Doggone fantastic!, 08 Oct 2008
Love Martin Clunes, love dogs, loved his recent documentary about dogs - so all good. This book does tally with the tv programme about history of dogs but the bits I actually enjoyed best are his own personal history with dogs and his present day trials, tribulations and joys with them. Just one thing - I'd love to know how Mary is these days.

Doggone fantastic!, 08 Oct 2008
Love Martin Clunes, love dogs, loved his recent documentary about dogs - so all good. This book does tally with the tv programme about history of dogs but the bits I actually enjoyed best are his own personal history with dogs and his present day trials, tribulations and joys with them. Just one thing - I'd love to know how Mary is these days.

All you need for a happy puppy, 07 Nov 2008
This is a great book for a new puppy owner. We bought it when we bought our puppy and followed its advice closely, particularly with regard to toilet training and general 'good manners' - issues like dealing with pack position, territory, food, toys, etc. We were kind but strict early on, just as the book recommends, and made sure that our puppy was put to bed in the same place, not allowed the run of the house, and not allowed on the furniture!

18 months later, we have a lovely dog - well-mannered, fun to be around, but happy and secure. And we let her on the sofa now because she's too cute to resist!

I thoroughly recommend this book!

very puppy owner should read this , 19 Oct 2008
I know it is a cliche, but i never write reviews. However, this book is so good i wanted to encourage everyone to buy it.
I bought this book a week before our puppy arrived and it has been an endless source of information, stress relief and enjoyment. It has provided help in ensuring our puppy is happy, well socialised and well trained so she is a pleasure to have around. Even in her most mischievous moments. It is well laid out and easy to understand with step my step guidance. The writer obviously has a lot of experience and relays this in a practical way. I recommend this to anyone who has or will be having a new puppy!!!!

Great book for a first time dog owner, 11 Aug 2008
I bought this book a few weeks before we picked up our springer puppy because I had never owned a dog before and wanted to make sure I did everything right from the start.

This book was a great help, and helped me to understand some simple, yet effective, dog psychology (such as who walks through a door first, when you should feed them etc).

The book is easy to read and helped to give me some confidence when we first got our puppy. I've since passed it on to friends who have also found it useful.

Our dog is now 3 years old, and he's pretty well behaved (particularly for a Springer!), and I would put some of this down to this book as it was a great place to start.

This book has helped to keep me sane!, 25 Jul 2008
We got our puppy 4 weeks ago. Without this book, I would probably have gone crazy. With this book, we have managed to housetrain our puppy in around 3 weeks.
Some really good advice from the book:
1) get a puppy playpen for your puppy. This means that you can keep the puppy somewhere safe so that you don't need to watch it 100% of the time for 16 hours of the day. Otherwise, your puppy will wander all over your house and wee and poo everywhere. Having a puppy pen (NOT a crate) allows you to have a bit more control but still allow your puppy a safe area to play and sleep.
2) the book has a suggested routine for your dog. As this is our first puppy, we literally would not have known when to feed it and when to take it out to meet people and when to let it rest. So the routine was really useful in the first week. After the first week, we established our own routine - but in that first week, it gave us a valuable structure for how to look after our puppy and keep it safe and happy.
There's loads of great advice in this book and we've started teaching our puppy how to sit on command. And we have taught our puppy how to wee and poo in the garden and outside when it goes for walks now - all in just a few weeks thanks to this brilliant book!

The only puppy guide you'll ever need, 19 Apr 2008
We've owned four dogs over the last 25 years but it's nearly 11 years since we last had a puppy and we'd forgotten just how much work they need. Our old guides had been passed out to friends and family but the breeder of our new pup recommended Gwen Bailey's book as a refresher and it really does have everything you need to know in one book, from early socialisation to the first steps in obedience training.
Whether you are getting your first puppy or like us are out of practice, reading this book before you take your new puppy home will prepare you for what you need to do and give a great source of reference throughout the all important first year of its development.

Doggone fantastic!, 08 Oct 2008
Love Martin Clunes, love dogs, loved his recent documentary about dogs - so all good. This book does tally with the tv programme about history of dogs but the bits I actually enjoyed best are his own personal history with dogs and his present day trials, tribulations and joys with them. Just one thing - I'd love to know how Mary is these days.

All you need for a happy puppy, 07 Nov 2008
This is a great book for a new puppy owner. We bought it when we bought our puppy and followed its advice closely, particularly with regard to toilet training and general 'good manners' - issues like dealing with pack position, territory, food, toys, etc. We were kind but strict early on, just as the book recommends, and made sure that our puppy was put to bed in the same place, not allowed the run of the house, and not allowed on the furniture!

18 months later, we have a lovely dog - well-mannered, fun to be around, but happy and secure. And we let her on the sofa now because she's too cute to resist!

