Customer Reviews

StarPet: How to Make Your Pet a Star

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We picked up this book during our research about how to get our two cats, Ted and Sylvia, jobs in the entertainment industry, for we had agreed among ourselves that they are super cute, and if we liked them, and we are very picky, why shouldn't the world?

You get a lot for your money with STARPET. At first I thought author Bash Dibra was from India; his name sounds like a Bollywood star. But, as he reveals, he grew up in a refugee camp in his native Albania, where he became obsessed with dogs and how to train them properly for entertainment. Growing up, he went to Hollywood where he met the legends of star pet training, including Rudd Weatherwax, the man behind LASSIE, and Frank Inn, the man who trained BENJI. The Old Masters, Bash calls them. They told him their secrets and now he passes them on, like a baton made of beef jerky.

work training the pets of a dozen or more Hollywood and music stars, including the pets of Jennifer Lopez and Mariah Carey. Catfight? He doesn't reveal, but I would hate to see those two cats pitted against each other, for it is said their owners aren't too fond of each other. Bash holds private StarPet workshops where he will work with you individually, but we are so far from Hollywood it's good he has condensed his training into nearly 400 pages, illustrated with dandy photos and some cleverly conceived line drawings. Bash reveals the three keys to motivation-the three P's he calls them-persistence, praise, and patience-but never punishment. He doesn't believe in cruelty to animals, even in the service of making them stars. That would be crossing the moral line.

He envisions a world in which you and your pet can enjoy the truly creative, collaborative work done by "Strasberg and Monroe," or "Scorcese and De Niro." That's aiming a little high, but you get the idea. A heartwarming book by a man with old-fashioned show business charm and moxie.

PS, we decided not to train Ted and Sylvia for stardom after all, but they are still probably the most appealing cats in North America.

this is a great book whether you own a mixed breed or a purebred..you and your companion animal will feel as if you are ready to compete in any dog show using the tips bash gives you in this book including behavior and attitude...or maybe become a TV star...

Every day I thank my lucky stars (no pun intended) that Bash Dibra has written all of the books that he has. My two cocker spaniels can roam around the back yard of our house or on a huge beach, and I know they will return on call, thanks to the training techniques I have learned in the books by Bash Dibra. His newest, Star Pet, is absolutely super, equaling his previous ones. He can teach you how to train your pet to become a star, and in addition, he is truly the trainer to the stars, (e.g., Madonna, Henry Kissinger, Sarah Jessica Parker, among many others). I have my own pet whom i consider to be a star herself, even if it is not in Hollywood--a 10 year old cocker spaniel named Abby. She is definitely a star in her own right-not in the movies or on tv , but working in a hospital with children who have cancer, brightening up their lives and the lives of the entire staff, as well as myself. Her pet therapy is a huge part of our lives. She is my oldest--I also have a 4 year old cocker as well, and without the Bash Dibra books, I would not have either one.

Dibra truly understands dogs unlike anyone I have ever encountered. It is almost as if he can read their minds and as a result, he is able to, in turn, teach an owner to understand why their pet does what it does and how to work on new behaviors and horizons, be they starry or simply "down home." Before I decided to get Abby, I read the books that he had written to learn what I needed to know about getting a puppy and training it. Then, before I got the second one, I reread everything, especially how one should go about introducing a puppy into a household where the first dog had been a princess in her environment for many years.. All of Bash Dibra's books are beyond a doubt a MUST for anyone who has a dog. Even if you are not interested in show business, these books are wonderful just for your own Star Pet.

This book was absolutely terrific. Bash Dibra has confirmed that he is the world's foremost authority on animal training. There is nobody else in his league. StarPet and Dibra's other fabulous books are a testament to his uncanny and simply stunning ability to work with animals. (In the book, he describes how he trained a wolf!!!)

Bash Dibra has a wonderful way of explaining his techniques so the reader can understand and actually use them. Using simple language, he shows the reader the ins and outs of how to communicate with your pet and get him/her to accomplish even the most difficult tasks. It is truly amazing. Dibra is articulate as well as humorous. He is also so incredibly knowledgable, you can't help but learn from this book. It is clear from his writing that Bash Dibra loves what he does and truly cares about the animals he trains.

