Reviews (11)

A Dog Trainer's Point of View
This book has helped hundreds of my clients understand the psychology behind the child-dog relationship and it has helped them avoid many of the common mistakes people make when dogs and kids mix. Brian and Sarah don't get into a lot of specifics on how to correct established problems, which is actually a good thing. It would take volumes of books to address exactly how each individual breed, temperament and problem should be handled. That perspective is best left to a reputable, thorough and non-violent trainer. Brian and Sarah give you good specific information on how to keep common problems from developing and some great general rules that apply to every breed of dog. None of their instruction is damaging to the child-dog relationship, which is saying a lot compared to many other authors of dog training books. Overall, this book is light, entertaining, non-clinical, and informative. I recommend it to any dog owner that has regular contact with children.

Childproofing your dog
'Good Owners Great Dogs' was one of the best dog training books I have read. When I saw 'Childproofing your Dog' I knew it would be just as good. It is a simple, easy to understand book. Basic common sense as far as children & dogs are concerned. I haven't found any other books available that cover this topic. We are expecting our first child in October and from what the authors have written we seem to be on the right track so far with our dog. A must-read, not only for people with dogs who haven't had children yet, but for people who don't own dogs.

Excellent Baby Shower Gift!!!
"Childproofing Your Dog" and GreatPets.com are 2 resources I routinely tell my dog training clients about when they have children or are expecting to have children. This clear, easy, and informative book covers many of the issues people think about when they are considering having a dog and children around each other, and raises some issues many haven't even thought of yet. "Childproofing Your Dog" is worth far more than the sticker price.

childproofing your dog
A very concise book on the topic. I found this book to be intelligent, useful and sensible. It may lean a little more towards the owner who has experience obedience training a dog, but I found it helpful since I do have experience obedience training & prefer not to get extraneous training advice. I highly recommend the book.

Helpful for anybody responsible for a dog OR a child.
A quick, interesting read, full of pertinent information & tips for anybody whose dog might ever come into contact with a child, AND for anybody whose child might ever come into contact with a dog (see the "Dogproofing Your Child" chapter.) ... Read more

Book Description

Dogs occupy a special position in human society. They were probably the first animal species to become domesticated, but their relationship with humans has always been ambivalent. Dogs form strong attachments to humans, even in the face of rejection and punishment, voluntarily allying themselves to us as faithful companions, uncomplaining child-substitutes, enduring workers, and excellent hunters and guards. Yet they are also reviled as vicious killers, unclean scavengers and outcasts. In this book, the many facets of dog behavior are set in the context of the dog's place in our society.Based on firm scientific research, the book dispells many myths and stereotypes about our canine friends, and it will be the definitive reference work on dog behavior for many years to come. Dog-lovers with an interest in understanding how and why dogs behave as they do will find this fascinating reading. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Excellent information painfully presented
If your memories of college give you migraines, the pain will return in reading these articles. The information is wonderful, but can be found in more enjoyable books. If, on the other hand, you enjoy reading professional journals, you will feel right at home with the jargon and format, and may find it worthwhile to have leading thoughts on domestication, genetics, and behavior all in one place.

A Serious Must for Serious Dog People
First published in 1995, nothing else as comprehensive and as carefully researched on canine behavior and development has been published. For the general reader, the writing style may be a bit dry; however, because each chapter has different authors, the writing style, while basically academic and fact driven, varies.

Any serious dog breeders, trainers, or owners will find themselves returning to certain chapters over and over again. Breeders and even new puppy owners would benefit from the chapter by Serpell and Jagoe on "Early experience and the development of behaviour," which updates the standard beliefs about puppy development resulting from the Bar Harbor experiments of over 50 years ago.

Excellent book!

The Domestic Dog, James Serpell (Ed.)
For those people hungry for scientific literature on dogs and curious about what other references there are on particular dog topics, this is a must read/must have text; almost every chapter serves as a review of the scientific literature on that topic. Those who don't care for reading anything drier than James Herriot's "All Creatures Great & Small" should avoid it.

The book is probably used as a text for graduate students and upper division majors in ethology, comparative psychology, zoology, etc. It was published in 1995 so most of the information is fairly current. The book is in its 5th printing so some professors must share my judgment of it. Let's hope that by 2005 there's a revised edition including and evaluating recent work.

It has 17 chapters written (or co-written) by 21 specialists in their fields -- British, American, Italian -- (after an introduction) divided into 3 major divisions: I. Domestication & evolution (2 chapters) ; II. Behaviour & behaviour problems (8 ch.s); III. Human-dog interactions (6 ch.s). The chapters provide an excellent summary and the key references to the area discussed. A few chapters have a definite British flavor but American readers will be able to transpose when needed.

Dog breeders (& many owners) may be especially interested in the chapters dealing with what's known about heritability of traits, temperament, etc., as well as the role of early experience on later behaviors, disorders, etc.

A few chapters are filled with research results in tables and graphs. One is dense with specialist jargon. But all are readable if you're interested in learning what the applicable sciences know and do not know about the dog. All chapters have information I found important and to some, I'll refer back to many times.

Academic, researched, impartial book on dogs.
Does it seem that retail book stores stock dog books that appear opinion-based and poorly referenced or researched? The early chapters of The Domestic Dog concerning evolution may be a little bit factual and historically oriented (read: a tad dry) but presents an excellent understanding of how dogs came into contact with humans and the resulting reliance and interations. The book, in part, looks at areas of canus familiarus and human interaction from both a biological, survival necessity to what kind of kennel should be considered based on breed selection. There are many discussions on topics not normally covered in commercial or general appeal dog books that will compliment, inform and provide insight into otherwise unknown or insufficiently covered areas about dogs. Areas of new information include (but is not limited to): pack hierarchy, dog development and growth, dog psychology and others. It is one dog book I can rely on for its research, reference material and impartial analyses into breed types. It has helped me learn more about dogs than previously possible in other purported books based on fact. I do believe that one must be more interested in dogs than just a casual manner (i.e.: one must really want to get into the nuts and bolts) to enjoy and finish this book.