I thoroughly recommend this book!

very puppy owner should read this , 19 Oct 2008
I know it is a cliche, but i never write reviews. However, this book is so good i wanted to encourage everyone to buy it.
I bought this book a week before our puppy arrived and it has been an endless source of information, stress relief and enjoyment. It has provided help in ensuring our puppy is happy, well socialised and well trained so she is a pleasure to have around. Even in her most mischievous moments. It is well laid out and easy to understand with step my step guidance. The writer obviously has a lot of experience and relays this in a practical way. I recommend this to anyone who has or will be having a new puppy!!!!

Great book for a first time dog owner, 11 Aug 2008
I bought this book a few weeks before we picked up our springer puppy because I had never owned a dog before and wanted to make sure I did everything right from the start.

This book was a great help, and helped me to understand some simple, yet effective, dog psychology (such as who walks through a door first, when you should feed them etc).

The book is easy to read and helped to give me some confidence when we first got our puppy. I've since passed it on to friends who have also found it useful.

Our dog is now 3 years old, and he's pretty well behaved (particularly for a Springer!), and I would put some of this down to this book as it was a great place to start.

This book has helped to keep me sane!, 25 Jul 2008
We got our puppy 4 weeks ago. Without this book, I would probably have gone crazy. With this book, we have managed to housetrain our puppy in around 3 weeks.
Some really good advice from the book:
1) get a puppy playpen for your puppy. This means that you can keep the puppy somewhere safe so that you don't need to watch it 100% of the time for 16 hours of the day. Otherwise, your puppy will wander all over your house and wee and poo everywhere. Having a puppy pen (NOT a crate) allows you to have a bit more control but still allow your puppy a safe area to play and sleep.
2) the book has a suggested routine for your dog. As this is our first puppy, we literally would not have known when to feed it and when to take it out to meet people and when to let it rest. So the routine was really useful in the first week. After the first week, we established our own routine - but in that first week, it gave us a valuable structure for how to look after our puppy and keep it safe and happy.
There's loads of great advice in this book and we've started teaching our puppy how to sit on command. And we have taught our puppy how to wee and poo in the garden and outside when it goes for walks now - all in just a few weeks thanks to this brilliant book!

The only puppy guide you'll ever need, 19 Apr 2008
We've owned four dogs over the last 25 years but it's nearly 11 years since we last had a puppy and we'd forgotten just how much work they need. Our old guides had been passed out to friends and family but the breeder of our new pup recommended Gwen Bailey's book as a refresher and it really does have everything you need to know in one book, from early socialisation to the first steps in obedience training.
Whether you are getting your first puppy or like us are out of practice, reading this book before you take your new puppy home will prepare you for what you need to do and give a great source of reference throughout the all important first year of its development.

Excellent resource for learning 'pack leadership', 17 May 2008
For those who want to expand their knowledge and abilities with dog leadership skills this book provides valuable tools for achieving that goal. Every episode from Cesar Millan's first 3 series of 'The Dog Whisperer' is reviewed and analysed. This in depth analysis helps to make very real the method which Cesar uses.

Unlike 'dog training' Cesar and others who follow the 'pack system' focus on creating harmony and balance in our dogs. We use our dog's natural and hard wired instincts to create change which allow them to 'be themselves'. This method helps to meet our dogs needs rather than us just getting our needs met when we get love and affection from our dogs.

This book allows us to get a much deeper understanding of the way Cesar uses the 'power of pack leadership' to help create happy balanced dogs. The book also gives follow ups which help to see that even with Cesar's help some dogs and their owners are unable to make the desired changes.

This book provides a valuable guide that is well written and very concise. Whatever breed of dog you have, whatever age and whatever your dogs problems you will find help in the pages of this book.

Doggone fantastic!, 08 Oct 2008
Love Martin Clunes, love dogs, loved his recent documentary about dogs - so all good. This book does tally with the tv programme about history of dogs but the bits I actually enjoyed best are his own personal history with dogs and his present day trials, tribulations and joys with them. Just one thing - I'd love to know how Mary is these days.

All you need for a happy puppy, 07 Nov 2008
This is a great book for a new puppy owner. We bought it when we bought our puppy and followed its advice closely, particularly with regard to toilet training and general 'good manners' - issues like dealing with pack position, territory, food, toys, etc. We were kind but strict early on, just as the book recommends, and made sure that our puppy was put to bed in the same place, not allowed the run of the house, and not allowed on the furniture!

18 months later, we have a lovely dog - well-mannered, fun to be around, but happy and secure. And we let her on the sofa now because she's too cute to resist!

