The Plague Dogs: A Novel

"Thousands and thousands of people will love this book!"
THE BOSTON GLOBE
A lyrical, engrossing tale, by the author of WATERSHIP DOWN, Richard Adams creates a lyrical and engrossing tale, a remarkable journey into the hearts and minds of two canine heroes, Snitter and Rowf, fugitives from the horrors of an animal research center who escape into the isolation--and terror--of the wilderness.

From the Paperback edition.
Customer Review: First book I ever threw away!
The Plague Dogs: A Novel I could not stand the pain of reading this book. I know, things like this happen to our animals. After reading the ending of the book, I was so angry that I went to the wastebasket and threw the book away. I wish, the ending had been more clear.
Customer Review: Just Short of Greek Tragedy....
This book has an awful lot going for it and a couple of detractors. First, the good stuff - In the style of Classic Tragedy you see the main characters facing difficult life decisions with ethical implications all around and along the way, you the reader, begin to discover the pull of emotions that shape so many of the choices we have to make. The sense of "fate" building up a tragic climax permeates the whole stuff of the book. - This is a book about the beauty of friendship in the face of incredible odds. The dogs are "humanized" of course and hence their friendship is much more human than doggy.. but the contrast with the Tod reminds us that friendship empowers a quality of life that transcends any of the troubles that beset us all. - This book is also about humans... perhaps more than dogs... you begin to wonder if there are any noble ones around... but hang in there.. Cons - the descriptive prose begins to tire after a while. I know the landscape was beautiful but it is a bit much. - the ending is a bit weak in my thinking... the author enters into a dialog with a representative reader and then uses a literary device of inserting himself as the topic of conversation between two characters. It was a kind of narcissism which was distracting. It knocked it down from five stars in my estimation. All in all, very good book and well worth the reading. You will like it I assure you.

As dog lovers we should check out who is teaching our dogs just as a parent would check out who is teaching their children. Dogs and puppies need to be taught manners and boundary lines just as children do. A well-behaved child is a joy to be around, and so is a well-behaved dog. Now that Christmas is over and your new puppy is ready for training, here are a few tips on choosing a great dog trainer.

One note to remember about dog trainers: they are not regulated through any agency; that is why you must be very careful in your choice. A person could be a painter, carpenter or plumber one week, and a dog trainer the next. Do your research and check veterinary references.

The title certified trainer is not very meaningful unless the trainer is certified through a dog training organization which either 1) trains dogs for service work, 2) gives a credit equivalent to a college degree, or 3) is a Pet Dog Training organization like APDT or IACP. But there are also many good dog trainers that were self-taught. The best ones and those on the right track have gone on to further their knowledge by going to seminars, lectures and continuing- education classes. Find out what education a trainer has had and check education records.

There are many companies that have on-line certifications; this consists only of a short, written course; and, for a fee, they will send you a certification. But this type of certification is actually meaningless. Dog trainers must be taught by an instructor that has years of practical and behavioral experience, preferably with a reputable school or service organization that teaches dogs to provide service for impaired individuals; this enables the trainer to understand behavioral and environmental problems, as well as learning obedience training.

There are many behavior disorders that stem from medical problems. A competent dog trainer knows to rule out medical causes first, and can then distinguish between environmental problems and behavior problems, such as barking, chewing and digging. A really good trainer will have breed knowledge, in order to explain to the owner why their dog might exhibit certain behaviors that have been bred into them for hundreds of years - for example: why a Border Collie might constantly nip your children, or why a Jack Russell might seem to be digging a hole to China. This is basic breed knowledge.

Here are ten basic questions to ask when selecting a trainer:

1. Ask for their educational background: schools, names and phone numbers, so you can check records.

2. Dog trainers should have at the very least 4 veterinary references with phone numbers and locations.

3. Qualified trainers should be a member of a pet professional organization such as the Association of Pet Dog Trainers or the International Association of Canine Professionals. These are two organizations are long standing and reputable.

