Customer Reviews

Positive Perspectives: Love Your Dog, Train Your Dog

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4 star:		(3)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a dog trainer myself who often turns to Pat Miller's journal articles for more information on how to effectively prevent or solve behavior problems, I was delighted to see her newest book published, since it serves as such a handy professional reference. However, in spite of the fact that Pat's book has enough depth to be an excellent learning resource for professionals, and I think it is one that every trainer should have in his/her library, Pat actually writes with the average pet owner in mind. Her warm, witty, "user-friendly" style makes it easy for even novice pet owners to read and understand what they need to know to communicate clearly with dogs, to build a great relationship with their dogs, and to handle problems along the way in a fair and gentle way. Another plus is that Pat includes a review of the latest dog products and equipment, some updates and advances in veterinary care and a resource/information list for further reading. If you are a dog owner who sometimes wishes that you knew a great trainer you could consult with, buying Pat Miller's book is one of the next best things you can do. As a long time advocate for dog-friendly training methods, Pat is one of the shining lights of the dog training profession and her latest book is an ideal companion to accompany anyone taking that wonderful journey with a dog from puppyhood to old age.

I've got every dog training book under the sun and this book is one of the best if not THE best! I was introduced to Pat Miller's work through The Whole Dog Journal (another must have publication for dog owners) and was overjoyed when she came out with this book. She covers everything including common problems. Her writing is down to earth and very practical. While most dog training books repeat the same information, Positive Perspectives brings new, fresh techniques and approches to the table. Whether you are a new dog owner or a seasoned trainer you will not regret adding this book to your collection!

As a dog trainer/lover/owner, I find this book incredibly helpful. Already and Pat Miller fan who teaches her methods and who owns and uses her book The Power of Positive Dog Training for reference constantly, I was thrilled when this book was published. I reccomend it to all my clients because it is easy to read and understand and is written in a way that won't intimidate non-professionals. I just bought a copy as a present for a friend who is getting a new puppy and who, I am sure, will call me at all hours of the day with puppy questions. With this book, my friend can get clear and helpful answers and hopefully build confidence as a new dog owner as she experiences how quickly and how well Pat's methods work.
Great book, when is the video coming, Pat?

If you have a dog, you'll definitely want to buy Pat Miller's second book, Positive Perspectives: Love Your Dog, Train Your Dog. And, be sure to buy several copies for your friends too, because they're going to want to borrow yours!

Pat's on a mission to not only spread the word about positive dog training, but also to help you master it step by step. In her new book, you will find information you'll want to refer to over the course of your dog's lifetime. You'll find chapters that cover basic dog training such as "Living with Humans 101," to more complex behavioral issues such as "Don't Leave Me! Dealing With Separation Anxiety" and "Bite Me! Avoiding and Overcoming Aggression." Positive Perspectives is written in an easily understandable and thoroughly pleasurable way for the general public as well as professional dog trainers.

Tara G. McLaughlin, CPDT, CDBC
GoodDog! Training
Charlottesville, VA

This is one of two books that I include with my dog training classes in Seattle. I like it because the chapters are in bite-size, informative, entertaining pieces. Pat Miller is one of the premier trainers in the country, and she's brought us a gem with this book!

Grisha Stewart, MA, CPDT
Ahimsa Dog Training, Seattle

We recently adopted an adult dog who is incredibly timid. We know "normal" training with any negative re-enforcement would be a disaster for her. This book was fantastic. All the steps are positive and she has responded very well to it. I do think it takes a little longer to train with only positive re-enforcement, but the emotional benefits are fantastic. This book is not a substitute for taking your dog to a training class, but it is a fantastic resource to use at home. I particularly appreciated the sections on how dogs learn and interpret things. In particular, I found very valuable the advice that every moment you're with your dog is a training situation. If you are not actively training your dog, then your dog is actively training you. :)

I find this book a valuable guide to my every day life with my dogs. With a multiple dog family it is easy to forget how to deal with each issue as it arises, and this book is easy to read, understand and get answers quickly. I keep it handy and use it often. Pat is a valuable resource in training and peaceful existence with our animals and I use both of her books with confidence that I am doing right by my dogs.

I have had dogs all my life, and though I thought I knew dogs pretty well and how to train them, I learned a lot from this book. I recognized that some of my methods were out of date. I tried these new and improved methods on a new dog I just got who is 1.5 years old. It has been amazing how quickly our bond grew from these both sensible and respectful methods of teaching. I learned not to be quite so forceful with my new friend. I learned that being Alpha in the pack did not mean having to intimidate my dogs. I highly recommend it for those who are not getting the behaviors they want and need from their dog companions, and also, for those who are considering getting or just have added a new dog of any age to the family. Knowledge like this can really save many if not most of these beautiful and loving animals from being dumped at our shelters or elsewhere.

I found that this book had excellent information but seemed more suitable for training adult dogs. I was hoping for more detailed information on puppies. While the book offers information on puppy training issues, it does not go into great detail on their development, specific challenges to expect at different puppy stages, etc. While it is an excellent resource, I also ordered "My Smart Puppy: Fun, Effective and Easy Puppy Training" by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson, which I found to have much more detailed information specific to puppies.

I am a rescuer, and I have purchased many copies of this book to give to new adopters-- and I ALWAYS recommend it to every dog owner. This book offers great instruction for training obedience-- AND lots of useful information on dog behavior.