I thoroughly recommend this book!

very puppy owner should read this , 19 Oct 2008
I know it is a cliche, but i never write reviews. However, this book is so good i wanted to encourage everyone to buy it.
I bought this book a week before our puppy arrived and it has been an endless source of information, stress relief and enjoyment. It has provided help in ensuring our puppy is happy, well socialised and well trained so she is a pleasure to have around. Even in her most mischievous moments. It is well laid out and easy to understand with step my step guidance. The writer obviously has a lot of experience and relays this in a practical way. I recommend this to anyone who has or will be having a new puppy!!!!

Great book for a first time dog owner, 11 Aug 2008
I bought this book a few weeks before we picked up our springer puppy because I had never owned a dog before and wanted to make sure I did everything right from the start.

This book was a great help, and helped me to understand some simple, yet effective, dog psychology (such as who walks through a door first, when you should feed them etc).

The book is easy to read and helped to give me some confidence when we first got our puppy. I've since passed it on to friends who have also found it useful.

Our dog is now 3 years old, and he's pretty well behaved (particularly for a Springer!), and I would put some of this down to this book as it was a great place to start.

This book has helped to keep me sane!, 25 Jul 2008
We got our puppy 4 weeks ago. Without this book, I would probably have gone crazy. With this book, we have managed to housetrain our puppy in around 3 weeks.
Some really good advice from the book:
1) get a puppy playpen for your puppy. This means that you can keep the puppy somewhere safe so that you don't need to watch it 100% of the time for 16 hours of the day. Otherwise, your puppy will wander all over your house and wee and poo everywhere. Having a puppy pen (NOT a crate) allows you to have a bit more control but still allow your puppy a safe area to play and sleep.
2) the book has a suggested routine for your dog. As this is our first puppy, we literally would not have known when to feed it and when to take it out to meet people and when to let it rest. So the routine was really useful in the first week. After the first week, we established our own routine - but in that first week, it gave us a valuable structure for how to look after our puppy and keep it safe and happy.
There's loads of great advice in this book and we've started teaching our puppy how to sit on command. And we have taught our puppy how to wee and poo in the garden and outside when it goes for walks now - all in just a few weeks thanks to this brilliant book!

The only puppy guide you'll ever need, 19 Apr 2008
We've owned four dogs over the last 25 years but it's nearly 11 years since we last had a puppy and we'd forgotten just how much work they need. Our old guides had been passed out to friends and family but the breeder of our new pup recommended Gwen Bailey's book as a refresher and it really does have everything you need to know in one book, from early socialisation to the first steps in obedience training.
Whether you are getting your first puppy or like us are out of practice, reading this book before you take your new puppy home will prepare you for what you need to do and give a great source of reference throughout the all important first year of its development.

Excellent resource for learning 'pack leadership', 17 May 2008
For those who want to expand their knowledge and abilities with dog leadership skills this book provides valuable tools for achieving that goal. Every episode from Cesar Millan's first 3 series of 'The Dog Whisperer' is reviewed and analysed. This in depth analysis helps to make very real the method which Cesar uses.

Unlike 'dog training' Cesar and others who follow the 'pack system' focus on creating harmony and balance in our dogs. We use our dog's natural and hard wired instincts to create change which allow them to 'be themselves'. This method helps to meet our dogs needs rather than us just getting our needs met when we get love and affection from our dogs.

This book allows us to get a much deeper understanding of the way Cesar uses the 'power of pack leadership' to help create happy balanced dogs. The book also gives follow ups which help to see that even with Cesar's help some dogs and their owners are unable to make the desired changes.

This book provides a valuable guide that is well written and very concise. Whatever breed of dog you have, whatever age and whatever your dogs problems you will find help in the pages of this book.

Awful, 25 Oct 2008
Totally boring this book i'm glad i only paid 40 pence for it at a car boot sale and to be honest it is'nt worth that.

Disappointed, 05 Sep 2008
Like another reviewer, I read Marley & Me (a great book, highly recommended) and thought that Walking Ollie would be on a similar theme. Instead I found it was about a bloke who doesn't particularly like dogs until the last 10 pages and doesn't really have anything nice to say.

Don't get me wrong, the book was well writen and parts were amusing, there were some funny anecdotes, but just as you get to the part where the writer finally bonds with his dog, the book finishes. Really disappointing. It feels like I've read half a story and stopped.

Nice story but......................, 08 Apr 2008
I had just finished a gripping read of "Life With George" which was entertaining from start to finish when I decided that Walking Ollie would be just as great.

I loved the little black and white pictures of Ollie dotted throughout the book, that was a really nice touch but I found the content was a little poor. I just felt that this story could be about anybodies dog, there was nothing really special about it and it didn't grip me.

If you are looking for a short book to read on a lazy Sunday afternoon or by the poolside on holiday and you love dogs, then this is a nice book.

