Tails from the Barkside [Hardcover]

Brian Kilcommons (Author), Sarah Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1997

Brian Kilcommons, America's premier dog trainer for the past 25 years--and coauthor with Sarah Wilson of Good Owners, Great Dogs--presents a heartwarming, humorous, and touching collection of true tales of remarkable dogs that's sure to appeal to dog lovers everywhere.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

Dog trainers Kilcommons and Wilson continue a pattern they established in Good Owners, Great Dogs (not reviewed): a self-professed tactful handling of the charges in their care and a supercilious treatment of the owners. In these pages are found dozens of short stories of dogs with problems: the flatulent Rottweiler; the bored, butt-chomping whippet cross; the submissive poodle whose Howdy Doody grin is mistaken for savagery; dogs mean and reckless and sexually dysfunctional. As Kilcommons and Wilson tell it, the canine troubles are remedied in a nonce--as soon as their jughead owners see the light, that is. There is the mistress who worries that her dog doesn't poop as much as she does, and the dog has three bowel movements daily. Ha, ha. Another woman who feels her dog is oversexed, yet plays with him with her rump in the air. Ho! Each vignette is signed--Kilcommons comes across all superior and disdainful (``People frequently tell us their dogs are dumb. We usually correct them''), Wilson the purveyor of cautionary and morality tales. After a story of abuse, Wilson intones, ``say a prayer for little dogs and children everywhere''; and while out walking her dogs, she outwits an exhibitionist, not by sicking the mutts on him, but by laughing, ``loudly and long, and that laugh was the only long thing in the vicinity.'' What this has to do with dogs is anyone's guess. It may be that the authors are striving for Barbara Woodhouse's gruff and impatient bluntness; unfortunately, their attitude comes across as plain smug. Perhaps Kilcommons and Wilson's work with dogs is magical, though thoughtful trainers will say that's half the equation; the admittedly more troublesome half, their handling of the owners, could use a fair amount of polishing. (b&w photos) (Radio satellite tour) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

From the Publisher

More praise for Tails from the Bark Side: True Stories From the Family Dog Files:

From Dog World, January 1998:

In Tails from the Bark Side, renowned author/trainers Brain Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson enlighten readers about their own experiences in dog training, dog care, about dogs themselves and share true anecdotes that warm the heart and tickle the funny bone.

In this 233-page hardcover book, the duo recount stories such as the one about Sport, a Poodle, whose friendly smile was too-often misinterpreted as bared teeth and nearly led to his early demise; the ambassador whose dog disrupted an important meeting by chewing through a door; and Redwood, a none-too-bright Malamute, whose ideas of a walk was to lie on his back and let all 100 pounds of him by dragged down the sidewalk. The authors also included a chapter devoted to their favorite "teachers" and the special lessons they have learned from them.

From The Pilot, Southern Pines, North Carolina, November 17, 1997:

Animal lovers everywhere will enjoy this collection of tales of dogs, the authors have either had or dealt with during their careers.

Both Kilcommons and Wilson are renowned dog trainers; Wilson even has a national television series called Pet News. Wilson, a trainer, media commentator and write, owned and operated Paws to Consider before joining forces with Kilcommons to found The Family Dog.

As you might imagine, between the two of them, they've seen it all: Redwood, the "dumbest dog we ever trained," Brutus, the Bullmastiff, whose bite was worse than his bark, and Marble, who had the ability to leap tall fences.

This is a super gift idea for the stocking of a dog lover.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Warner Books (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446521507
• ISBN-13: 978-0446521505
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,625,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best dog story books ever!, July 10, 2001

By 

goodoldmac "goodoldmac" (Charlotte, North Carolina United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tails from the Bark Side (Paperback)

Want to hear what is wrong with this book? Easy...it's not long enough. That is about it. I guess it would have been nice to have some photos of some of the dogs mentioned, but oh well. Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson, two well known dog trainers relate some of their experiences, both with client dogs and their own. The first story, involving a Jack Russell terrier that found a rather unique way to play with his tennis ball, had me laughing out loud. Brian's Rotweiler, Beau, conducting his own version of "chemical warfare" while waiting to go on at a talk show, the lady who was demonstrating to her dog how to go on the papers, Sarah dealing with a blizzard at their kennel, (Brian and Sarah are husband and wife as well as co-authors)while Brian is out of town. The terrier that was chasing a rabbit in an eighth floor apartment, the Maltese that finally bit off a little more than it could chew, every story is terrfic. Not all have happy endings, sadly, but every dog owner understands this. These two have several "must reads" for dog owners out, (with a new one coming soon)and also operate "GreatPets.com" which is rapidly becoming the most popular pet site on the web, if it is not already. There are two types of people who will like this book: Those who love dogs, and those who don't. If you fit in either of those categories, check it out I seriously doubt you will be disappointed.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ups & Downs of dog training is a smash!, February 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Tails from the Barkside (Hardcover)

Brian Kilcommons is one of my favorite trainers. He's amazing to watch and very practical in his training. What makes this book stand out is the collection of stories from his years of training dogs, and it's difficult to tell which is more entertaining; the dogs or their owners. Filled with touching stories and hilarious anecdotes, I was delighted with this book and sorry it wasn't longer. Anyone who has ever attempted to train a canine can understand, enjoy and even learn from this light read.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Heartwarming Delight this is!, October 11, 2001

By 

Mary Ann Bohman (Peoria, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tails from the Bark Side (Paperback)

The authors have done an excellent job of showing how diverse dogs can be AND how much they add to our lives.

Any one who adores their dog/s would love to read this book! It would make a wonderful gift. That's how I got it, and I've been buying it for others. I'm always told it was a terrific gift!

I couldn't put it down, it was THAT good!

An added benefit, the authors train dogs. You can pick up some tips!