Excellent book, suitable for both researcher and dog lover
This book is packed with easily understandable, concise information. Whether you are a behaviorist or simply a dog lover, this is a must have. ... Read more

Book Description

More than a half-century ago the Canadian Wildlife Service assigned the naturalist Farley Mowat to investigate why wolves were killing arctic caribou. Mowat's account of the summer he lived in the frozen tundra alone-studying the wolf population and developing a deep affection for the wolves (who were of no threat to caribou or man) and for a friendly Inuit tribe known as the Ihalmiut ("People of the Deer")-is a work that has become cherished by generations of readers, an indelible record of the myths and magic of wild wolves. ... Read more

Reviews (51)

A surprisingly great book
The first time I saw,Never Cry Wolf, I thought I would not enjoy reading it. First, because it was an assigned literary book to read: secondly, it was not a book I would normally select to read. However, I was pleasantly surprised with this book, and thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Farley Mowat, the author, has an incredible vocabulary that he uses to tell the story. But, while he may use some scientific or big words it doesn't distract the reader too much. In his writing, Mowat has a lovable quality, sarcasm. This trait makes the book fun to read and easily relatable to real life and people.

Mowat takes the reader to the world of the Arctic Wolves in the Canadian wilderness. The narrator, a biologist, is sent by the government to explore the life of the wolf, and, more specifically, to find out more information on how the wolf is interacting with the other species of life. What the narrator learns through his study changes his views on the wolf and on the world. He realizes that things aren't always as they seem, and facts are not always simple to understand.

Wolf Juice
I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and kept the reader thinking. I was continually wondering how many other things we, as a society, might have misconceptions about. I loved the style of writing. I could have read the book in one setting. It was funny, egotistical yet humble, and kept me enthralled. After reading Farley Mowat's story, I was ready to head out and live on the Alaskan tundra with wolves and eskimos. Who doesn't need a break from the world once in a while? Luckily, I was able to mentally visit the wolves and enjoy the comfort of my recliner at the same time. It was like Discovery Channel, only the narrator was hilarious. Great book!!!!

wonderful book
All of Farley Mowat`s books are great.You will enjoy them if you are a nature or wildlife lover.

Is it real?
While I can't speak to the veracity of the facts involved, I can say with certainty that I loved this story of a man in the wilderness making friends with a wolf pack. He lovingly dedicates the book to one of his wolf friends.

Mowat goes alone into the Alaskan wilderness to study the wild wolves, who are being exterminated because of a belief that they are eating livestock. Mowat tries as well as humanly possible to live as he sees the wolves living. He drinks gallons of tea so he can pee around his camp to mark his territory. He eats rodents to see if he gets his full complement of dietary needs. He takes "wolf naps" so that he can watch them interact with one another during all hours. He even notes baby-sitting habits.

Unusually, the movie that was made from this book keeps to the story pretty accurately. I would recommend that, also.

Not Just for Naturalists
For me this book was a real page-turner. Mowat's writing has an exquisite simplicity to it. His entire experiences in the Arctic with wolves is facinating. I must admit that I did find some of the events unbelievable, but that could just be due to my preconceptions about wolves in general (the very types he is trying to dispel). However, for me, these unbelievable moments did not detract from the narrative in any way; I still found myself wanting to know what happened next. In my own mind while reading the book, I couldn't help but consider how our negative stereotypes of wolves are very similar to the negative stereotypes people often feel about other groups of people. In both cases, when one begins to truly know the other, he finds that there is really no basis for the negative sterotype. Mowat makes it point not to rely on anecdotal evidence when studying the wolf, and instead only gives merit to the anecdotal evidence after he has observed behavior that would back it up. It would seem that this should apply when judging people as well.

The only improvement I think could be made to this book is for Mowat to include whatever became of his report. I realize he is telling the story to reveal his own experiences with the Arctic Wolves, and not to reveal the post report offical government position; but it woud have been nice to have that included anyway.

Overall, I think this is a great book, and well worth the few hours it takes to read it. ... Read more

Book Description

Updated and expanded, the new 6th edition of this popular text remains the only encyclopedic resource for veterinary internal medical problems! This internationally acclaimed "gold standard" offers unparalleled coverage of pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting dogs and cats. Focusing on the clinical manifestations of disease and approaching disease in terms of the organ system involved, this comprehensive resource presents the latest information on specialties ranging from oncology, immunology, and reproductive problems, to skeletal and joint disorders, gastroenterology, and more. This new edition also includes a companion CD-ROM with references and weblinks, and is available in an e-dition package that includes the complete text with full search capabilities, frequent updates, animations and other color graphics, client information handouts, a "case-of-the-month" feature, and links to relevant websites for further information. * It's the only complete reference for veterinary internal medical problems. * Unparalleled coverage is provided on pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting dogs and cats. * The first part of the book is devoted to clinical manifestations or clinical signs of disease, because animals should be evaluated in terms of presenting sign, not on the basis of disease. * The most common signs have been chosen, presented, and discussed in a concise and logical manner, starting with the physical examination and covering system-based signs and symptoms. * Algorithms present the reader with a ready flowchart for aid in the identification and decision-making of each disease anticipated in small animal medicine. * The second part of the book adopts the usual approach to disease as understood in terms of the organ system involved. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Professional standard
Used in most veterinary schools in the world. Translated into 5 languages and generally considered the most complete general veterinary internal medicine textbook. First section is very easy to read approach to clinical medicine.