Worth a read if you've got a rescue.., 28 Mar 2008
"Walking Ollie" is an book about the author's experiences having adopted a lurcher pup from a rescue centre. It will definitely strike a chord with anyone who has a rescue dog (myself included) but I'm not sure how much it would be enjoyed by non dog-owners.

Whilst there are moments that could be described as heart-warming, this is not your normal story of the high-jinx and capers that a new puppy brings to the home. Ollie, though very young, has obviously has a rough start in life, and is damaged by it. The book tells the story of the author's frustrated attempts to over come this, and also addresses what to do when the much talked about bond between owner and dog just doesn't appear to be there.

I read this book very quickly, and if I have one criticism, it's that I would have liked it to be longer and to go into more depth from the author's point of view. There are a couple of points that I found really insightful, and wanted to know more. The author is witty and has a dry sense of humour which I would have liked to be allowed to show through more.

To finish, there's been much comment on the author's "prejudice" against labs and their owners. I think this really needs to be taken with a pinch of salt (as he himself says in the book) - I think dog owners all have their gripes with other dog-owners and their pets, it goes with the territory, and I say this as a lab owner. My lab is, in fact, a rescue and - ironically - has a list of behavioural issues as long as your arm. Maybe I should write a book?!

Very enjoyable, 05 Mar 2008
Having read Marley and Me, i was a bit apprehensive about the book, but i found it had been well written and had me in stitches, as some have said it is not as good as Marley and Me, i felt it wrong to compare the two books together, the same as the breeds, Labradors and Lurchers are completely different in looks as well as characteristics, having looked after a friends, who in many respects was like Stephen Foster's. I was able to enjoy this book and understand the trials and tribulations that he went throught with Ollie, and if there is a follow on about Ollie and Dylan it will be a definate buy for me.

Doggone fantastic!, 08 Oct 2008
Love Martin Clunes, love dogs, loved his recent documentary about dogs - so all good. This book does tally with the tv programme about history of dogs but the bits I actually enjoyed best are his own personal history with dogs and his present day trials, tribulations and joys with them. Just one thing - I'd love to know how Mary is these days.

All you need for a happy puppy, 07 Nov 2008
This is a great book for a new puppy owner. We bought it when we bought our puppy and followed its advice closely, particularly with regard to toilet training and general 'good manners' - issues like dealing with pack position, territory, food, toys, etc. We were kind but strict early on, just as the book recommends, and made sure that our puppy was put to bed in the same place, not allowed the run of the house, and not allowed on the furniture!

18 months later, we have a lovely dog - well-mannered, fun to be around, but happy and secure. And we let her on the sofa now because she's too cute to resist!

I thoroughly recommend this book!

very puppy owner should read this , 19 Oct 2008
I know it is a cliche, but i never write reviews. However, this book is so good i wanted to encourage everyone to buy it.
I bought this book a week before our puppy arrived and it has been an endless source of information, stress relief and enjoyment. It has provided help in ensuring our puppy is happy, well socialised and well trained so she is a pleasure to have around. Even in her most mischievous moments. It is well laid out and easy to understand with step my step guidance. The writer obviously has a lot of experience and relays this in a practical way. I recommend this to anyone who has or will be having a new puppy!!!!

Great book for a first time dog owner, 11 Aug 2008
I bought this book a few weeks before we picked up our springer puppy because I had never owned a dog before and wanted to make sure I did everything right from the start.

This book was a great help, and helped me to understand some simple, yet effective, dog psychology (such as who walks through a door first, when you should feed them etc).

The book is easy to read and helped to give me some confidence when we first got our puppy. I've since passed it on to friends who have also found it useful.

Our dog is now 3 years old, and he's pretty well behaved (particularly for a Springer!), and I would put some of this down to this book as it was a great place to start.

This book has helped to keep me sane!, 25 Jul 2008
We got our puppy 4 weeks ago. Without this book, I would probably have gone crazy. With this book, we have managed to housetrain our puppy in around 3 weeks.
Some really good advice from the book:
1) get a puppy playpen for your puppy. This means that you can keep the puppy somewhere safe so that you don't need to watch it 100% of the time for 16 hours of the day. Otherwise, your puppy will wander all over your house and wee and poo everywhere. Having a puppy pen (NOT a crate) allows you to have a bit more control but still allow your puppy a safe area to play and sleep.
2) the book has a suggested routine for your dog. As this is our first puppy, we literally would not have known when to feed it and when to take it out to meet people and when to let it rest. So the routine was really useful in the first week. After the first week, we established our own routine - but in that first week, it gave us a valuable structure for how to look after our puppy and keep it safe and happy.
There's loads of great advice in this book and we've started teaching our puppy how to sit on command. And we have taught our puppy how to wee and poo in the garden and outside when it goes for walks now - all in just a few weeks thanks to this brilliant book!

