[.ca] The Power of Positive Dog Training (ISBN 0764536095)

Pat Miller hits the "jackpot"!:
As a student currently enrolled in dog trainer school, I found this book most helpful. I volunteer for a local Labrador Rescue group, and have 6 Labs of my own at home. I saw a change in their responses to me as soon as I started implimenting the information in this book into my training program for my girls. There is a wealth of information and suggestions in this book, and she includes "bonus games" to keep the training fun for the dog and owner alike. My favorite is her idea of the "jackpot" when your dog FINALLY gets something right! Enjoyable and entertaining to read. Great addition to any dog owners library.

Excellent guide to positive training:
This book explains the positive training philosophy very clearly, and follows that with a most practical training guide. The people who gave it very negative reviews seem to have missed the entire point of the book. Positive training doesn't mean letting your dog dominate you (that's always a recipe for disaster). Positive training means that you control your dog without hurting it, physically or emotionally. This can be head-spinning at first for traditional trainers. But it isn't dangerous; it's non-confrontational and builds a stronger, more positive relationship with your dog. And it does work in general. My only negative is the feeling that positive training may not be so effective for problem behaviour - I would have liked to see this dealt with more extensively. We ended up resorting to some negative training to solve some specific serious problems quickly. In general though, a great book, and I recommend it very highly.

GOOD PRIMER ON POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT TRAINING FOR DOGS:
This book is an excellent introductory book on positive reinforcement training with dogs. There are a few minor inconsistencies and a couple of slightly inexact explanations of the science behind clicker training, but nothing that's going to make or break a training program. In fact, it is really hard to be exact and still speak in plain English, so that should not be a reason for the new dog trainer to avoid this book. It will get you off to a good start. This book has certainly gotten a lot of dog trainers and pet owners off on the right foot (or paw!) and out of the old methods that may work but result in a lot of unpleasant side-effects in our dog-friends' behavior. I have recommended this book and will recommend it again!

clicker emphasis:
this book was a good read for most of the time, a little slow at times, with too many stories that did not meet my direct needs. it is strong on clicker training.

Positive training for your dog:
The Power of Positive Dog Training is just that -- positive. Miller is a proponent of operant conditioning and uses clicker training methods throughout the book. She does mention that you don't HAVE to use a clicker, but that it's helpful. I am following these methods with my own 4 month old puppy and it's working like a charm. Along with Culture Clash, this is a great book for beginners in dog training.