Rambling Text, No Meat
Reading this book is like running in sand - much effort is expended with little progress. Generalizations and qualitative rather than quantitative facts abound. A chapter on crusting and scaling dermatoses provides vague descriptions and procedures; if you didn't know how to interpret a skin scraping or impression smear before you read this chapter you wouldn't know after reading it either. The chapters on rickettsial disease do not include the most quantitative and pivotal clinical and experimental references. Canine Rocky Mountan spotted fever for example is a fascinating, unique syndrome, but this text provides neither a clear clinical description nor an explanation of the pathophysiologic basis of this infection. The book greatly underestimates the knowledge and skill level of the graduate veterinarian.

A little review from PERU
The book its a good review about the most common diseases found in dogs and cats. Its well writen and have enough tables and flow charts to sumarize the most important diferential diagnoses, drug doses, etc. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Reviews (3)

A must read for those who follow the Yellowstone wolves
No one is more qualified to write about the Yellowstone wolves than the wolf project leader of the Park for the last 8 years, Dr. Douglas Smith. Gary Ferguson is a very accomplished writer about western wilderness and wildlife issues. I read almost every one of his books in one sitting.

The book is a series of stories about individual wolves, packs, plus well known and lesser known events in the Park's wolf recovery. Chapters also explain concepts of wolf biology, and the effects wolves are having on America's first national park.

Those people who go to Yellowstone to watch wolves or follow these events will want to snap this book up.

Others interested in wildlife will find it less compelling, but still a useful and good read.

The book is a fitting story of ten years of wolf recovery in Yellowstone Park. Still to be told is the history of wolf recovery in areas outside the Park, especially in Idaho where the number of wolves outnumber those of the Park almost three to one.

Readers will enjoy a number of photographs of wolves and wolf interactions with other animals in the photo insert in the middle of the book. Many of these, such as those in the Park's remote Pelican Valley, could only be taken by the Park's wolf biologists.

Decade of the Whitewashers
I went to the bookstore recently to see what the deal was about the book. After being tipped by various sources about promotions of this book and seeing it advertised in some circles, I went to take a peek.

I was shocked by the book. Like many books, it credits the murderer Ed Bangs for helping with comments for the book.

It gets worse. As I flipped through the book, the author apparently decided to ignore the fact that the three scientists Ed Bangs, Mike Jimenez, and Carter Niemeyer, have all become murderers of wolves. They kill on average about a hundred a year. Though the numbers always vary with depredation issues.

In this book they are portrayed as heroes. The book as well as the authors clearly forget an important point. What one starts as, doesn't necessarily show what they are after a certain amount of time or at the end of a task.

In this case, all these scientists have slaughtered packs, brutally and unjustly throughout the years since the Yellowstone reintroduction in their various positions in the U.S.

Once they cared about wolves, but now all they care is about ignoring sound science and non lethal methods that prevent cattle depredations. They also ignore peaceful co-existence between people and wolves, placing bullets as the guise of reintroduction.

The book also forgets to mention the fact that the wolves in Yellowstone are an experiment, a tool for management. Which begs the question, in the words of Eva-Lena Rehnmark, is a managed wolf a wild wolf?

This book isn't objective, or really factual, as a result. It clearly is biased. And being praised by David Mech, who clearly supports culling of wolves and gutting protections on wolves by reducing their status of Endangered to Threatened under the Endangered Species Act (since he too thinks that they are recovered), shows that this book isn't as much as factual as catering to interests that want to make the wolves suffer more than ever.

Do a simple google search and you will see the horrors that they have caused since this reintroduction. Even my non-profit site proves it.

As a result, there are more accurate books on wolves that are more worthy of reading.

Vicious by Jon Coleman, Neither God Nor Devil by Eva-Lena Rehnmark, Of Wolves and Men by Barry Lopez

These are just to name a few.

~Mike Wagner Freelance Wolf Activist http://www.heartofthewolf.org

The Story of Ten Years of Success
The reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone park has been one of the most controversial feats of conservation of all time.

In this book, the project manager who supervised this effort tells the story of the release and the ten years of history that have followed. He had an interesting task of making the project work with the Farm Bureau on one side of the battle, and the Sierra Club on the other. Then there are the well meaning tourists, and the poachers.

In spite of it all, the reintroduction has prospered. the wolves have survived and in so doing changed the ecosystem of the park. In so doing, much more has been learned about the wolf behavior. The individual packs have been carefully studied, the pack dynamic, the survival of cubs in the wilderness, all have taught scientists more about wolf behavior.

The stories are not uniformly plesant, the pack has survived, but not all members. There's the story, for instance, of a mother chasing an elk and running into a stick that pierced her chest and killed her. No one else would take over her pups and they died.

This is a fascinating story of a decade of conservation. ... Read more

Book Description

This is destined to be the classic work on training the Labrador retriever as an all-around hunting dog. Noted breeder and trainer Mike Gould takes us from the very beginning-selecting a puppy for athleticism, "birdyness," conformation, intelligence, and personality-to the end result, a top-flight, do-anything, go-anywhere Labrador shooting dog. Mike teaches his special techniques of using love, solid obedience and faithful attention to detail to build-brick by brick-a powerful, poised and confident gun dog that can handle any challenge, from quail, grouse and dove to geese, ducks, and even wild turkeys-yes, wild turkeys. Mike talks about the factors that other trainers overlook: habitat, terrain, scenting conditions, conformation, and most of all, birds. The book includes a stunning 16-page color section featuring the famous Grand River gun dogs, with photos by K.D. McGraw and Gary Hubbell. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Good, but side tracks some!
I think Mike Gould hits the mark training dog's with out shock collars or harsh discipline. His approach is easy to follow and very informative. His concept of building layers is true to life as well as training gun dog's. The only thing I see wrong with this book is that Mike tells a few to many stories and side tracks during a few training issues. All around this is a pretty solid book that I would recommend to any one who wants to train a hunting dog!