The only puppy guide you'll ever need, 19 Apr 2008
We've owned four dogs over the last 25 years but it's nearly 11 years since we last had a puppy and we'd forgotten just how much work they need. Our old guides had been passed out to friends and family but the breeder of our new pup recommended Gwen Bailey's book as a refresher and it really does have everything you need to know in one book, from early socialisation to the first steps in obedience training.
Whether you are getting your first puppy or like us are out of practice, reading this book before you take your new puppy home will prepare you for what you need to do and give a great source of reference throughout the all important first year of its development.

Excellent resource for learning 'pack leadership', 17 May 2008
For those who want to expand their knowledge and abilities with dog leadership skills this book provides valuable tools for achieving that goal. Every episode from Cesar Millan's first 3 series of 'The Dog Whisperer' is reviewed and analysed. This in depth analysis helps to make very real the method which Cesar uses.

Unlike 'dog training' Cesar and others who follow the 'pack system' focus on creating harmony and balance in our dogs. We use our dog's natural and hard wired instincts to create change which allow them to 'be themselves'. This method helps to meet our dogs needs rather than us just getting our needs met when we get love and affection from our dogs.

This book allows us to get a much deeper understanding of the way Cesar uses the 'power of pack leadership' to help create happy balanced dogs. The book also gives follow ups which help to see that even with Cesar's help some dogs and their owners are unable to make the desired changes.

This book provides a valuable guide that is well written and very concise. Whatever breed of dog you have, whatever age and whatever your dogs problems you will find help in the pages of this book.

Awful, 25 Oct 2008
Totally boring this book i'm glad i only paid 40 pence for it at a car boot sale and to be honest it is'nt worth that.

Disappointed, 05 Sep 2008
Like another reviewer, I read Marley & Me (a great book, highly recommended) and thought that Walking Ollie would be on a similar theme. Instead I found it was about a bloke who doesn't particularly like dogs until the last 10 pages and doesn't really have anything nice to say.

Don't get me wrong, the book was well writen and parts were amusing, there were some funny anecdotes, but just as you get to the part where the writer finally bonds with his dog, the book finishes. Really disappointing. It feels like I've read half a story and stopped.

Nice story but......................, 08 Apr 2008
I had just finished a gripping read of "Life With George" which was entertaining from start to finish when I decided that Walking Ollie would be just as great.

I loved the little black and white pictures of Ollie dotted throughout the book, that was a really nice touch but I found the content was a little poor. I just felt that this story could be about anybodies dog, there was nothing really special about it and it didn't grip me.

If you are looking for a short book to read on a lazy Sunday afternoon or by the poolside on holiday and you love dogs, then this is a nice book.

Worth a read if you've got a rescue.., 28 Mar 2008
"Walking Ollie" is an book about the author's experiences having adopted a lurcher pup from a rescue centre. It will definitely strike a chord with anyone who has a rescue dog (myself included) but I'm not sure how much it would be enjoyed by non dog-owners.

Whilst there are moments that could be described as heart-warming, this is not your normal story of the high-jinx and capers that a new puppy brings to the home. Ollie, though very young, has obviously has a rough start in life, and is damaged by it. The book tells the story of the author's frustrated attempts to over come this, and also addresses what to do when the much talked about bond between owner and dog just doesn't appear to be there.

I read this book very quickly, and if I have one criticism, it's that I would have liked it to be longer and to go into more depth from the author's point of view. There are a couple of points that I found really insightful, and wanted to know more. The author is witty and has a dry sense of humour which I would have liked to be allowed to show through more.

To finish, there's been much comment on the author's "prejudice" against labs and their owners. I think this really needs to be taken with a pinch of salt (as he himself says in the book) - I think dog owners all have their gripes with other dog-owners and their pets, it goes with the territory, and I say this as a lab owner. My lab is, in fact, a rescue and - ironically - has a list of behavioural issues as long as your arm. Maybe I should write a book?!

Very enjoyable, 05 Mar 2008
Having read Marley and Me, i was a bit apprehensive about the book, but i found it had been well written and had me in stitches, as some have said it is not as good as Marley and Me, i felt it wrong to compare the two books together, the same as the breeds, Labradors and Lurchers are completely different in looks as well as characteristics, having looked after a friends, who in many respects was like Stephen Foster's. I was able to enjoy this book and understand the trials and tribulations that he went throught with Ollie, and if there is a follow on about Ollie and Dylan it will be a definate buy for me.

Like relaxing in a warm bath...., 25 Oct 2008
Stephen's previous book, Walking Ollie, rekindled my long-lost love affair with reading. He has a style of writing that makes reading as comfortable and as pleasurable as laying in a relaxing warm bath. This style is as evident in Along Came Dylan as it was in Walking Ollie.

