied, Carol's is definitly the best. Mother Knows Best gives a logical approach to raising a canine companion. Scattered throughout the book are humerous quips and cartoons in addition to the easy to read format. Benjamin's training methods are humane and appropriate for any dog. She provides many solutions to common problems and gives suggestions on correct ways to discipline and reward according to your dog's temperment. Her book contains a house training schedule for puppies as well as puppy manners and obedience. I would recommend this book to absolutely anyone. I only wish I could give it MORE than 5 stars!

61 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dog training at its' best, this book is excellent!, July 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mother Knows Best: The Natural Way to Train Your Dog (Hardcover)

I've had dogs all my life and I've read many books on dog training and this one is my favorite. I used Benjamins' method to train my last two dogs, and I can honestly say the results were wonderful. Written with humor and insight, this book is easy to read and very educational. Whether you are a fisrt time puppy owner or have an older dog, this book has something for you. Benjamin gives plenty of information that helps you understand your dogs' perspective and makes training fun for both you and your dog. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in raising their dog to be a loving, life-long companion.

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful book!, October 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Mother Knows Best: The Natural Way to Train Your Dog (Hardcover)

I've read many dog training books but never anything like this one. This boog goes far beyond simply training your dog for obedience. It's about REALLY communicating with your dog.
I've had dogs before and enjoyed them, but I never thought they can actually communicate - in the broader sense of the word.
'Mother knows best' changed my whole perspective on dogs, and taught me that a dog can, and should have, a vocabulary that can grow with time.
I have a wonderful little pup that I picked up from the street.
He's seven months old now and he already knows so many words.
Whenever I go to the park with him I'm the envy of all other dog owners. He comes immediately when called, knows how to sit and stay, and so much more. There's no bigger pleasure than being able to let him run free, without a leash, knowing that he won't run away, run to the road, or fight with other dogs.
A wonderful wonderful book!!