Dogwise Training Manual - Play with Your Dog | Effective Dog Play Techniques & Bonding Activities | Perfect for Puppy Training & Family Fun Time

Pat Miller is a fantastic author and very knowledgeable dog trainer. She brings the same insight I've come to expect from her other books (ex: "The Power of Positive Dog Training" and "Positive Perspectives") to this training manual. "Play..." is a great review of dog's playing styles and ways to interact in positive ways with your dog(s).I purchased the book (along with a few others on play/tricks/etc) because as a positive trainer myself I was running out of new ideas to challenge my 6 year old mixed-breed herding dog. I've had him since I rescued him at 1yr old and he is a very smart boy who LOVES to learn. As a result he knows a ton of tricks in addition to his standard obedience and he's clever enough to come up with his own ideas for play that may or may not be what we want him to do! (Because I've taught him to think through problems instead of just responding to rote commands, this is really a great "problem" to have.) This book is also helpful for my 7 year old Golden Retriever rescue who has a totally different personality.This is by far the best of the books I purchased as it balances intelligent play and training (everything we do with our dogs is a training/teaching moment) with great explanations for those less familiar with training concepts and does not suggest ideas that could be problematic. For Example: a DIFFERENT book I purchased suggested play that I would NEVER teach my dog, such as hiding food in cardboard boxes and teaching your dog to rip the boxes apart to get to the food. Dogs don't understand "just this time" ideas (something Pat Miller talks about) and if I were to teach this particular play, I'd have my dog ripping open any box that came into the house!In addition to discussing the general importance of play, Ms Miller also reviews children and dogs, how NOT to play with your dog, and rehabilitating a play deprived dog. For owners with rescue dogs that don't know how to play this is a great chapter. I've worked in shelters for many years and this is a great chapter for those dogs that need to learn how to play or learn appropriate play. It is truly sad to meet a dog that has never learned how to play and so rewarding to teach them how to do so.I highly recommend this book!