Imagine Life with a Well-Behaved Dog, A 3-Step Positive Dog Training Program
By: Julie A. Bjelland
© 3-30-2010
ISBN: 9780312598976

5 stars!
An easy read packed full of helpful content!

Solid book. I loved it! It is well organized, well outlined, well written, and packed with great content. The book has an introduction and 9 chapters as follows:

0. Introduction: About the book, me, & my dog
1. Adopting a dog
2. Preparing for a new dog
3. Step 1: Getting ready for obedience
4. Step 2: Training begins
5. Step 3: Advancing your training
6. Behavior modification
7. Special situations
8. Fun things to do with your dog
9. Conclusion: Let’s save lives together

The book includes a 3-step positive dog-training program. The author is a professional dog trainer who has impressive credentials as dog trainers go. And she has loads of experience doing what she talks about in this book. Besides being a published author on the subject, she is also the creator and owner of an online coaching service you learn about in the book. The book and the author’s Web site seem to be partners in helping wanta-be dog owners and actual dog owners become better pet owners.

It is hard to believe, but this book is a “one-size-fits-all” kind of book. Regardless of who you are, what breed of dog you have, what age of dog you have, or what activity level of dog you have, this book will help you be a better owner and your dog be better behaved. You not only learn what to do, but why you are doing it. And for me, that is the best kind of training or coaching that can be delivered.

The information contained in this book is consistent with dog training I have experienced in the past. When I was age 10 my family adopted a Hungarian Puli that was 6 months old at the time. My folks promptly enrolled my dog and me in a dog training class offered at the local YMCA. I was actually too young to enroll (age 12 was the cutoff), but an exception was made for me. My dog won the class dog show competition (final exam), and went on to compete in a dog show or two thereafter. Smokey (my puli) was my first dog. And what a joy he was.

So if you are thinking of getting a dog, or already have one that is not well behaved, then I highly recommend this book. It is an easy read packed full of helpful content. 5 stars!

PS. The author offers in the book to provide email counseling to purchasers of the book. Just a half-hour counseling session normally would cost more than the price of this book. What a deal!

-M. Twain Amazon Reviewer