After watching what professional dog trainers can achieve, I went in search of a reference which I could use to work with my best friend. I finally settled on the Sit Stay Fetch manual which proved to be an excellent resource and outstanding value. I will outline the material covered and methods taught in the following paragraphs.

This manual is written by a seasoned dog trainer, and covers a wide range of topics. He starts off with how to choose a puppy or dog, where to find the best selection, and background information on the different breeds available. The next sections deal with getting your house ready, house training your new pet and searching for a suitable vet. It continues with training to deal with aggression, barking, chewing and related behaviors and also health issues such as fleas, heat stroke etc. Advanced commands and tricks are next.

In addition to the contents listed above, theres also a pretty impressive section on dog whispering, which ” in case you havent heard of it already ” is a method of dog training based on a philosophy of clear communication and mutual respect. Its been popularized in recent years by Cesar Millan (The Dog Whisperer), and is becoming increasingly well-known as an alternative and humane method for disciplining and training your dog. SitStayFetch has dedicated an entire section to dog whispering: Daniel Stevens explains the background of the technique, how to utilize voice and body language to your best advantage, and how to use the technique to calmly, assertively, and effectively correct and train your dog. Step-by-set instructions are included for the common commands (sit, down, come, stay, quiet, etc).

You also get a handful of practical freebies: four bonus books, dealing respectively with advanced house training how-tos and troubleshooting (including both the crate- and paper-training methods); a detailed study on resolving canine aggression; how to effectively groom your dog (including information on coat care for specific breeds, dental care, and nail-clipping how-tos); and finally, how to begin training your dog for security work.

I have enjoyed both dogs and cats from since I was a very young lad, however this material has really helped me better understand and expand the relationship I have with my best friend. It has really helped both of us !

Several of the training techniques present a refreshingly common-sense, down-to-earth approach to dog training; others require a little more effort (take dog whispering as an example) but yield some pretty dramatic results. I liked the way that more than one training technique is detailed, to allow the reader to pick and choose the techniques that best suit themselves and their individual dogs.

For present and potential dog owners, think of this a dog owners operating manual ! There is much valuable information in this package, for example, do you know how to stop your dog from tugging on a leash, without using a check chain? Well, after reading this book, I now do. Recommended.