4. Ask if you can watch the instructor teach a class. Ask the students how they feel about the trainer. Ask if the exercises are easy to follow and what is expected from the dog each week.

5. Ask what they do to continue their education.

6. Ask if any physical punishment is used. and which type of collars they train with.

7. How many years of dog training do they have as a professional (not as a hobby trainer or sport trainer)?

8. What experience do they have with fearful dogs, rescue dogs, high anxiety, aggressive, dogs with excessive energy or those with obsessive compulsive disorders?

9. Are they strictly obedience trainers or do they have behavioral experience? The trainer should have experience in both behavioral and obedience modification.

10. What type of certification do they have? Where did they get it? Can you check the records of their certification?

Susie Aga, Atlanta Dog Trainer

Susie is a Certified Canine Behavior & Training Specialist and a member in good standing with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She has four rescue dogs and donates much of her time and services to Rescue Organizations. Susie hosts The Animal Hour Radio Show which can be heard through her site, and is Turner Brocasting's Featured Pet Expert.

Dog

The Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook: Over 100 "Tail Wagging" Recipes

When it comes to dog biscuits, there s a lot out there, but not one as concerned with your pet s health and happiness as ours! While most of the competition goes for novelty, the Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook stands alone in featuring tail-waggingly tasty 100% organic ingredients. Written by an expert who runs the Bubba Rose Biscuit Company, it contains more than 100 all-natural recipes double what most other dog cookbooks have. That s sure to appeal to owners eager to feed their dog homemade after the recent commercial pet food scare. The wholesome doggie dishes (all tried, true and taste tested) include a Luck of the Irish Wolfhound dog treat with such ingredients as oat flour and spinach leaves, and a beef-based Grillin and Chillin hot dog!
Customer Review: Great Organic Dog Treat Cookbook
I found some recipes in Bark magazine that were from The Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook. The Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook: Over 100 "Tail Wagging" Recipes My Boston pup, Boss, liked them so much that I ordered the book from Amazon.com. So far, I have tried 15 recipes. Boss' favorites are: Thatsa One Spicy Meatball, The Classic, Lil' Taste O' Pie, Muddy Paws, Red Hot Puppermints (breath), Apple Cinnamon Muttins, Ice Cubes Just Got A Lot Better, Because I Carob 'Bout You, Cheesecake Brownies, Jerky Turkey and Dragon Slayers (breath). Luckily I have a dog that will eat just about anything. I tried the Blueberry Muttins, but he wasn't too crazy about the blueberries. When I gave him the first one, he picked all the blueberries out and left them on the rug. Eventually he ate the whole thing. All treats are made with organic ingredients. The Red Hot Puppermints require beet powder, which at our organic grocery store cost over $35 a pound. The little bag I bought was over $6. They also include explanations of the benefits of some of the ingredients: natural food colorings, avoid the onions, broth vs. gravy, preparing the beef, substitutions - just do it, oils, fish for dogs, parsley packs a punch, liver - it's time to love it, benefits of molasses, benefits of barley flour, the goodness of garlic, lickin' their chops for chicken, rosemary for more than seasoning, nuts - the good, the bad and the ugly, flaxseeds, spinach - leaf & green, broccoli - it's hard to beat, carob, out of the patch and into the bowl (pumpkin), ginger, white chocolate in moderation, an apple a day, oats & oat bran, peanut butter, peppermint, apple cider vinegar, berry, berry yummy, yogurt? you bet!, zucchini's zogood, a taste of the tropics (coconut), carrots for breakfast, the "eyes" have it (pupeyes), flying treats (yams), herbs for life, grain-free flours, gobbling up turkey, home on the range (buffalo) and salmon. If this has piqued your interest, you might want to think about ordering the book. It's well worth the price. The organic ingredients can be a littly pricy, but I'm glad to know that my puppy is getting something that's not full of fillers, sugar or salt.
Customer Review: Good ideas but incorrect recipes
I was bought this book as a gift and have made 4 of the recipes so far. I like the ideas this book gives and the fact that it is all organic. It's also been great at letting me know what is good/bad for dogs. However, the one area that I think they've totally got it wrong is in putting the recipe instructions together. Of the 4 that I have made so far, only one of them was able to be made by following the recipe directly. The other 3 all had issues with quantities. When I mixed the recommended amounts for the dough I invariably ended up with a goopy mess! I ended up having to add far more flour than the recipe called for to get something that could be rolled out - as I was instructed to do. I'm a keen baker so I am not doubting my baking skills - I think the authors simply did not test their own recipes for accuracy. Also - some of the instructions on creating treats here would result in treats that would be large for a great dane - let along a normal sized dog. It's bewildering - I can't understand how this got to print with so many problems with the instructions! If you buy it be prepared to modify the recipes to make them work!

