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Mother Knows Best: The Natural Way to Train Your Dog Hardcover – Download: Adobe Reader, March 1, 1985

by Carol Lea Benjamin (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 368 ratings
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With more than 150,000 copies sold, Mother Knows Best is one of the top training books of all time. Based on the natural way a mother dog trains her puppies, Benjamin's training method is humane, effective and all natural. Now we've put a bright new cover on a timeless classic.
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  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Howell Book House
  4. Publication date
    March 1, 1985
  5. Dimensions
    6.2 x 1 x 9.1 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0876056664
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0876056660
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"Mother Knows Best" the natural way to train your dog

The Dog is a Social Animal, and in nature the mother is a dog's most successful teacher. This simple fact translates into a highly effective, dynamic approach to dog training based on the natural way dogs learn. Using this natural way of learning as a base, renowned author and trainer Carol Lea Benjamin presents a sensible, easy, humane training program designed to shape your dog into the best companion it can be, at home and in public. From the basics of puppy training and good house manners, on through all the levels of structured obedience exercises, Mother Knows Best: The Natural Way to Train Your Dog helps your dog learn as it was intended to. Here's the secret of how to enjoy your dog, have your dog enjoy you and enhance the human-animal bond?all at the same time! It's training you can rely on. After all, Mother Knows Best.

From the Back Cover

"Carol Benjamin makes dog training sound like more fun than a barrel of puppies.... "Mother Knows Best" is a thoroughly enjoyable book whose pages may become a bit worn from constant re-reading. But it's too good to read just once." --"Dogs in Canada"

"[The] author is someone who really loves and understands dogs, and that comes through on every page.... Every aspect of training is covered, from the basics of puppy training to structured obedience exercises, in sufficient detail and sufficient examples to show you how you can apply the advice to your own situation." --"Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Health Newsletter"

"Carol Benjamin has written a breakthrough book that exposes the fallacy of humanizing dogs and calls for an intelligent, reasoned, and painstaking re-evaluation of just how dogs are originally educated." --Job Michael Evans, "Dog Fancy"

"This book is full of excellent information and innovative ideas for turning that cute puppy into a true companion...an excellent book to give or recommend." --"AKC Gazette"
A Howell Dog Book of Distinction

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Howell Book House; First Edition (March 1, 1985)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0876056664
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0876056660
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.24 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.2 x 1 x 9.1 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 368 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Carol Lea Benjamin

    Carol Lea Benjamin

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    When she was a little girl, Carol's mother was hoping she'd become the next Shirley Temple because she had naturally curly hair. It was a curious wish because Carol couldn't hold a tune, act or dance. What Carol wanted, from as far back as she could remember, was to become a dog trainer and a writer. After trying several other things along the way, teaching school, working as a private investigator, typing the same letter over and over for a charity, she finally did get both her wishes. Her books have won many fans and many awards, for which she is extremely grateful. But most satisfying is that she has been able to help dogs behave better, get smarter and be more fun for their people and that she has been able to mine what her mother used to call her "overactive imagination" and tell stories for people to read after - or instead of - a hard day's work. She still can't sing, dance or act, but some few people think she can write and she maintains this illusion herself.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Carol Lea Benjamin

    Carol Lea Benjamin

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Carol Lea Benjamin is the award-winning author of Dog Training for Kids, Dog Tricks (with Capt. Arthur J. Haggerty), Dog Problems, Second-Hand Dog, The Chosen Puppy, Surviving Your Dog's Adolescence, Dog Training in 10 Minutes, and the Rachael Alexander and Dash mysteries, This Dog for Hire and The Dog Who Knew Too Much.

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
368 global ratings
"Benevolent but Alpha"
5 Stars
"Benevolent but Alpha"
I JUST RECOMMENDED THIS BOOK IN THE PARK YESTERDAY...to the new parents of a labrador puppy. I have been singing this book's praises for decades...since it was first recommended to me in early 90's. Carol Lea brings kindness, common sense, creativity, intelligence, and most of all humor to that most joyous of events, bringing home a new hound.I RE-read this everytime I have suffered the loss, grit my teeth and given my heart again. I admit I was leery of the title initially, sounded a bit like a Leave It to Beaver episode. But her point is to use the time honored techniques canine mothers have practiced for millennia. Mostly. This is a book you can read snuggled up on the couch with the new furr ball. Not a dry text book like every other dog training book I unfortunately paid good money for. AND she does her own darling cartoons.I am debating purchasing the Audio book. I had so hoped it was read by Carol Lea herself. It is not. But I can absolutely recommend the physical book, as well as her other titles: SURVIVING YOUR DOG'S ADOLESCENCE, THE SECOND HAND DOG, and DOG PROBLEMS. I have gifted this book again and again. Should Carol Lea ever happen to read this, THANK YOU. A trained dog gets to go places and do things a non-trained dog can't. My dogs have lead richer, fuller lives thanks to you. You truly are one of my heroes.
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Top reviews from the United States

