Deborah Jones (1)

Wow, there is a lot in this book. As a book to just read through it is overwhelming with information. Great information, information that I have not read in other books on dog training. If you want to be a professional dog trainer, and especially if you want to train your dog for competitions, I would say Denise Fenzi's Dog Sports Skills books are a must. Generally I hate it when people say a book is a 'must read' because usually they don't define why or make a case to support that claim. In show more this case, this book, and my understanding of the series, is that it has information you will not see from other sources, and are very thorough, for example talking about different approaches, especially where you have differences of high-drive or low-drive dogs.

I read it straight through, but this book really needs to be taken a bit at a time while you are training your dog. Also used as reference when helping others with their dogs to help with different drive and energy levels. I have not read her books 1 Developing Engagement and Relationship, or book 2 Motivation yet, I will. I am sure with all of them under your belt (and book 4 Focus and Engage!) you would have the strongest foundation to make your own dog or others super well trained while keeping a happy relationship.

OK, I am sure some of you are asking, so what different types of play are discussed? I will try to list some topics/chapters but want to remind you that the focus is on building relationship and focus in the dog.
There is a LOT on tug, chapters of information beyond what you could guess.
Chapter on the High Drive Dog, strategies, socialization, fear and aggression, appropriate toy training, teaching calm behaviors.
Fetch in two chapters for basics and problem solving
Personal Play, several chapters to introduce, teaching, advanced, and problem solving using it
Food play, including introduction food games, and using food play for problem solving.

Sorry if you were looking for one specific play thing, I will have to add that the next time I go through the book. I can speak to my own games with my dog; hiding food in a room and see how fast he can go through and find and eat each one (very quickly). I also play hide and seek, making him stay and then hiding and calling 'seek!' He finds me way to quickly at that to. We also play 'Go get the (name of toy0' and then play with that toy. After reading 'Chaser' about a dog who learned 1000 words, learning the names of a dozen toys in my house I don't think it too difficult. Then he has his own game of trying to catch the squirrels in the backyard. I just need to say 'squirrel' and he goes running to the door. Love to hear of what other games people play with their dogs. show less

Wow, there is a lot in this book. As a book to just read through it is overwhelming with information. Great information, information that I have not read in other books on dog training. If you want to be a professional dog trainer, and especially if you want to train your dog for competitions, I would say Denise Fenzi's Dog Sports Skills books are a must. Generally I hate it when people say a book is a 'must read' because usually they don't define why or make a case to support that claim. In show more this case, this book, and my understanding of the series, is that it has information you will not see from other sources, and are very thorough, for example talking about different approaches, especially where you have differences of high-drive or low-drive dogs.

I read it straight through, but this book really needs to be taken a bit at a time while you are training your dog. Also used as reference when helping others with their dogs to help with different drive and energy levels. I have not read her books 1 Developing Engagement and Relationship, or book 2 Motivation yet, I will. I am sure with all of them under your belt (and book 4 Focus and Engage!) you would have the strongest foundation to make your own dog or others super well trained while keeping a happy relationship.

OK, I am sure some of you are asking, so what different types of play are discussed? I will try to list some topics/chapters but want to remind you that the focus is on building relationship and focus in the dog.
There is a LOT on tug, chapters of information beyond what you could guess.
Chapter on the High Drive Dog, strategies, socialization, fear and aggression, appropriate toy training, teaching calm behaviors.
Fetch in two chapters for basics and problem solving
Personal Play, several chapters to introduce, teaching, advanced, and problem solving using it
Food play, including introduction food games, and using food play for problem solving.

Sorry if you were looking for one specific play thing, I will have to add that the next time I go through the book. I can speak to my own games with my dog; hiding food in a room and see how fast he can go through and find and eat each one (very quickly). I also play hide and seek, making him stay and then hiding and calling 'seek!' He finds me way to quickly at that to. We also play 'Go get the (name of toy0' and then play with that toy. After reading 'Chaser' about a dog who learned 1000 words, learning the names of a dozen toys in my house I don't think it too difficult. Then he has his own game of trying to catch the squirrels in the backyard. I just need to say 'squirrel' and he goes running to the door. Love to hear of what other games people play with their dogs. show less

It did not tske me a long time to read this book - but to go through the exercises and make notes and work with my dog (while doing the same with other books and classes)... This is a great book - glad to have it in my shelf. Wish it was in digital format so i could carry it with me.
Lots of good information and exercises.. Looking forward to book 2