Shelby Marlo's New Art of Dog Training: Balancing Love and Discipline [Hardcover]

Shelby Marlo (Author), Taura S. Mizrahi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1999

Advises how to choose the right dog, make a dog feel safe and secure and how to housebreak any animal.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Stressing positive reinforcement instead of punishment, these three new titles are very different from pet-training books of the past that emphasized domination training methods. Diller's Dogs and Their People is perhaps the most readable, with the most logical presentation. Diller, president of the Society of North American Dog Trainers, believes that dogs are as individual as people and that training comprises two aspectsAthe teaching of specific behaviors and the prevention of problems. His approach is a blend of positive motivation and properly applied corrections. Diller presents the basics of learning theory, discusses common behavioral problems, and clarifies the pluses and minuses of the wide variety of collars, leashes, and training tools available. He gives specific recommendations for teaching doggy "etiquette" as well as practical obedience exercises. One of the most valuable chapters is on building relationships, particularly when there are other pets or children in the household. Marlo's training method is similar to Diller's, blending love and understanding with discipline. The "dog trainer to the stars" (her clients include Jamie Lee Curtis and Bridget Fonda) believes that "training is more than just sit and stay. It's also learning about dog behavior and the canine-human relationship." Her book covers myths and realities about dogs, choosing a breed, building a leadership relationship, socialization, and puppy-proofing your home. She includes extensive but comprehensible discussions of housebreaking (including the importance of feeding and watering schedules) and common behavior problems. Olympic gold medalist Louganis's For the Life of Your Dog is not so much a training manual as a book about caring for your dog from puppyhood to old age. The four main sections take the reader from the commitment required to own a dog, through puppyhood, into the prime adult years, and finally to old age. Throughout, there is never any doubt that the author is celebrating the human-animal bond. Like Diller and Marlo, Louganis, who now breeds and trains dogs, covers responsible ownership, socialization, housebreaking, basic training, and problem solving/prevention. However, the use of stories and vignettes to deliver his message sometimes makes his book seem disorganized and rambling. All three books are highly recommended for public libraries where pet books are popular. Diller has the edge for his understandable presentation on learning theory and organization, and Marlo gets extra points for her focus on building relationships and taking training beyond "sit and stay." Louganis is recommended for the intensity of his feelings and his celebration of the canine's place in the human world. [Louganis's book was previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 9/15/98.]AEdell Marie Schaefer, Brookfield P.L., Milwauke.
-AEdell Marie Schaefer, Brookfield P.L., Milwaukee
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

". . . This really is about dog training more than gossip, from picking the right puppy to correcting adult behavior problems." -- The Dallas Morning News --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Book Sales (February 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809231700
• ISBN-13: 978-0809231706
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,135,025 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must read!, June 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Shelby Marlo's New Art of Dog Training (Paperback)

I saw Shelby Marlo on Oprah and was impressed so I bought the book. Our dog has a few problem areas we wished to correct and had tried everything. The first thing I read was how to teach a dog not to jump up on people. I was truly amazed when her adviced worked! On the first try!Our dog has not jumped up on anyone in two days now. She has a wonderful approach to training dogs. Can't wait to incorporate more of her ideas.

The only thing I didn't like about the book....all the name dropping. Who cares about big-time star's dogs, problems, etc. If the advice wasn't so great in the book, the name dropping would certainly make me throw the book out. She should have focused entirely on what she knows, which is a lot, rather than who she knows. For this reason I dropped my rating from a 5 to a 4.

All that aside, I would highly recommend the book.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She's the best!, June 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Shelby Marlo's New Art of Dog Training (Paperback)

Shelby Marlo is called the Dog Whisperer, according to her clients, and you could really see it on Oprah (6/9/00). She has a terrific gift and it is so evident in this book how she loves animals and wants us all to use kinder, gentler methods of training our pets (no choke chains, yelling or humiliating them, etc.). Her methods really work. I used them to stop my dog from barking and chewing stuff up and it works! I recommend this book 100%...there is nobody better!

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, Somone who Gets it!, July 18, 2000

By 

Nicholas (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shelby Marlo's New Art of Dog Training (Paperback)

I have read so MANY books on pet training - from The Monks to Dogs Are From Mars, Cats Are From Venus (Okay maybe there really isn't a book called that.). And I have to say that I was completely lost until I found Shelby's book. In addition to agreeing with her organic and loving method of training, I was delighted to find so much time and attention paid to the treatment of "Rescue dogs." I rescued two dogs myself and Shelby's book has helped me make the transition from frightened un-socialized barky animals to confident, playful dogs that I can bring to the outside world. My friends and co-workers can't get over the change in my puppies - not to mention the lack of that stressed out look on my face! Whenever my friends tell me that they are getting a puppy - or are thinking about it - this book is my first gift!