Customer Reviews

Urban Dog: The Ultimate "Street Smarts" Training Manual

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In less than a week we've already trained our 3-1/2 month old puppy to sit, stand, lay down, go to the door... using the methods in this book. They're very straightforward and Frankel has a great attitude about training dogs that is persistent throughout the book. The techniques that are said to pertain specifically to city life are excellent- even if you don't live in a super urban area- because they help you teach your dog how to deal with traffic, strangers, following you up or down stairs, and other scenarios that can happen everywhere.

My only critique is that the housebreaking section is a little weak, and I would have liked to see more information about the dog's psychology. But, overall- we're learning a lot from Frankel and on our way to a very well behaved dog.

Urban Dog is a superbly written and splendidly presented training manual for the city dwelling dog owner. Chicagoan Cis Frankel draws upon twelve years of experience training dogs to provide the reader with the basics of puppy training (housebreaking, obedience, basic commands), collars and leash handling; housebreaking in a high-rise; navigating parks, crowds and roadways; creating the "street smart" canine; stressful situations to avoid; and health care specifics for city dogs. Highly recommended, and thoroughly pet owner friendly, Urban Dog is a unique dog training manual that will enable the pet owner to get the most out of their dog while living in a city environment -- and how to get the most out of the city for their dog as well!

It is obvious from the first page to the last page of this book that the author really knows what she is talking about and that she has learned it by working with many dogs and owners. This book is chock full of great advice and is very easy to follow. It is very interesting how the author has elevated her dogs to partners in a relationship,each with specific responsibilities, something that all dog owners should consider.

This, easy to follow, training manual is not just for the Urban Dog and its owner, these training methods are for everyone!

Frankel's training methods are well suited to any environment. Her tips are well researched and supported by experts in their fields. And the section on leash control is invaluable.

I have been active in the world of dogs for many years,but I never had amazingly well trained dogs until I met Cis. I have trained 5 of my own dogs with Cis, before, during and after the publishing of her book. My dogs are well known for their obedience, and manners. I can take them anywhere, be it city, suburb, country or hotel, and never worry about what they might do to embarrass me.

Most dog trainin books out there fall into two categories

1. Those books that assume you live on a farm and the dog can run an play on large acres of land- and you have 24 hours a day available to train.

or 2. The books that teach very specialized "dog tricks".

However,those types of books do not address the situation I was facing. I live in a city appartment and I work full time. I needed my dog to be housebroken, to come to me when told, to get on well with other dogs, and lastly (but by no means leastly) not run out into traffic.

Urban Dog addresses all these and other issues faced by city dog owners (a demographic long neglected by previous dog training books). It is easy to read and the tips are useful and simple to practice- however the book is very clear that training must be often and on a consistent basis.

It is a good book to keep on the shelf even when the puppy gets older- some new issues may come up or the dog might regress a little bit. So it is good to check what Urban Dog has to say on such an issue.

Happy Training.

There are a lot of great books out on raising pups and taking care of dogs... unfortunately, I find most biased against city folk. Take for example HOUSETRAINING... where they give you plenty of advice on "letting the dog out" when it has to go... as if all your dog has to do is scratch the door, you open it, and he knows which button to push on the elevator, what floor to get off on, how to enter the right code to get back in and can hold it in THAT long... And what about walking? Crowded city streets with cars and bikes, not to mention other dogs (sometimes owned by inconsiderate idiot owners who don't use or don't know how to use a leash) create another challenge... Few books discuss this fine art of safe city precision navigation with a happy hyper pup eager to explore the world... They simply present the long term ins and outs of leash training, but not how to handle a leash so your pup is safe from day one even before he's able to rely on HIS own training.

Though yes, another reviewer is correct: The advice in this book is really great for ALL dog owners, I've found it the first to be especially PRACTICAL in terms of my own experiences and needs as a city person... I also think she observes and writes about things other books miss... For example she mentioned that a lot of pups once or twice a day get this strange burst of energy where they just start running about exhuberently and acting crazy and not to worry about it... I wonder how many puppy owners have noticed this and wonder if their dogs need to be put on valium or have some strange problem and have no idea what to do... but she simply points it out... and says not to worry.... (*phew*) She also offers fantatic advice on crate training (*I now REALLY regret having not gotten this book when I first got my pup!)

Another thing I like is how to explains how to use games to teach your pup practical things, including training it to know to go to the door when it has to go... and other need tricks that teach/enforce very important skills (recalls, stays even how to use a hula hoop to teach "leave it!".) - - Other practical manners even include how to know the right amount of water to give your dog (to prevent accidents), and even tips on how to use your body posture to control the dog without even having to use leash corrections.

I have one and only one criticism about the book: The photos are nice, but I think more diagrams would make the leash method demonstrations a bit clearer.

All in all a great book... packed with lot's and lot's and lot's of practical advice and that will let few down who've felt "shunned" by the other books geared more towards the Green Acres set... and as an added bonus, very little B.S. (no multi-chapter lectures on the history of the evolution of the species and why her method works and where others fall short.) - - As you read it, you will simply learn how to get through the day and improve your skills as your dog's best friend and caretaker.

In conclusion... ESSENTIAL READING !

I was impressed with this training book from the word go. Cis, a Chicago based dog Trainer, has covered many of the issues that most dog training books over look. Things like leash mechanics, introducing a new puppy to an adult dog and much, much more.

This book has information that every dog owner should have ... even if you don't live in the city! If your looking for your first dog training book or looking to add to your collection, I highly recommend picking this one up.

I have read various books about dog training but this one is the only one that I have found that addresses the problems that a dog living in a city might face. He needs to know how to recognize the difference between the sidewalk and the street, how to look before crossing, etc. This book is necessary if you have a dog and walk it around high traffick areas, or even for suburban dog owners who want to protect their dogs from neighborhood traffick.

A woman in a pet store recommended this book to me, and it was the best gift I could've given my new puppy. Within a week, my new 3 1/2 month old cocker spaniel was already trained to sit, stand, lay down, shake, and best of all, he was almost fully housebroken too!

And that's not all... The book also teaches you how to socialize your dog in an urban environment, which is vitally important for dog owners living in the city.

If you want people to love and be impressed with your dog, you really need this book!! It even worked for a person like me, who thought they could NEVER teach a dog ANYTHING!

Buy it!!!

My parents could not believe I was moving to Chicago. Warnings flew about big city folks and their ways ... tiny apartments and no pets! I'd always had a dog growing up and was sure I could handle a dog in the city. Cis's book helped my dog and me save face with the family. The first few weeks with my new puppy were awful and I could hear the "I told you so's" already. I found this book and it has completely turned our situation around! I'm so happy to have my Dog and life in the big city too!