Rating: 
Summary: a man and his dog(s)
Review: this book is wonderful in its honesty, humor, insight, and clarity. even if you've never owned a dog, after reading this book you'll understand how humans and dogs can transform each other through love, persistence, and trust. Katz's style is straightforward and without the sentimentality that often clouds stories about animals. He's adamant about the fact that dogs aren't humans and don't have the human attributes that are often ascribed to them, and yet the four dogs in this story clearly mean so much to the man in ways that are very human. It's a very personal account that makes you feel as if you really know the characters. I would never take on a challenge like katz has done---socializing a wild border collie---but I'm glad he did, for Devon's sake and for the sake of his readers.
Rating:
Summary: A Prerequisite for Border Collie&Australian Shepherd Owners
Review: This is a book for dog-lovers--a story of how entwined the lives of dogs and their human partners often become. In his book, Mr. Katz describes his relationship with a rescued Border Collie. The story begins with their wild introduction and takes the reader through several turning points in their lives as they grow to respect, appreciate, and ultimately learn from one another.Having raised Australian Shepherds, I found myself relating to many of the trials and tribulations that Mr. Katz describes as his Border Collie repeatedly tests his boundaries and the limits of Mr. Katz's patience. Border Collies (and Aussies), as Mr. Katz describes, are extremely intelligent and energetic animals--they can do wonders for your soul and/or drive you to insanity. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone thinking about owning a Border Collie or Australian Shepherd. Katz does an excellent job of capturing the true character of these incredible animals. In the process I hope that the reader will realize that these dogs are adorable and intelligent but definitely not for everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Still the best
Review: While I have enjoyed every one of Jon Katz's books, this is the one I return to and re-read most often, and recommend to my friends as the first Katz book to read. Katz has a 'comfortable' writing style that educates while not being preachy. While this is not a 'dog training' book per se, there is still a lot to learn from it not only about dogs but about family as well -- he does a great job of relating dogs to family (the canine as well as the human families).
What I especially like is how frank and honest the author is about some of the small mistakes he made in introducing a new dog to the family. He could have easily left these out and (like many other authors) simply tried to come across as the 'expert' on everything dog related. You've probably read books like that; they always make me feel like an idiot, with a condescending tone. Instead, Katz takes us through his learning, and as a result it provides a much more powerful set of examples. So while this not a dog training book, it does provide tremendously helpful to anyone who is getting their first dog, or who is adding a second (or third) dog to a household.
While dog lovers (especially "border collie people") will adore the book, I have recommended it to many of my non-dog owning friends, and they have thoroughly enjoyed it as well.
Highly recommended.
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