The best gun dog training book ever
This book is brilliant. It takes you all the way from your new puppy to an happy active shooting dog. The training program explained in this book I've seen in person. IT WORKS. Mike is the most brilliant person I've ever met around dogs and with people he's genuine and sincere. I encourage everyone to read this book and take in as much of this progam as possible.

Great book!
Mike's book is a great read. Not only are his methods of training respectful of the dog, but his stories and discussions of the natural world teach us respect of the earth.

Confidence is a two way street.
I felt that Mike Gould's book was a positive move away from the majority of the other training books I have read on the subject. The author makes a point to establish confidence in your dog while at the same time building the dog's confidence in you. After reading this book, I realized that I was asking the dog for too much control and I was teaching the dog to act against its god given insticts. I wish I had read this book earlier in my dog's training, but I still found it very useful for an already started dog. I use my dog as both a waterfowler retriever and as an upland flushing dog and I felt Mr. Gould did an excellent job in training for the all-around hunting dog.

You, your dog, and freedom...
This book is sometimes a little disturbing to those dog enthusiasts who insist on having constant control over their dogs. You know the type...the guys who are constantly tootling on a whistle to get their dogs to quarter 25 yards away from them. Those are the same guys who strap a shock collar on their dogs before they even let them out of the kennel. Mike's training methods are difficult for those fellows to understand. For them, a perfect day is to flush and kill every bird that they see. After all, with their insistence on total control, they may only see three or four birds in a day.

Mike sees it in a totally different way. For him, the perfect day is to flush 40 or 50 birds, pass up shots on a dozen or more, and put two or three in the bag. He will often let his dogs range as far as 300 or 400 yards away, and yes, he gets plenty of shooting. He loves dogs and he loves nature. He would much rather form a team with his dog so that the two of them work in concert with one another, with rarely a word spoken or a whistle blown...and certainly not a knock-down, drag-out battle with the handler screaming at the dog and jolting the hell out of an unwilling dog with a shock collar. Not that Mike lets his dogs run wild. Far from it. His obedience techniques are without peer.

If it sounds like fun to you to spend a lot of time with your best friend--your dog--and do it in peace and quiet, then this is the book for you. Just be willing to open your mind and try Mike's revolutionary training techniques. It's a lot of fun. ... Read more

Book Description

This book walks you through your dog's mind and explains step-by-step how dogs perceive our commands and respond to them.This book is guaranteed to improve your training skills and strengthen your bond with your canine friend. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A must-read for serious obedience competitors!
This is a must-read for trainers who want to show their dogs in competition. While Janet focuses on obedience competition, any serious competitor will enjoy this book. Janet does an excellent (and often humorous) job of explaining how to use food in training, bypassing the usual pitfalls. This is the best that I have seen on the subject.

She also decodes for the term-impaired, jargon such as "negative reinforcement," "punishment," "conditioned reinforcer," and "classical conditioning." There were many real-life examples given that made these terms come alive.

I especially liked the chapter on the "ring-wise" dog. The illustrations were well done, too.

If you want to show your dog competitively in obedience, tracking, agility, or freestyle, you will get sound training theory from Janet Lewis! ... Read more

Book Description

For centuries wolves have haunted the human imagination. It has been accepted as conventional wisdom that they are savage predators, creatures of nightmare. Determined to overcome such misconceptions, Jim and Jamie Dutcher spent six years in a tented camp on the edge of the Idaho wilderness, living with and filming a pack of wolves. Now, in this breathtaking and lyrical memoir, the Dutchers share their experiences of life among these wondrous animals.

Wolves are so intelligent and elusive that theyalter their behavior when closely observed by humans. By socializing with the pack from the time they were pups, the Dutchers were able to gain the wolves' trust and observe their behavior in a way that few people ever have. What they witnessed was remarkable: a complex nature oriented toward family life, antic play, and strong social bonds.

Yet Wolves at Our Door is much more than a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a wildlife documentary, more than an exploration of animal behavior. It is the story of two people, brought together by their devotion to wildlife and held together by their belief in each other. It is about their struggle to keep the project alive amid marauding mountain lions, forest fires, subzero temperatures -- and the never-ending storm of controversy that surrounds the wolf.

The narrative ranges from humorous to heartbreaking and reveals some of the surprising intricacies of wolf behavior. By introducing us to the unforgettable Sawtooth Pack, Wolves at Our Door provides a window into the lives of these astonishing creatures and a fresh look at ourselves. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

J. Linscott, nature lover
This book is a wonderful view on the lives inside a wild wolf pack. Even though the Dutchers raised all but two of the original pack from 10 day old pups, the wolves still behave as they would in the wild with the exception of allowing humans to glimpse their lives. These wolves were kept in an enclosed area near the Sawthooth Mountains for six years otherwise this book and the film by the same title would not have been possible if these were wolves born in the wild their fear of humans would never have given us the glimpse of compassion, love and loyalty that is the wolf. As you read this book you will come to understand that wolves are not born killers. Please read this book for the sake of the wolf and the wilderness they represent, it may help in restoring them to the wild, for knowledge and understanding go hand in hand with preservation.

Excellent! A must read!
A value cannot be put on the information gained by Jim and Jamie Dutcher during the Sawtooth Project. This story exposes the reader to an animal that, until recently, little was known about. This book dispells myths and presents the wolf in a whole new, positive light. The observations made by Jim and Jamie Dutcher regarding the pack's behavior, as a whole and individually, are priceless. This book reveals the complexity and unbelievable intelligence of these magnificent animals.

