Building Blocks for Performance

The content of this book was great. The author gives a lot of examples of games you can play with your puppy to make training fun. I found several training errors I have been making with my own dogs in this book and, once I saw it in print, could see how that might affect motivation.Contrary to what another reviewer previously mentioned, this book is NOT full of harsh corrections. In fact, there is not one instance where the author advocates harsh corrections or hard-handed training methods. When she does discuss corrections, it is with a very fair, gentle approach that seeks to get the dog immediately back to a position of earning praise while not letting a situation get to the point where the dog feels like commands are optional. This ENTIRE book is about FUN with your dog and learning how to make training, learning, and being with you something your dog can't wait to do. It is one of the most positive training books I have ever read.She has great information about the use of food and toys and tells you how to use them appropriately while still making time with you be your dogs ultimate reward. She also talks about how to structure your puppy's life to make the most of your time together.The author uses many real examples from working with her own dog or from her students. She also has a very nice chapter or two at the end about how to set goals to help yourself be successful with your dog. There are a lot of pictures and boxes highlighting the main ideas or offering in quick bites some additional ideas of how to utilize the information.The ONLY complaint I have with this book is in its organization. She mentions having your puppy do a sit or a down all throughout the book but doesn't talk about teaching the sit or down until the 3rd to last chapter. She also gives TONS of examples of how to train your dog through play throughout the book but it can leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed feeling like you should train your dog 5 hours a day! It isn't until one of the very last chapters that she gives some ideas of how much set aside training time should be done each day and also talks about incorporating 30 seconds here or there as you are doing something else with the puppy anyway.I would definitely consider this book a must-have. I plan to try to read it at least one more time before my next performance puppy arrives.

Great book everyone with a puppy should have a copy.

I'm so glad I was able to get one of these books. Bobbie was one of the greatest Obedience Competitors ever. This is a lovely overview of what should be done with a new puppy, as well as some training ideas for exercising that little mind. This was definitely worth the money I paid and the time I took to read.

great

I'm teaching my dog water work skills, so its helpful in teaching retrieve skills and basic skills such as sitting, coming, and the down command.

At first this book intimidated me a bit and made me feel like I was not going to be able to have competition quality dogs, since I already had two puppies and she says that's a no-no. But, after I got over that, I found it very helpful for some ideas on working with my dogs. I have learned a lot of things I didn't know. I have already started putting some of her tips into practice, but trying not to be too up-tight about it all! My dogs may never compete, but I think they will still be very helpful in herding our sheep! And that is my real goal, anyway.

Best book. Detailed. A great read and guide for training.

Great reference book

seems good, and offers great insight