Customer Reviews

Remembering to Breathe: Inside Dog Obedience Competition

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

...I just couldn't wait to find out if HB and Skippy acheived their OTCH - this book is a real rollercoaster, I actually cried at the end. It's as much a love story of a man and his dog, as it is a fascinating look into the world of dog training the obedience ring. Willard (aka Skippy) writes with a benign humor and wit, it's very readable & informal.

If, like me, you are entering the world of competitive dog obedience, this book isn't only a pretty good obedience primer (I got some great tips), it will make you feel much more confident about going into the ring. I loved this book, and so far have loaned to to one friend (who read it in a day and also loved it) and a second friend who is reading it now.
I highly recommend it, could you tell?

I have recently become very interested in AKC Obedience dog training. I have a 14 month-old Golden Retriever and she and I have been training for 10 months now. I have acquired a collection of books on training techniques and such but have very high regard for only a few. This book is at the top of that list. It is more of a story than a training manual, but buried within it are many "pearls of wisdom" that I know will prove invaluable in my pursuit of AKC titles. This book is superbly written with such emotion and dedication that it is very difficult to put down. I was drawn into it even further as I began to read it and saw my own mistakes and my own experiences actually mirrored in Mr. Bailey's words. It has given me renewed confidence that anyone can do well in this sport if you persevere and have faith in yourself and your dog. Like Mr. Bailey and Honeybear, Katie and I totally blew our first AKC Novice level show. It left me feeling like hanging it all up until I found and read this book. The other thing that Willard comments on are the types of people that one encounters on this journey. Oh and how true it is. It is so good to read about these experiences and understand that there are people out there that can help you and also people that will try to hinder you. Willard so eloquently and wittingly points out how to tell the difference. I still get goosebumps when I think back on reading this book and the bond that forms between Mr. Bailey and Honeybear. She is not only his working partner, but also his lifelong companion and devoted friend. Please, read this book!!! You will be enchanted with it like I was!

How do dog obedience competitions work? Willard Bailey provides a fine survey of dog obedience competition in Remembering To Breathe: Inside Dog Obedience Competition. A blend of first person memoir and experiences in the world of the American Kennel Club dog obedience routines, this is a fine guide which covers everything from ethics and training philosophies to OTCH points and bad apples in obedience training. An intriguing insider's story, spirited and revealing.

I enjoyed this book and found the authors trials and tribulations similar to my own. It was easy to read and had several helpful tips as well. Although it's more of a novel, it can help us novice folks learn some of the ins and outs of dog shows. I doubt if someone who is already a trainer, or who is show wise would find this book helpful. But..for those of us just beginning it's great!

I am a new obedience competitor with my rescue dog. I loved this book! It really tells you the nuts and bolts of training and competing.So much of what he says is exactly my experience so far (only 5 months). I especially liked his description of how his addiction to the sport resembled a user's first rush with cocaine.Dog competition really is addicting and this book will tell you all you wanted to know without being dull and academic about it.

Satisfies on all scores: a wealth of detail on obedience trial competitions, as a a dog story and as the saga of a winning relationship between dog and owner. Well worth the price. I'll be rereading it.

I read this book twice. Then when my dog chewed it up I bought another copy. Lots of great information and an inspiring story. Well worth the money.

I am just getting started in the world of competitive dog obedience and was very inspired by this book. Not only did I pick up some great tips about dog training, I was completely inspired by Skippy's relationship with his Golden Retriever, Honeybear. It is a real page turner and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in dog obedience and anyone who loves dogs!

This is a book that's hard to put down - the story of Skip and his beautiful Golden Retriever is inspirational and very touching. There are more than a few laughs in this story and (for those of us who aspire to compete in AKC obedience) very inspirational.

I recommend this book to anyone who has a good dog and enjoys the special bond that this relationship offers.

I was looking for something that would give me a more practical approach to obdience training and what to expect. The book is helpful, but the story approach wasn't what I was looking for in an obedience guide. I would have preferred more details being in the obedience ring rather than the tale of the author and his dog through their preparation for obedience competition.