To those who have criticized the Dutchers for "abandoning" the pack after the project was over, allow me to point out that although captive, these wolves were and are WILD ANIMALS. They are not pets and were never treated that way. The Dutchers did not abandon the animals, but left them in the captive care of the Nez Perce tribe, on enclosed land similar in size and backdrop of the Sawtooth enclosure. Jim Dutcher made it a priority in the beginning to make sure the pack had a safe place to go after the project ended. Because of his effort, the Sawtooth pack will never have to worry about hunters and will always have human caretakers. They have it much better than most captive wild animals. So quiet your critism, or at least devote it to something worth criticizing, like the people who keep wild animals captive as pets!

The Sawtooth Project has had a huge impact in changing the public's minds about wolves. We owe Jim and Jamie Dutcher a deep debt of gratitude for that.

Shame
A well written story but what a shame the pack were not cared for for by the Dutchers for the rest of the wolves natural lives. Captive packs can not lead the truly wild lifestyle they were intended to lead. And to abandon them to the care of others after finishing the documentary showed just how man can use an animal for his own financial gain them walk away from them. At the very least this couple should have committed their lives to a pack they formed for personal financial gain. A good well written story but the last chapters are heartbreaking and show man at his worst.

Opened a new page in my life
This... This book is beyond my dictionary of words, but I'll try to describe it as best I can.

First of all, I am a great fan of wolves, and I was introduced by seeing the end of a nameless movie I believe was "Wolves at our Door". My best friend bought me the book for my birthday, and I read a chapter here, and a chapter there, busy with school. As I began to progress, I got more and more into the book.

This book showed, from what I believe the true personality of a wolf, even though they were raised with human hands. Instinct took over, and Jim and Jamie didn't try or succeed in domesticating the wolves. This book showed the connection between wolves and humans that was broken once humans decided to classify wolves as inferior and not equals.

My heart was ripped out of my chest when I learned how the wolves were treated once Jim and Jamie could no longer care for the wolves. (Stupid permits!!) The two did the best they could to supply a pair of good new caretakers, slowly introducing them. But since the company sponsering the wolves was too busy with their finances, the wolves were abandoned 5 weeks at a time and volunteers fed them from over the fence. Jim and Jamie could do nothing about it, as they no longer were legal workers on the project and lived too far away.

Hope, is restored as in a fresh wolf paw print is seen in mud where the old pack used to dwell, renewing hope that the wolf has not yet diappeared yet.

A Marvellous Read
Hey everyone,

I started and read straight through to the end. Couldn't put it down. Simply and movingly written, staggering in its insights, awesome in its implications, touching in its story and - finally-heartbreaking in its conclusion. Some people may slam the Dutchers for seemingly abandoning the wolves, but I didn't have the heart. After reading this story, I sat down and thought about how often humans truly wreck their own endeavors. Draw your own opinions on the project, but the one lesson that should have been taught, judging from the reviews before this one, was clearly missed - again. Unity and the blessing of forgiveness should be our ultimate goal; without it we will forever batter ourselves to pieces in our own judgement of things.
Truly a beautiful piece of work and it snags my highest recommendation. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

Wolf Bible
If David L Mech's original book "the Wolf"(1970) has been known by wolf students and admirers as the 'Bible', then this new text must be known as the new testament. With contributions by the cream of the wolf biology world, including familiar names, Fred H Harrington, Rolf O Peterson, Ronald M Nowak, Ludwig N Carbyn, Douglas W Smith, Michael K Phillips and Steven H Fritts to name a few, Dr Mech (the Wolfman) and his European counterpart Luigi Boitani have put together 344 pages (plus 104 pages of index and references) of superbly researched material about Canis Lupus, the most misunderstood creature on the planet earth.

This detailed text is supplimented with numerous graphs, line drawings and photographs. But be aware, this is not a pretty picture book for your coffee table, the photographs here are included to Illustrate the behaviour and life cycle of a complex, social, carnivorous predator, whose brutal environment is matched only by their sometimes brutal survival behaviour.

Dr's Mech and Boitani must be applauded for the presentation of their material in a very readable style, scientific but not so complicated that the average reader or wolf enthusiast cannot make sense of the information provided. Yet for a wolf biology student the inclusion of the graphs and scientific data makes this a priceless piece of work, with numerous references to other available field data.

Until Dr David L Mech writes his next Wolf book (which is always an event in itself) THIS is the only book on wolves that anyone needs in their collection. Support David L Mech, support Wolf research, buy this book.

A Must Have For Wolf Lovers
This is probably the most detailed book on wolves out there. Very research and scientifically based, and also mentions areas where more research is needed, which is excellent for university students like me, wanting to know which area of research they can focus their studies on. Anybody who loves wolves and wants to really know pretty much all there is to know about them would love this book.

Great Book, Great Research
This is the Book of all Wolf Books, it has alot of research data, this book is a must for all wolf lovers or it is excellent for people like me studying Wolves ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Textbook of Canine and Feline Cardiology
Interesting to canine and feline cardiology clinic method and trying manufacturing its concern parts and accessories. I want to buying this book ASAP. Please send more detail information to me. Regards. Kee Il, Kand-President HANOX Medical Corp. ... Read more

Book Description

The only guide to New York City’s dog runsyou and your dog will ever need. With stunning photographs, Unleashed offers the inside story on the active canine world that meets in dog runs all over New York City. Dog owners will find the bounty of information here endlessly useful and easy to access. Divided into five sections—one for each borough—each dog run is closely described: its size, location, amenities, lighting, and hours, are catalogued while a "four-paw" system rates the overall quality. Photos of the area, easy to follow maps and, of course, Frances R. Sheridan’s beautiful full-page photographs of dogs in their element capture the distinctive flavor of each run’s atmosphere and its canine patrons. The book includes brief texts bya veterinarian, an animal behaviorist, and the NYC Commissioner of the Department of Parks and Recreations, and even a section on how to start your own run. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Really practical
This book was poorly written and I WOULD NOT recomend this book to anyone who wants to seriously go into scent dog training. This book is very vague in detail. This book was not very well organized. I think that this author does not know what she is actually writing about. I think of her not qualified to write about scenting

