Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A good place to start, but no real answers here, March 5, 1999
By A Customer
I was really looking forward to this book, as I'm a long-time dog lover and zoologist who's about to buy his first dog. I checked it out at the library and read through it, hoping that the comments in and about the book were right: it's the "thinking person's" guide to getting and training a dog.I was disappointed. Yes, the author is a vet and ethologist (animal behaviorist) and yes she can write well, but the content of the book is sorely lacking. I would read a chapter, feel like I was just thiiiiiis close to picking up something useful, and then it would end (or she'd change subjects). When I put the book down after a chapter or after finishing the whole thing, I thought back to recall what I'd just learned. Disturbingly, the answer was "very little." The problem here is that there's no real nuts and bolts; there's no real "hook" upon which you can hang your hat and really receive what the author's saying. It's all very general and somewhat obtuse and even ephemeral.
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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The basic family pet dog book, February 2, 1999
First, let me tell you about my point of view. During the past 30 years as an adult, I have lived with 5 dogs: 4 were family pets, 3 serious hunting dogs, 2 very good hunting dogs and 2 very good family pets (oddly enuff, the same 2!) The dogs have varied in size from 25 to 90 pounds and all had very individual personalities.I have a bias toward books. I believe I can take care of any problem, do anything, if I just lay my hands on the right book. So I have read and owned many dog training books. For sound advice on family dogs, I have come to rely on Job Michael Evans. He was the anonomous writer for the Monks of New Skete and eventually became a professional dog trainer, specializing in problem pets. His stuff works. Then I found the book at hand: DogSmart by Myrna Milani. This one volume sums up the theory behind the detailed advice from Evans. By basic in the headline above, I do not mean dumbed down or insultingly elementary. In understandable language you are given the information you need to understand how to prevent confusion and problems developing between you, the neighbors and your dog. If you have the theory and principles, you can invent your own solutions for your unique situation. This should be every prospective dog owner's first and most fundamental dog book. And interestingly, Milani dedicates this book to William E. Campbell, and the late Job Michael Evans.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Book Addressing Personalized Dog Ownership/Relationship, March 27, 2006
I found this book to be very informative and stimulating. For someone who is looking for some professional to give them a cut and dry answer to their prospective dog relationship questions this is not the right book. For someone who is interested in the mechanics and development of a highly unique (and ultimately rewarding) interpersonal relationship with a member of another species then this is the book you want. Just like people, cultures, and snowflakes, dogs are just as special and unique as individuals and breeds. This book is designed as more of a workbook or troubleshooting guide with a dash of dry humor and executed with the author's adroit writing style. If you are interested in all the different breeds get The Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World. If you are interested in developing a health well informed relationship with your specific dog (and learn a few things about yourself along the way) get this book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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by Myrna M. Milani