Think about it first.

1) Why do you want a dog? It may be that you have recently lost a dog to illness or old age and she has left a blank space that you need to fill. If your children are now grown up and moved away, it may be that you need a new companion, who will also ensure that you get out and take plenty of exercise.

Perhaps you would like a big dog, to help you feel more secure in your home.These factors will help you to decide what breed of dog will be most suitable and also whether it should be an adult dog or a puppy.

2) You need to decide which breed of dog will suit your situation. There is such an enormous choice among all the different breeds. Will it be a large hound or a small terrier, a German Shepherd or a Bichon Frise? Will the size of the dog and the size of your home be compatible? You may decide not to get a pure bred dog but may find the ideal companion at the local Rescue Centre. This would certainly save you a lot of money.

3) If you decide to get a rescue dog, be aware that it may come with problems from a previous unsuitable owner. On the other hand, such a dog may be so grateful for a happy, loving home that it will turn out to be the ideal companion.

Dog breeders can vary from the superb to the criminal. Some are little more than puppy farms, with unhygienic quarters and indiscriminate breeding. Refer to your local breed society to find a reputable breeder and be sure to check the pedigree of the parents and the Kennel Club registration.

4) Who will train the dog and how? Will you take your dog to training classes, or employ a professional trainer? Are there other members of the family who could share in this necessary exercise. Perhaps you can do it yourself, with the aid of one of the excellent training courses which are available online.You must be prepared to devote time and patience to training your dog, to get the very best from your relationship.

5) Who will take most responsibility for the dog's welfare? Will it all fall on you? You need to consider feeding, exercise, training and possibly grooming. Can you depend on promises of help from the kids and other members of the family, once the novelty has worn off?

If, on the other hand, you are now living alone, the trust and demands of a new dog in your life could be the very best thing to lighten your days!

6) Separation anxiety can be a big problem for a new puppy or an adult dog. He has suddenly been plunged into a new, strange environment and, in the case of a puppy, been taken away from his mother and siblings.

If the dog is then left alone in the home for long periods of the day, look out! He will be frightened and then bored and may resort to chewing and other destructive behavior, or keep up endless barking or whining, much to the annoyance of neighbors. And you may return home to a disaster zone!

7) Food. In the wild, your dog was a meat eater. Making sure that he gets a suitable diet, with all the correct nutrition is vital to his health and well-being. Just feeding him leftovers from your dinner table is not sufficient. Did you know that garlic and onions can be toxic to dogs?

Several vets and other authoritative sources have issued serious warnings that some commercial dog foods are potentially lethal, as they contain substances which are banned from human consumption. Visit the link at the bottom of this page for the full report.

8) Consider the cost of owning a dog. For a start, buying a pure bred dog with a good pedigree can be pretty expensive. He will need an initial health check with the vet and possibly you may want to have him micro-chipped. Whilst you are at the vet's, you may want to get an idea of his normal fees, which should send you looking for pet insurance.

Once you've covered all that, there is the continuing cost of food, toys, collars, leashes, training and possibly a crate or kennel.

Get the right dog and he's worth every penny!

http://allabout-dogs.co.uk covers all aspects of dog ownership, including dog training, dog breeds, dog health, dog food and dog supplies

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