Whereas Walking Ollie was chiefly about how getting a particularly quirky dog affected the author, this title is more concerned with how getting a second dog, Dylan, affects his first dog, Ollie.

The antics aren't quite as funny as they were in Walking Ollie, but Stephen's acerbic look at people, particularly fellow dog-owning people, remains as funny as it ever has been.

Aside from the new dog, Dylan, we are also introduced to a few friends and acquaintances of the author, including the pugilistic and comical Philip who appears to insist on ending each sentence with the word 'boy', and Old Stokie who, aside from other things, harbours a particular dislike towards streaky bacon wrapped around prunes with a cocktail stick. Then, of course, there is the chance to read how Ollie has matured since the last title. Readers of the past title will take comfort, I'm sure, in knowing that he is as quirky now as he was when we were first introduced.

Despite the somewhat amusing dynamics between Ollie and Dylan, I personally found the relationship between Stephen and Philip more entertaining, curious, and intriguing than the relationship between the two dogs. I would love to see a book based on the Philip character in the future.

Overall, it's a warm and enjoyable read, but it doesn't quite have the same ingredients that made the Walking Ollie title sparkle so brightly. However, the introduction of the friends, particularly Philip, makes it an equally enjoyable read, but for different reasons. Now I am left waiting for the title "Walking Along With Philip".

If you enjoyed Walking Ollie, there is no doubt that you will enjoy Along Came Dylan too.

Doggone fantastic!, 08 Oct 2008
Love Martin Clunes, love dogs, loved his recent documentary about dogs - so all good. This book does tally with the tv programme about history of dogs but the bits I actually enjoyed best are his own personal history with dogs and his present day trials, tribulations and joys with them. Just one thing - I'd love to know how Mary is these days.

All you need for a happy puppy, 07 Nov 2008
This is a great book for a new puppy owner. We bought it when we bought our puppy and followed its advice closely, particularly with regard to toilet training and general 'good manners' - issues like dealing with pack position, territory, food, toys, etc. We were kind but strict early on, just as the book recommends, and made sure that our puppy was put to bed in the same place, not allowed the run of the house, and not allowed on the furniture!

18 months later, we have a lovely dog - well-mannered, fun to be around, but happy and secure. And we let her on the sofa now because she's too cute to resist!

I thoroughly recommend this book!

very puppy owner should read this , 19 Oct 2008
I know it is a cliche, but i never write reviews. However, this book is so good i wanted to encourage everyone to buy it.
I bought this book a week before our puppy arrived and it has been an endless source of information, stress relief and enjoyment. It has provided help in ensuring our puppy is happy, well socialised and well trained so she is a pleasure to have around. Even in her most mischievous moments. It is well laid out and easy to understand with step my step guidance. The writer obviously has a lot of experience and relays this in a practical way. I recommend this to anyone who has or will be having a new puppy!!!!

Great book for a first time dog owner, 11 Aug 2008
I bought this book a few weeks before we picked up our springer puppy because I had never owned a dog before and wanted to make sure I did everything right from the start.

This book was a great help, and helped me to understand some simple, yet effective, dog psychology (such as who walks through a door first, when you should feed them etc).

The book is easy to read and helped to give me some confidence when we first got our puppy. I've since passed it on to friends who have also found it useful.

Our dog is now 3 years old, and he's pretty well behaved (particularly for a Springer!), and I would put some of this down to this book as it was a great place to start.

This book has helped to keep me sane!, 25 Jul 2008
We got our puppy 4 weeks ago. Without this book, I would probably have gone crazy. With this book, we have managed to housetrain our puppy in around 3 weeks.
Some really good advice from the book:
1) get a puppy playpen for your puppy. This means that you can keep the puppy somewhere safe so that you don't need to watch it 100% of the time for 16 hours of the day. Otherwise, your puppy will wander all over your house and wee and poo everywhere. Having a puppy pen (NOT a crate) allows you to have a bit more control but still allow your puppy a safe area to play and sleep.
2) the book has a suggested routine for your dog. As this is our first puppy, we literally would not have known when to feed it and when to take it out to meet people and when to let it rest. So the routine was really useful in the first week. After the first week, we established our own routine - but in that first week, it gave us a valuable structure for how to look after our puppy and keep it safe and happy.
There's loads of great advice in this book and we've started teaching our puppy how to sit on command. And we have taught our puppy how to wee and poo in the garden and outside when it goes for walks now - all in just a few weeks thanks to this brilliant book!

The only puppy guide you'll ever need, 19 Apr 2008
We've owned four dogs over the last 25 years but it's nearly 11 years since we last had a puppy and we'd forgotten just how much work they need. Our old guides had been passed out to friends and family but the breeder of our new pup recommended Gwen Bailey's book as a refresher and it really does have everything you need to know in one book, from early socialisation to the first steps in obedience training.
Whether you are getting your first puppy or like us are out of practice, reading this book before you take your new puppy home will prepare you for what you need to do and give a great source of reference throughout the all important first year of its development.