Recommended for anyone with an interest in "how things work"
This book covers all of the basics of tracking and air-scenting (search and rescue). It is very practical, readable and well laid out. You can use its exercises for teaching your toy poodle to find your lost keys, to prepare for the AKC Tracking Dog tests, or to begin SAR training.
Even if you do not have a dog, Practical Scent Dog Training is fascinating reading. There are clear explanations of how scent is deposited (I always wondered) and diagrams showing how it is effected by environmental conditions. I had no idea that dogs were capable of doing some of the things that this book details!

Possibly the best general book on training dogs to scent.
This is an excellent book. It's a step by step practical training guide for air scent, evidence search, disaster search, and tracking tests. You can start with very young puppies. Not only that, but many of the training methods outlined can be used just for fun, even if you're not in search and rescue. I recommend this book to everyone interested in seeing their dogs use their noses, whether they are interested in actually doing search and rescue, just want to know a little more about SAR, or want to play around with the concepts. ... Read more

Book Description

From the tremendously successful "Just Pets" series, abridged and condensed to an appealing 7 x 5 5/8 inch format.The books in our "Half Pint" series have all the charm and appeal of their bigger cousins.96 pages and 100 color photographs. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Perfect Photo and Story Book For Labrador People!
For someone like me who has spent countless hours, days and weeks in the company of four or more Labrador Retrievers, this book is a hoot. It takes light-hearted look at Labradors, sharing a bounty of beautiful photographs of man's best friends with us, and looking at the personality traits and character qualities that make them the single most popular breed in America today. Labs are among the most social of canines, yet they are remarkably calm and pacific once they know you. Which isn't to deny the fact that they are very active and energetic, and that anyone who lives with one needs to ensure the dog and he or she spend sopme time outside in vigorous play every day. But as the author tells us, we love labradors because they seem to represent the best and most admirable qualities we happen to admire.

Labradors are amazingly loyal, and are quite keyed into your emotional state and sense of well-being. As a person who sometimes suffers from migraines, I can attest that the dogs seem to reconize my symptoms and key their own behavior from this perception of the way I am feeling, being much more willing to simply take a nap with me than usual, since they seem to understand from past experience that the migraine will dirve me back to bed. They show many endearing and remarkable traits, and we find ourselves amazed by just how intelligent, perceptive, and attractive they are as a species.

Labradors also live almost exclusively in the moment, and are ethusiastic and energetic in their pursuit of fun and frolic. Anyone living in their company can attest to the fact that you are never at a loss for entertainment when your Labrador friend is around, and he or she are happy to just be with you, and are almost oo willing and too anxious to show you just how excited they are to have you around. Coming home after a long day's work means a kidn of instant celebration, with four Labradors jumping, barking, and wall-banging, so glad are they to have me back home with them. Find a human who is that glad to see you, and you have found true love, my friend. Yet it is all here in spades with the Labradors, and this entertaining little book will seerve to amuse you, educate you, and sometimes surprise you with its nuggets of information, parcels of knowledge, and bits of wisdom about just why it is that Labradors rule the roost around my house! Enjoy!

Dog photos...
Ask any photography instructor, and he will say, "I don't want to see any puppy and kitty pictures!" How wrong they are. Dale does a great job of presenting the working Lab in everyday situations, from the field trial to the duck blind and the upland field, and he does it with a great sense of humor.

This book, however, is not a training manual. If you're wondering how to train Labs to do what Dale shows them doing, check out Mike Gould's "The Labrador Shooting Dog". Another great look at working Labs is Paul and Julie Knutsons' "The Pointing Labrador." Both books have great photographs of Labs in action, by the way, and the training techniques to back them up.

... hmmm ...
I was very much taken by the cover shot when I first saw this book on Amazon, the reviews too, seemed rather encouraging ... when the book arrived, I was expecting the rest of the photographs to be of similar or better quality ... am a little disappointed.

If this is an instructional book on how to raise or train Labradors, quality of photographs would not be so critical ... but its a pictorial book, and for some reason, quite a few of the photographs are missing that little extra ingredient which makes for really good photography ... perhaps if the photos had been more tightly edited, it might have made a difference ... At US$35 the book is not inexpensive, and there are better alternatives around ... just do a quick search, under photography and Labradors.

A perfect gift for the lab-lover, and a treasure in our
collection. The book is full of great photos paying equal homage to the "field" vs. "English" labs, and does not disciminate over color. His photography skills capture the personalities of the breed, and the depth of the relationships between dog and handler. The captions are perfect, and some will bring a tear to the eye of even the most stoic of us all.

The book is slanted toward field work, domestic life and hunting activities, rather than conformance or obedience work. My husband loved this as a gift, and he is nearly impossible to buy for. All in all, though, it is a beautiful tribute to this remarkable breed.

Just for your Enjoyment
Just Labs is a book of few words an magnificent photography. This is not a book that will tell you how to raise your dog, or what kind of food to feed it, or what dog won best of show 10 years ago. It will amuse you and is guaranteed to sit on your desk at work, your coffee table, or your nightstand as a book that will make you smile. It is very easy to read and quite humorous. One section reads:

"Someone once said that it's possible to train a Lab by treating him like a three-year old child; if so then it's no wonder Labs and kids are so inseparable. Imagine a guardian who never sleeps, one with the eyes and ears to rival the best security system ever devised, one that knows roads are bad things and will steer your youngster away from them. At the same time, they realize that a short little kid with an ice-cream cone is like a gift from God."