StarPet deserves the most enthusiastic recommendation. I have a 7-month old cocker spaniel (Brady), and I am working hard to train her properly during this formative time. Anytime I have a question, I look to Bash Dibra's books. He is a shining star in the world of pet training. No one else even compares. Even if you are not interested in making your pet a star, the book is extremely valuable. The insight it contains is phenomenal. StarPet is a necessary addition to any pet owner's library.

One of the things that impressed me about StarPet is Bash Dibra's demonstration of how kindness, love, and compassion with animals reap personal rewards, amd make happier pets. It could be a text-book for everyone trying to train a pet. Bash's warm, fun-loving personality illustrates how necessary those qualities are to being successful as an animal trainer. The stories he has included in this book add to the richness of its content, and provides its readers with hope of attaining positive results from practicing his blueprints of training, even for the most "untrainable" of animals.

Seeing Bash Dibra take an aggressive, stubborn dog and turn him into a well-behaved, friendly one is one of the pleasures of attending his training classes. In his books, including this one, Dibra shares with the wider public tips that enable us to train our dogs for companionship or -- in this case -- stardom. If you think your dog could help pay the rent, this is THE book to read. And if your dog is not destined for stardom -- this book can help you make sure s/he wins friends and admirers on walks in the neighborhood.

I personally have worked with Bash with my Labrador Retrievers and I know, first hand, how incredible Bash is with dogs. He doesn't just understand how to train them to be wonderful family members. Bash truly understands dogs in a way I've never seen before. My first encounter with Bash was with my first dog, Taffy. We adopted her, as an older dog, from the Lab. Rescue Mission. Taffy came home wild and Bash not only helped her to relax and trust that life was good and that she was in safe territory, but Taffy became the type of loving pet to my family (then with three young children) that you would swear we raised from puppyhood.

Years later, after Taffy passed away, we did decide to raise a puppy, another yellow Lab. that we named Rosebud. From the very beginning, with Bash's help and guidance, Rosebud (who just turned twelve years old) has become the most amazing, well-behaved, sweet, loving, obedient dog I have ever known. AND, each time Bash comes to our home to see Rosie she just melts with love and adoration for Bash. She actually (always) trys to leave with him to go to his house!

We (just three weeks ago) brought home (yet another Lab)an 8 week old puppy named Mango. All I can say is that there is only one person in this entire world that I would EVER trust to help guide me with my dogs and that's Bash Dibra. when it comes to training dogs, Bash is just the softest, kindest, most knowing man. I'm so proud that I can say that Bash is now Mango's trainer. Please trust Bash's instructions contained in his books and on his video tapes. He's really (and truly) one of a kind. He's just the best.

A friend suggested I read this book (I have 3 of the most adorable cats - proud mom I am). I was surprised to read how much of himself Mr. Dibra puts into his book, understanding him as well as his understanding of pets. I enjoyed his book very much. It was entertaining and truly informative. I also came to realize from his tips and suggestions that 2 of my 'girls' were not ready for the biz. However, I have begun to 'primp' the other to get her ready for her close-up (at least in her portfolio for now). Thanks Mr. Dibra for your enlightening and entertaining book.

Having been a fan of Bash's books for many years this book is as excellent as the others! Bash always makes training your pets very 'explainable' and east to manage with his loving no-nonsense system and formulas. His STARPET book addition is presented in the same way; its still an important read for dog and cat owners even if they are not that interested in producing a 'Star' as simple techniques can be taught and socialization for your animals as well in a clear concise fashion,his Starpet wkshop should be sought after for all as well!Bash is a master at excellent training as well as knowing all the tricks to keep any breed happy and interested,utilizing this book has been a boon for my poodles;Bash's judgement is always dependable,the presentation in his latest book is clear and concise as well,making it an informative and fun read!

When I first flipped through this book I was surprised and dismayed to see that the author promotes the use of painful and potentially injurious collars such as the choke collar and/or prong collar. That alone was enough to make me return the book--NO dog collar should poke or choke! There's also lots of info about cats, which is legitimate enough, but since most readers will be training one or the other, and not both, this amounts to wasted text (for which you pay). I'd recommend going online and digging up some info on getting your dog into film or TV, and buying a book like Dog Tricks for Dummies in the meantime. Cute cover, but I returned this one because of the choke-collar issue. FYI, I have an energetic German Shepherd who I pleasantly and successfully trained 100% through positive methods. It is totally possible to do this--I don't care WHAT you're training for (TV, search and rescue, family pet, etc.).