The Dog Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Troubleshooting Tips, and Advice on Lifetime Maintenance [Paperback]

David Brunner (Author), Sam Stall (Author), Jude Buffum (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Veteran veterinarian Brunner points out that "while most…highly developed consumer products come with instruction manuals, dogs do not"; he remedies that situation with this cleverly arranged and eye-catching little volume. Organized like a standard set of operating instructions (but with much cuter illustrations, by Paul Kepple and Jude Buffum of Headcase Design), the book takes readers through a "parts list," an overview of makes and models, home "installation," programming (i.e., training), fuel requirements, maintenance and more. Brunner’s advice is straightforward and easy to understand, and it covers—if sometimes only briefly—just about any situation a dog owner might face. The authors highlight cautionary tips, and provide diagrams to illustrate processes such as trimming a dog’s nails and transporting an injured dog. With this guide, readers will find it easier to get a handle on their complicated canine.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Description

Pee stains on the carpet. Barking at all hours of the night. That embarrassing thing he does with your leg. It's enough to make you cry out, "Why doesn't my dog have an owner's manual?" And now, thankfully, he does. Through step-by-step instructions and helpful schematic diagrams, The Dog Owner's Manual explores hundreds of frequently asked questions: Which breeds interface best with children? How can I program my model to fetch? And why is its nose always wet? Whatever your concerns, you'll find the answers right here -- courtesy of celebrated veterinarian Dr. David Brunner and acclaimed author Sam Stall. Together, they provide plenty of useful advice for both new and experienced dog owners.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Quirk Books (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931686858
• ISBN-13: 978-1931686853
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #358,410 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book!, August 19, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Dog Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Troubleshooting Tips, and Advice on Lifetime Maintenance (Paperback)

This is a must-have for dog owners and fanciers alike! I bought this with my birthday money, and the humorous text urged me to snatch it from the shelves. It's a book to read when in the bowels of "Dog Ownwer Despair". If you love or like dogs, this is a book you NEED to have!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Your Search Is Over, July 5, 2004

By	Brenda Laurich-Braton (Barnesville, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dog Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Troubleshooting Tips, and Advice on Lifetime Maintenance (Paperback)

Average pet owner to professional trainer - you NEED this book in your library. In fact, you no longer need a library at all...this is the book to reference no matter what your canine question or concern. Easy to read and charming illustrations that offer a plethora of informaton covering any aspect of owning, caring, or training a dog. As a companion dog trainer, "the dog owner's manual" has become the most important book I will require my client's to read. Bravo Dr Brunner and Sam Stall!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent gift for new dog owners, July 20, 2005

By	S. C. Watson (WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Dog Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Troubleshooting Tips, and Advice on Lifetime Maintenance (Paperback)

Though informative, the real value is in the illustrations and amusing text which has been written in the style of a computer manual. In the section on dog anatomy, nipples are described as preinstalled docking ports for peripherals, noting that "the circuitry of the male model renders these valves inoperative." The book is liberally peppered with gems like these. Another reviewer mentioned that the illustrations are very Ikea and that was spot on--Ikea ought to consider selling this in their pet section. I would not personally use this book to replace a more text-base dog book with photos, but it's ideal as a gift, worth the laughs, and has some interesting facts and essential information.