Urban Dog: The Ultimate Street Smarts Training Manual (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Owning a dog in the city presents a unique set of challenges. How is housebreaking accomplished in a high-rise apartment? Where and how can a large, energetic dog be exercised? How can a dog be taught to ignore distractions such as buses and crowds? How does the owner encourage confidence or help the puppy overcome fear of loud noises at construction sites? Frankel, best known as the trainer of Oprah Winfrey's spaniels and a recognized canine behavior expert, answers these questions and more. In the first half of the book, she addresses introducing the puppy to its new environment, crate training, housebreaking, food selection, leash and collar training, and obedience. Her methods are motivational, and her information, while easy to read, is very basic. Paul Owens's The Dog Whisperer (LJ 10/1/99) and Mary Thompson's Off to a Good Start (Adams Media, 1999) are better choices if all the reader requires is information on basic training. However, since Frankel devotes the last half of her text to the special concerns of owners of city dogs, her book fills a special need and should be in all public libraries serving urban populations. (Illustrations not seen.)DFlorence Scarinci, formerly with Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

This book fills a special need & should be in all public libraries serving urban populations. -- Library Journal October 1, 2000

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Product Details

• Paperback: 237 pages
• Publisher: Willow Creek Press; 1st THUS edition (August 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572233842
• ISBN-13: 978-1572233843
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #802,939 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great even in not-quite urban areas, March 14, 2001

By A Customer

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FUN training methods that WORK!!!, September 15, 2000

By	Beth D'Elia (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

I couldn't put this book down - it's witty, fast paced and packed with practical information. The training methods have been presented clearly and are easy to follow and implement. I have an ultra-stubborn 6 month old puppy who has responded beautifully (and quickly, I might add) to Frankel's techniques. The street smarts section is INVALUABLE for those of us that live in the city - these methods will save the lives of many dogs.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superbly written and splendidly presented training manual, February 13, 2001

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

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!