If you want a fun book to just make you smile, this book is for you. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Explore the Wolf-Moose dynamic on Isle Royale
If you've been to Isle Royale and want to know more about the wolves, then I highly recommend this book. Most visitors to Isle Royale hope to see a wolf, and most visitors leave the island disappointed. Isle Royale is the closest thing to a closed system to study a predator-prey relationship, and is the site of one of the longest running field studies. The book has some good stories about conducting research on Isle Royale, including the winter study when the research team are the only people in the park. It also provides some insight into how theories about the wolf-moose relationship are still evolving after years of research. It also discusses the challenges the researchers faced when the wolf population took a nosedive in the late 1980's, and ponders the question of what should be done if the wolves die out on IR. This book is several years old now, so if you're interested in more recent data, contact the IR Natural History Association [URL] to get the latest report.

Of wolves and moose ... and more
I've been interested in the moose and wolves of Isle Royale since visiting the island in the early 1990s. While I spotted plenty of moose (swimming in the lakes, jumping out of the bushes in front of us on the trail, etc.), the wolves remained hidden--a mystery.

Fortunately, Rolf Peterson writes brilliantly of the side of Isle Royale that many of us will never glimpse. Peterson's work switches easily between the science and the 'experience' of studying wolves in a remote setting. The book is chock full of interesting anectodes collected from Peterson's many seasons studying the island's flora and fauna. From landing a bush plane in a white-out to dragging moose carcasses through the woods, Peterson gives us an interesting look at the what being a field scientist might be like.

It's important to note that this book is not just about wolves. Indeed, so many environmental factors shape life on Isle Royale outside of its 'headlining' mammals (moose and wolves): from beaver to fox, from spruce to elder. Peterson does a great job of explaining how the changing environment (some human-induced, some not) has impacted the island's populations.

The book also has some excellent photographs, which illustrate not only the science, but also the beauty that is Isle Royale! Highly recommended.

It will have you wanting to read more,you can't put it down.
This book has every thing drama humor and just about trying to save a beautifal anamal.the author is a respected man of science and with that you get brilant writing and great photos of the wonderful canis lupis (wolf).So If you are a wolf person like me or just someone looking for a good read it's all in this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Three Among the Wolves is a highly readable true-life adventure tale combined with a fascinating natural history of the wolf. Helen and Bill Thayer, accompanied by their part-wolf, mostly Husky dog, Charlie, set out on foot to live among wild wolf packs - first in the Canadian Yukon and then in the Arctic. They eventually set up camp within 100 feet of a wolf den, and are greeted with apprehension at first. They establish trust over time, because the wolves accept Charlie as the alpha male of the newly arrived "pack." The Thayers discover the complexities of wolf family structure, including how pups are reared and how the injured are tenderly cared for. They view the intricacies of the hunt firsthand - how ravens direct wolves to prey in exchange for carrion - as well as the wolves' finely honed survival skills and engaging playfulness. Readers observe the ways Helen and Bill model pack behavior and how they address an unforeseen event: the Arctic wolves attempt to lure Charlie to join them. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Remarkable----Page Turner
A true story of two people, their wolf-dog and their amazing adventures with wild wolves in Canada's far north tundra and frozen ocean.
Helen Thayer, a recipient of many awards and honored by the White House, is a veteran world wide explorer over many years. She and her husband explore the world's remote places seeking material to add to their highly successful educational programs which I and fellow educators nationwide use in classrooms.
Her writing and lectures have inspired people of all ages in many countries. I had the pleasure of meeting this dynamic 66 year old, five feet two inch woman after she spoke at a national corporate convention in Florida.
This is a true life experience of living among wild wolf packs in which Charlie, her Inuit dog who once saved her life from a polar bear attack, is the story's star. Just as POLAR DREAM was, this new book is well written with vivid description that takes you on this remarkable journey. This very different approach to wolf study is a welcome addition to our knowledge of these animals. We see the close relationship of many species of animals sharing wild wolf habitat, and at times depending on each other.
Her first book, POLAR DREAM, tells of her adventure with Charlie when she became the first woman to walk alone pulling her own sled without dog teams or snowmobiles to the Magnetic North Pole.
This exciting story and THREE AMONG THE WOLVES are on the same informative, page turning level. The observation of wild wolf family life, their ability to adjust their survival skills, the raising of the pups and even the concern over an injured family member show close observation and remarkable intuitive understanding of wolf behavior. Of course beloved part-wolf Charlie is the reason for the success of the year long project as the author readily acknowledges.
The story is fast moving and flows smoothly from one chapter to the next. Also beautifully descriptive, compassionate and in places humerous. The numerous photos add to the account. A valuable addition to the story are the descriptions of the various animals the Thayers' encountered who share wolf habitat. An excellent addition to anyones book shelf.