Excellent resource for learning 'pack leadership', 17 May 2008
For those who want to expand their knowledge and abilities with dog leadership skills this book provides valuable tools for achieving that goal. Every episode from Cesar Millan's first 3 series of 'The Dog Whisperer' is reviewed and analysed. This in depth analysis helps to make very real the method which Cesar uses.

Unlike 'dog training' Cesar and others who follow the 'pack system' focus on creating harmony and balance in our dogs. We use our dog's natural and hard wired instincts to create change which allow them to 'be themselves'. This method helps to meet our dogs needs rather than us just getting our needs met when we get love and affection from our dogs.

This book allows us to get a much deeper understanding of the way Cesar uses the 'power of pack leadership' to help create happy balanced dogs. The book also gives follow ups which help to see that even with Cesar's help some dogs and their owners are unable to make the desired changes.

This book provides a valuable guide that is well written and very concise. Whatever breed of dog you have, whatever age and whatever your dogs problems you will find help in the pages of this book.

Awful, 25 Oct 2008
Totally boring this book i'm glad i only paid 40 pence for it at a car boot sale and to be honest it is'nt worth that.

Disappointed, 05 Sep 2008
Like another reviewer, I read Marley & Me (a great book, highly recommended) and thought that Walking Ollie would be on a similar theme. Instead I found it was about a bloke who doesn't particularly like dogs until the last 10 pages and doesn't really have anything nice to say.

Don't get me wrong, the book was well writen and parts were amusing, there were some funny anecdotes, but just as you get to the part where the writer finally bonds with his dog, the book finishes. Really disappointing. It feels like I've read half a story and stopped.

Nice story but......................, 08 Apr 2008
I had just finished a gripping read of "Life With George" which was entertaining from start to finish when I decided that Walking Ollie would be just as great.

I loved the little black and white pictures of Ollie dotted throughout the book, that was a really nice touch but I found the content was a little poor. I just felt that this story could be about anybodies dog, there was nothing really special about it and it didn't grip me.

If you are looking for a short book to read on a lazy Sunday afternoon or by the poolside on holiday and you love dogs, then this is a nice book.

Worth a read if you've got a rescue.., 28 Mar 2008
"Walking Ollie" is an book about the author's experiences having adopted a lurcher pup from a rescue centre. It will definitely strike a chord with anyone who has a rescue dog (myself included) but I'm not sure how much it would be enjoyed by non dog-owners.

Whilst there are moments that could be described as heart-warming, this is not your normal story of the high-jinx and capers that a new puppy brings to the home. Ollie, though very young, has obviously has a rough start in life, and is damaged by it. The book tells the story of the author's frustrated attempts to over come this, and also addresses what to do when the much talked about bond between owner and dog just doesn't appear to be there.

I read this book very quickly, and if I have one criticism, it's that I would have liked it to be longer and to go into more depth from the author's point of view. There are a couple of points that I found really insightful, and wanted to know more. The author is witty and has a dry sense of humour which I would have liked to be allowed to show through more.

To finish, there's been much comment on the author's "prejudice" against labs and their owners. I think this really needs to be taken with a pinch of salt (as he himself says in the book) - I think dog owners all have their gripes with other dog-owners and their pets, it goes with the territory, and I say this as a lab owner. My lab is, in fact, a rescue and - ironically - has a list of behavioural issues as long as your arm. Maybe I should write a book?!

Very enjoyable, 05 Mar 2008
Having read Marley and Me, i was a bit apprehensive about the book, but i found it had been well written and had me in stitches, as some have said it is not as good as Marley and Me, i felt it wrong to compare the two books together, the same as the breeds, Labradors and Lurchers are completely different in looks as well as characteristics, having looked after a friends, who in many respects was like Stephen Foster's. I was able to enjoy this book and understand the trials and tribulations that he went throught with Ollie, and if there is a follow on about Ollie and Dylan it will be a definate buy for me.

Like relaxing in a warm bath...., 25 Oct 2008
Stephen's previous book, Walking Ollie, rekindled my long-lost love affair with reading. He has a style of writing that makes reading as comfortable and as pleasurable as laying in a relaxing warm bath. This style is as evident in Along Came Dylan as it was in Walking Ollie.

Whereas Walking Ollie was chiefly about how getting a particularly quirky dog affected the author, this title is more concerned with how getting a second dog, Dylan, affects his first dog, Ollie.

The antics aren't quite as funny as they were in Walking Ollie, but Stephen's acerbic look at people, particularly fellow dog-owning people, remains as funny as it ever has been.