Diana Kent
5.0 out of 5 stars "Benevolent but Alpha"
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2020
Verified Purchase
I JUST RECOMMENDED THIS BOOK IN THE PARK YESTERDAY...to the new parents of a labrador puppy. I have been singing this book's praises for decades...since it was first recommended to me in early 90's. Carol Lea brings kindness, common sense, creativity, intelligence, and most of all humor to that most joyous of events, bringing home a new hound.

I RE-read this everytime I have suffered the loss, grit my teeth and given my heart again. I admit I was leery of the title initially, sounded a bit like a Leave It to Beaver episode. But her point is to use the time honored techniques canine mothers have practiced for millennia. Mostly. This is a book you can read snuggled up on the couch with the new furr ball. Not a dry text book like every other dog training book I unfortunately paid good money for. AND she does her own darling cartoons.

I am debating purchasing the Audio book. I had so hoped it was read by Carol Lea herself. It is not. But I can absolutely recommend the physical book, as well as her other titles: SURVIVING YOUR DOG'S ADOLESCENCE, THE SECOND HAND DOG, and DOG PROBLEMS. I have gifted this book again and again. Should Carol Lea ever happen to read this, THANK YOU. A trained dog gets to go places and do things a non-trained dog can't. My dogs have lead richer, fuller lives thanks to you. You truly are one of my heroes.
Customer image
Diana Kent
5.0 out of 5 stars "Benevolent but Alpha"
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2020
I JUST RECOMMENDED THIS BOOK IN THE PARK YESTERDAY...to the new parents of a labrador puppy. I have been singing this book's praises for decades...since it was first recommended to me in early 90's. Carol Lea brings kindness, common sense, creativity, intelligence, and most of all humor to that most joyous of events, bringing home a new hound.

I RE-read this everytime I have suffered the loss, grit my teeth and given my heart again. I admit I was leery of the title initially, sounded a bit like a Leave It to Beaver episode. But her point is to use the time honored techniques canine mothers have practiced for millennia. Mostly. This is a book you can read snuggled up on the couch with the new furr ball. Not a dry text book like every other dog training book I unfortunately paid good money for. AND she does her own darling cartoons.

I am debating purchasing the Audio book. I had so hoped it was read by Carol Lea herself. It is not. But I can absolutely recommend the physical book, as well as her other titles: SURVIVING YOUR DOG'S ADOLESCENCE, THE SECOND HAND DOG, and DOG PROBLEMS. I have gifted this book again and again. Should Carol Lea ever happen to read this, THANK YOU. A trained dog gets to go places and do things a non-trained dog can't. My dogs have lead richer, fuller lives thanks to you. You truly are one of my heroes.
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17 people found this helpful
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Insyte
5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading for Every Dog Owner
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2020
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Required reading for every dog owner who is not already a veterinarian or other dog professional. Everything is taught with great insight into how the dog is thinking about you and your behavior. This stuff is not “intuitive” or “common sense.” There’s real science and wisdom here. Friends who recommended this book to us have perhaps the best-mannered dog we’ve known without any hint that their dog is fearful or anxious about doing something wrong. She’s a sweet, happy pup who simply responds quickly and without resistance to every command.

We’re using this book to train our young cockapoo pup. It definitely takes time, self discipline (on the part of the owner!) and patience, but the results so far are wonderful. I could never have “figured this stuff out” on my own. Our dog is happy, loving and playful and, it seems, happiest when she knows she has done something that pleases us. It’s quite a magical relationship.