A Fascinating Read
I collect books about wolves. This book is different with a new perspective both fascinating and informative.The author, explorer Helen Thayer,her explorer husband, and their Inuit dog Charlie of the best selling book, "Polar Dream" fame,(the author's book about her first ever by a woman to walk alone to the magnetic North Pole)lived a year with wild wolves above the Arctic Circle summer and winter. The author tells us "it would have been impossible without Charlie.He was the bridge we needed to cross the gap that allowed us to live alongside wolves and share their lives."
Charlie, part wolf, was quickly accepted. His human pack was accepted shortly afterward. The affectionate nature of wolves, their interaction with other animal species, even polar bears, that's not well documented elsewhere, is truly enlightening. The escapades of the mishievious pups are adorable as is their care and teaching by the adults.
The amusing episodes, the highly emotional times and the valuable information makes this book a winner. Beautifully written, vivid description, allows the reader to share this amazing and unique experience.
The reader soon knows each wolf, its personality, and its role in family life as if the reader were right there with the author.
A true winner in wolf literature. ... Read more

Book Description

Spectacular color photos of Yellowstone National Park's wild wolves plus eye-witness stories from park scientists and "wolf watchers." An unprecendented portrait of individual wolves and wolf packs and astonishing new information about how wolves are changing the park's very nature. This book sets a new standard for wolf photography and natural history. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Re-introduction Triumph.
When the introduction of Wolves into Yellowstone National Park first occured in 1995/96 many books appeared celebrating and philosophizing the environmental and social effects of that success. Now, eight years later comes this wonderful book that not only looks at the success of the Yellowstone experiment, but also at those pioneering Wolves, the actual animals who braved that unknown scientific test to see if, after 80 years, the Wolf could again be a part of the Yellowstone ecosystem.

Author James C Halfpenny has beautifully, with just the right amount of anthropomorphism, detailed the lives and experiences of the introduced wolves known to us only by numbers. But like all animal/human interactions even a number can create an emotional attachment, as was the case with the fate of Rose Creek number 10M, the 'Big Guy', whose ultimate sacrifice became the strenghth and symbol of the desire for the Yellowstone experiment to be a success despite the echoes of human hatred still being felt throughout the wilderness.

Ultimately, with all popular wolf books, it is the photographs that are the real joy to most readers, and again this publication delivers. Beautiful and fascinating pictures are presented throughout, and with the well advertised phrase 'no captive wolves" ,a unique claim also, it should be noted, found in David L Mech's Arctic Wolf: Living with the pack (1988) and Jim Brandenberg's White Wolf (1988)and Brother Wolf: a Forgotten Promise (1993) , the photographs take on a special importance of being truely wild and free animals in an environment that had been stolen from them for so many decades. Also included in this text are several Appendices, outlining the original packs and pack members, detailing their histories and social status and also the 2002 wolf packs, their members, offspring and pack locations around the park.

For those wolf enthusiasts who enjoyed the Yellowstone wolf experience in the books, Yellowstone Wolves (Ferguson) Return of the Wolf to Yellowstone (McNamee) Yellowstone Wolf Guide & Sourcebook (Scullery) and Wolves of Yellowstone (Philips & Smith),this is an essential addition to that collection of documents about the most successful animal re-introduction program ever undertaken. As Henry David Thoreau once wrote -" In wildness Is the preservation of the World "-

Yellowstone Wolves in the Wild by James C. Halfpenny
We received our Yellowstone Wolves Book on Monday.
And We, wanted to say Thank You, So much !
This is the BEST book yet.
It will help to keep us close to the Wolves, even down here in Kansas.
Excellent work, and Praise to the Photographer's too !
Can't wait for more like this one.

Beautifully done, excellently written
Dr. James Halfpenny has done a marvelous job of telling the story of the Yellowstone wolves, using photos of the actual animals (no photos of captive wolves, a first for a book of this kind!). He marvelously interweaves biology and research topics with first-hand accounts and stories from the park staff, visitors and volunteers to give a rich account of what the Yellowstone Wolf Project has taught us about this magnificent animal.

The book contains a wealth of information on the wolves, including their reintroduction, the history of the packs, their behavior, and their impact on the entire ecosystem. Plenty of reference material at the end including ID charts and maps round out the factual data. Filled with personal accounts, gorgeous photos and fascinating stories, this book is a must for anyone interested in the most successful endangered species restoration project of the century.

A stunning photo book and a first-class reference
I have high expectations of any work of Jim Halfpenny's, but Yellowstone Wolves is absolutely stunning. In logical progression this book describes the latest field biology and the story of one of the few successful wildlife restoration projects. In describing the "how" of returning a key predator to Yellowstone, it answers the more important but harder question of "why."
Unlike similar, decorative nature books with captions and text created to suit stunning photos of posed, penned, or tame animals, this book uses only photos of Yellowstone's free ranging, wild wolves. This is not just a noble abstract ideal, like using recycled products; it is at the root of the editorial concept for the book. Jim has selected each photo to illustrate a specific point in Yellowstone wolf ecology. There are close portraits of individual animals, but they do not dominate. I think the best photos are more distant ones where the body language of the pack illustrates a point of mainstream wolf behavior, like traveling single file in heavy snow, a strong but not necessarily alpha wolf breaking trail for the rest, or an alpha male following the alpha female up a hill. For contrast, there are photos of unusual or individual behavior, like wolf 224M in a "mousing" leap that he is particularly apt to display after a pack kill of conventional prey. It could be play or it could involve things we don't understand yet, as Jim freely admits.
The book concludes with numerous technical appendices, including "snapshot charts" that show, in remarkably compressed shorthand, the gender, age, social standing, and pack of origin for each yearling through alpha member of each pack.
Yellowstone Wolves is the rarest of formats: scientifically gray literature that is also entertaining reading, artistically chosen photographs placed exactly within the text, clear identification of sources for key facts, and clear separation of fact, speculation, personal opinion, and dissenting ideas. It will join the small group of popular books that can be, and are, cited in scientific literature. All in all, it is a first class reference on technical merit disguised as a coffee table decoration.

Wonderful pictures and stories about wolves in Yellowstone
This book is great for a variety of reasons. If you are an armchair traveller, this book explores the magic of wolves in Yellowstone through stories and pictures. If you are going to travel to Yellowstone, this would be a wonderful book to take with you to help you with your questions about discovering and seeing the Yellowstone wolves. If you are presently an avid wolf watcher in Yellowstone, you would want this book as part of your collection. This book details the history being made during our lifetime. ... Read more