How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: The Classic Training Manual for Dog Owners

For nearly a quarter century, How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend has been the standard against which all other dog-training books have been measured. This new, expanded edition, with a fresh new design and new photographs throughout, preserves the best features of the original classic while bringing the book fully up-to-date. The result: the ultimate training manual for a new generation of dog owners - and, of course, for their canine best friends. The Monks of New Skete have achieved international renown as breeders of German shepherds and as outstanding trainers of dogs of all breeds. Their unique approach to canine training, developed and refined over three decades, is based on the philosophy that "understanding is the key to communication, compassion, and communion" with your dog. The importance of honest and effective communication with your dog is underscored throughout this guide, especially in the practical training exercises: a detailed, comprehensive, fully illustrated obedience course through which the monks lead you (and your dog) step-by-step. How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend covers virtually every aspect of living with and caring for your dog, including: Selecting a dog (what breed? male? female? puppy or older dog?) to fit your lifestyle Where to get - and where not to get - a dog Reading a pedigree Training your dog or puppy - when, where, and how The proper use of praise and discipline Feeding, grooming, and ensuring your dog's physical fitness Recognizing and correcting canine behavioral problems The particular challenges of raising a dog where you live - in the city, country, or suburb The proper techniques for complete care of your pet at every stage of his or her life In this new edition, How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend has been expanded to encompass the latest equipment (e.g., retractable leashes, "invisible" fences); new trends in training and care (doggy day care, professional dog walkers, etc.); and dozens of new anecdotes and case studies, drawn from the monks' own experience, that bring to life the essential training concepts. In its scope, its clarity, and its authority, How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend remains unrivaled as a basic training guide for dog owners. Like no other book, this guide can help you understand and appreciate your dog's nature as well as his or her distinct personality - and in so doing, it can significantly enrich the life you share with your dog.

“It is the most readable book on dog training for the layman that this reviewer has come across. Any person who has ever thought of owning a dog should read this engaging book from cover to cover. - LIBRARY JOURNALAn excellent course in canine care and obedience... full of sympathetic details and well-illustrated chapters. - NEWSDAYThe Monls of New Skete have turned out a book on virtually every phase of dog care, understanding and training. They have done so from a tremendous depth of affection for the animal- an affection that shows in phase after phase of the book. A fine book indeed. - WAHINGTON POST”

It is the most readable book on dog training for the layman that this reviewer has come across. Any person who has ever thought of owning a dog should read this engaging book from cover to cover. - LIBRARY JOURNAL

An excellent course in canine care and obedience... full of sympathetic details and well-illustrated chapters. - NEWSDAY

The Monls of New Skete have turned out a book on virtually every phase of dog care, understanding and training. They have done so from a tremendous depth of affection for the animal- an affection that shows in phase after phase of the book. A fine book indeed. - WAHINGTON POST

The Monks of Skete have lived as a community in Cambridge, New York for more than thirty years. They support themselves by breeding, raising and training dogs at their monastery. Their two books on dog training have sold nearly 1 million hardcover copies.

For nearly a quarter century HOW TO BE YOUR DOG'S BEST FRIEND has been the standard against which all other dog-training books have been measured. This new, expanded edition, with a fresh, new design and new photographs throughout, preserves the best features of the original classic while bringing the book fully up-to-date. The result: the ultimate training manual for a new-generation of dog owners- and of course, for their canine best friends. The Monks of New Skete have achieved international renown as breeders of German shepherds and as outstanding trainers of dogs of all breeds. Their unique approach to canine training, developed and refined over three decades, is based on the philosophy that "understanding is the key to communication, compassion and communion with your dog." This new edition covers virtually every aspect of living with and caring for your dog, and has been expanded to encompass the latest equipment and dozens of new anecdotes and case studies, drawn from the monks' own experience, that bring to life the essential training concepts. This book can significantly enrich the life you share with your dog.

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