Whenever I see someone walking a wild or unruly dog, I want to hand them a copy of this book - for both their own and their dog’s sake! If you want your dog to be a happy, well-mannered and cooperative member of the family - and who doesn’t? - read this book and spend a focused 15-30 minutes of quality time with your dog every day for 3-4 weeks. You and your dog will love the results!
4 people found this helpful
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Tessa
4.0 out of 5 stars Train your dog like mother -- with no food/treats to reward behavior. (?)
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2016
Verified Purchase
Have read many books on dog training. This is one of the better ones. I do find it perplexing that the author instructs to train your dog without the use of any food/treats. "Mother" does not use treats, so why should we? Well that seems to make sense, but I wonder if it is altogether sensible to believe that the best way to train is to emulate the mother dog without concessions to the fact that we are not her, after all, and in many cases, the dogs we are training are no longer puppies, and they do know we are not their mothers! Besides, many dogs are very food motivated. I read another book that says that you should study your dog to identify what it is that is most strongly motivating -- food, play time, praise -- and even which kinds of each of these. One suggests having levels of rewards -- bronze, silver, gold, for rewarding behaviors of varying levels of accomplishment. This seems to make more sense. Having said that, the Carol Benjamin book provides a lot of insight and is worth reading.
19 people found this helpful
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Sass
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the BEST!
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2005
Verified Purchase
I am a dog trainer/psychologist. I started out training dogs by just forcing them to do what I wanted. This was how most trainers did it. Condition responce/Skinner method. Then I read William Koehler in the 1960s. Now we are taking about more of a training method though understanding the dog.
Vicki Hearne 1980s and Barbara Woodhouse in the 1980s opened my eyes futher. And I love the book by The Monks of New Skete of the 1990s. But, the two books that enlighten me the most: Patricia Gail Burnham (Playtraining Your Dog 1986) and this book Carol Lea Benjamin (Mother Knows Best: The Natural Way to Train Your Dog 1985). Natural is the key. Dog understanding /psychology is the way to have the best relation with your animal and Ms. Benjamin book sets you going in the right direction.
An example would be training a dog to STAY. In the 1960s I would yell at the dog if it moved- make it understand that if the dog moved it would not like it. Ms. Burnham and Ms. Benjamin in thier books tell us to let the dog move, let it even get to a spot it feels safe (usally between your legs if the dog is young or under a table if it is an older dog). Go get the dog and put it back in the exact spot it left the STAY potision. Say STAY again. Repeat and get firmer only if required- depends on dog. In the 1st method the dog stays in the STAY scared to move, sometime shaking, uncomfortable. In the second, the dog feels like that STAY position is the most comfortable, best spot in the world, real safe, calm. What a difference!
Buy a dog book have a better relationship with your 'best friend'.
14 people found this helpful
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Practical & Passionate Pisces ♓️
5.0 out of 5 stars Both big picture and guided practice
Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2022
Verified Purchase
I purchased this book for my daughter after it being recommended by a close friend, and found the information (both big picture and guided practice) to be presented in an easy and practical manner. I wanted to support her and know what she was reading, so I purchased the audio version for myself to follow along. An "easy" listen as I have played/listened to it twice so far!! I recommend this to anyone interested in understanding dogs, whether you decide to raise one yourself!
2 people found this helpful
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Ryan Patera
5.0 out of 5 stars good read
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2022
Verified Purchase
Explained well. Written well. Easy to follow. This is the second time I’m reading it. First time I got a dog it proved to be really helpful in training it and my dog ended up passing the canine good citizen test which is not an easy test to pass. I’m getting another puppy so decided to review it.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

jmmac03
5.0 out of 5 stars Very well written—easy read for youngsters
Reviewed in Canada on April 4, 2021
Verified Purchase
I bought this book in the 80s and just purchased it for a new puppy owner (who has never taught a dog a single command—but thinks he knows all about dogs...sigh...)
The principle is that Mother knows precisely how to keep her pups safe with just the right amount of correction.
My Border Collie learned all commands with no more than 3 repetitions so, I was through this book in less than a week but, this is good for more "distracted" Labs etc.
The whole family can get on the same page with a daily schedule set out wk by week.
Especially beautiful commands like: when to use the word "Enough" versus "NO". And "OFF" vs. "Down".
And my personal favourite: "Do your business"!
And what to do when they chew and chew your hands and leashes! Hehe.
It even has some cartoons—easy, quick read that will ensure you don't have to unlearn bad habits (THAT takes an insane amount of work by the entire family).
Cheers!
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Anne FB
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 4, 2021
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This is a gentle, lovely book which as an experienced dog owner makes absolute sense as a way of training your dog.
It could do with a reprint with new photographs, but the content is ageless.
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Gordon Wood
5.0 out of 5 stars informative
Reviewed in Canada on June 7, 2019
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great book, super read
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Steven N. Tuckerman
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 7, 2014
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very nice book
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G&T
4.0 out of 5 stars The book is great! Just a little disappointed when opening the package ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 25, 2014
Verified Purchase
The book is great! Just a little disappointed when opening the package as it was described as in good condition, but it has teeth marks where a dog had obviously had some disagreement with the training!
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