Beyond Basic Dog Training

Rating:
Summary: Harsh methods and out-dated techniques
Review: Bauman's book is very old-fashioned. Her method involves setting the dog up to fail and then punishing him for doing so, rather than setting him up to succeed and reinforcing the desired behavior. Once, methods like Bauman's were all we had -- "correction" was accepted as the only way to train a dog. But there are SO many better, more positive, more reliable, and more fun (for you and the dog) ways of training now. I see no reason why anyone would stick with this stuff when there's a better way. Not recommended.

Rating:
Summary: One of the TOP 5 training books!!
Review: First of all, the criticism about the methods in this book being outdated, or cruel, are mostly without merit. Unless you are training the rare dog who is genetically geared to perform on command (such as the toy poodle), you will find the methods in this book to be tried, true and invaluable.

Bauman stresses throughout the book that ONCE you understand how to communicate properly with your dog, you will **NOT NEED** to correct him often to get the results you want. She carefully and methodically explains the correct form to use in order to efficiently communicate your wishes to the dog. She precisely lays out the methods and tools you need to get there. And anyone who thinks you do not have to TEST your dog's training by setting him up to fail (or succeed) will be the first to have their "trained dog" dart out the door... or run out into traffic... the first time a darting squirrel, or other irresistible temptation crosses their path.

Wimps and "nice" people-- who are afraid to firmly control, train and correct their dogs and thus demand obedience from them-- are responsible for the out-of-control, knock-the kids down, run away from home, fear-bite, bark until the police come, and terrorize the household dogs that overfill the animal shelters all over the country and are euthanized by the hundred of thousands every year.

People who frown on this kind of training are the usually the same people who believe that a dog's first desire is to please you. NOT SO! Dogs and children are born to please themselves FIRST. It is only through positive reinforcement (and sometimes fear of repercussions) that the dog (and the young child) learns that it is much more satisfying and rewarding to please you FIRST. It takes time to teach your dog that when you're happy it makes life grander for him too.

I have noticed that the same people who wince at firm training methods are often the liberal, overly-indulgent parents who are "pals" with their children (if they have any) instead of being a parent, and whose kids consequently grow up to be spoiled, angry and confused.

DOGS ARE NOT DEMOCRATS. They don't understand consensus vote, or rule by the majority. Dogs are hard-wired to be members of the pack and desperately need to know where they fit in with their own "pack." Above all, they crave and hunger the security of understanding their place in your world. They can never be your true buddy until you fulfill your duty and behave like the Alpha dog you are supposed to be. ONLY then can they relax and trust you wholeheartedly. Only then can you be truly be their "buddy" and know the joy of true camaraderie with your dog for the few short years that you are blessed to share their life and have them as your soulful, loving companion on this planet.

BLEEDING HEARTS beware!! You may be offended by what superficially appears to be old-fashioned methods of training, but I'll bet dogs trained with the precision and understanding that Bauman's book offers will ultimately love you more... because they know their rightful place in the universe, and with this knowledge they will WANT to please you deep down in their beautiful doggy hearts because you have earned their trust AND respect!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Methods
Review: I have read ten zillion books on dog training and this is my very favourite. I am comfortable with most of the training techniques outlined in the book, except that a few of the corrections are too severe for my taste. For the most part, I think this is a very fair and humane approach to dog training. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Yes!
Review: The greatest thing this book gave me is and overview of the entire training process. Diane outlines training with the goal of producing a well trained dogs for advanced competition. Diane has some great comments about how dogs think, and how we as handlers sometimes scare our dog out of work he or she might otherwise be perfectly happy to do for us. She writes in nice short chapters which are easy to digest, and the book has manyexcelent photographs to illustrate the techniques described.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Methods
Review: This is an excellent book and I have achieved great results by using Diane's techniques. In just a few short training sessions with my dog I found various methods learnt through reading this book really do work and I would recommend that anyone serious about training their dog, not pandering to its whims, try training Diane's way (emphasis being on training). Anyone who can achieve just one perfect obedience trial score of 200 points is exceptional but Diane has done it many times. The success she has achieved personally speaks volumes for her ability and knowledge. I have and will continue to recommend this book to anyone seeking guidance in training their dog, whether it be for a well behaved household companion or competitive obedience trialler.

Rating:
Summary: Great Refrence
Review: This was a very good book. It sets you up to teach your dog to think about the commands you give rather than following patterns. If the exercises are followed correctly it does not set your dog up for failure as a previous review stated. Rather it makes sure that your dog understand what it is supposed to do regardless of what is going on around it. I found her methods to make a lot more sense to me than the positive only training where there are no consequnces if the dog chooses to willfully disobey. The methods described are humane and it is fairly easy to follow.

Rating:
Summary: Full of common sense and absolutely humane
Review: Too many people seize on brand-new, so-called "modern" training methods, such as clicker training, as being automatically better than "old-fashioned" methods that use both praise and correction.

This is unfortunate, because so many of the "old-fashioned" methods (not only of raising dogs, but also of raising children) work wonderfully in producing respectful, confident, happy dogs (and children!). Newfangled is not automatically better.

Diane Bauman's method is tried and true, and the dogs I've used it with have been my happiest, most confident, most respectful dogs. Which is really no surprise, since dogs understand and appreciate an owner who provides both positive consequences for good behavior, and negative consequences for bad behavior. It is precisely that clear-cut contrast between the two that allows your dog to make the right choices.

Just because you correct misbehavior doesn't mean you *aren't* using positive training techniques. This terrific book is packed with positive training techniques. You can use it with confidence -- your dog will learn happily from it.

Rating:
Summary: worthless approach for active defense reflex dogs
Review: Too many people seize on brand-new, so-called "modern" training methods, such as clicker training, as being automatically better than "old-fashioned" methods that use both praise and correction.

This is unfortunate, because so many of the "old-fashioned" methods (not only of raising dogs, but also of raising children) work wonderfully in producing respectful, confident, happy dogs (and children!). Newfangled is not automatically better.

Diane Bauman's method is tried and true, and the dogs I've used it with have been my happiest, most confident, most respectful dogs. Which is really no surprise, since dogs understand and appreciate an owner who provides both positive consequences for good behavior, and negative consequences for bad behavior. It is precisely that clear-cut contrast between the two that allows your dog to make the right choices.

Just because you correct misbehavior doesn't mean you *aren't* using positive training techniques. This terrific book is packed with positive training techniques. You can use it with confidence -- your dog will learn happily from it.