Aside from the new dog, Dylan, we are also introduced to a few friends and acquaintances of the author, including the pugilistic and comical Philip who appears to insist on ending each sentence with the word 'boy', and Old Stokie who, aside from other things, harbours a particular dislike towards streaky bacon wrapped around prunes with a cocktail stick. Then, of course, there is the chance to read how Ollie has matured since the last title. Readers of the past title will take comfort, I'm sure, in knowing that he is as quirky now as he was when we were first introduced.

Despite the somewhat amusing dynamics between Ollie and Dylan, I personally found the relationship between Stephen and Philip more entertaining, curious, and intriguing than the relationship between the two dogs. I would love to see a book based on the Philip character in the future.

Overall, it's a warm and enjoyable read, but it doesn't quite have the same ingredients that made the Walking Ollie title sparkle so brightly. However, the introduction of the friends, particularly Philip, makes it an equally enjoyable read, but for different reasons. Now I am left waiting for the title "Walking Along With Philip".

If you enjoyed Walking Ollie, there is no doubt that you will enjoy Along Came Dylan too.

Good, but could do better., 09 Apr 2008
Nice book with lots of photos. Unfortunately the much of the information with regard to photos did not mention the breed of birds shown. I would have liked to have more detail in the captions. Some of the specific breeds mentioned had no photo at all. I wasn't interested in the chapter on crafts.
My husband preferred this book to "The Right Way to Keep Chickens" by Virginia Shirt because it was easier to absorb and photo's are much better than drawings. He said it was a good book, I am hard to please!

Not just a picture book -- gave me all I needed to keep chix in the garden, 08 Sep 2007
I was so much more impressed by this book than I thought I would be. I got it as a nice coffee table book, but found out that it is loaded with all the information needed to keep a healthy, happy flock in your garden, whether as pets and enjoyment or for profit.... and gorgeous photos!!

It has a transcontinental flavour (I don't know if the authors are American or British, but the spelling is British and lists of suppliers are provided for both UK & US, etc.) and offers history, breed advice, a very good amount of health and hygiene information, as well as tips on housing and guidelines for feeding, and information on culling and cooking too. Everything you need to make the choice whether or not to have chickens is here -- and I will stress again how lovely the photos are.

Would make a perfect gift for someone you know who is thinking about it and wants some more information and advice.

The behavioural problems covered in The Dog Listener will sound all too familiar to anyone who shares their life with a canine companion. During the 25 years that Jan Fennell has been working with dogs, she's been increasingly aware of the ways in which communication between man's best friend and ourselves has broken down. Inspired by Monty Roberts, Fennell embraces similar ideas to those found in The Man Who Listens to Horses. Rather than trying to fit human psychology to animals, the starting point is observing how animals communicate, how they structure their groups in the wild and what they think their role is.

Initially Fennell looks at the role that dogs have played historically--primarily a working role, in which human and animal worked side by side to the same goal. Many owners flinch as the idea of a dog "working", with associations of oppression and hierarchy. But dogs naturally form a hierarchical society with the strongest, most intelligent dog leading the pack. Humans might thrive on the concept of democracy but dogs don't automatically feel the same way. When we understand and respect a dog's mindset, effective training can be done with intelligence and compassion.

Each chapter deals with a different case study and owners of problem or "challenging" dogs will be kicking themselves as they realise just how wrong they've been getting it all this time. Some myths dispelled: "Tugging games are fun and it makes my little dog happy to think he's the winner." Wrong--if you let the dog win it reinforces the idea that he is the top dog in the group. "My dog can't bear to be left in the house ... because he loves me so much." Wrong--your dog thinks that he is responsible for you, the acute anxiety that results from separation can be likened to that of a mother who's has a toddler wander off by itself into untold danger.

Much of what we do to show affection to our dogs actually has the result of creating insecurities and confusion. In this respect many ideas are similar to those in John Fisher's Think Dog, particularly on remedies for anxious and aggressive dogs. Here though, the use of real life case studies offers encouragement that following this advice can initiate a rapid transformation in your dog's behaviour. Jan Fennell writes with affection and a real conviction that sharing her work with others can make a real difference. Her wide and admiring audience of happy dog owners would indicate that the title of "dog listener" is a highly appropriate one.--Tony Martin

Doggone fantastic!, 08 Oct 2008
Love Martin Clunes, love dogs, loved his recent documentary about dogs - so all good. This book does tally with the tv programme about history of dogs but the bits I actually enjoyed best are his own personal history with dogs and his present day trials, tribulations and joys with them. Just one thing - I'd love to know how Mary is these days.

All you need for a happy puppy, 07 Nov 2008
This is a great book for a new puppy owner. We bought it when we bought our puppy and followed its advice closely, particularly with regard to toilet training and general 'good manners' - issues like dealing with pack position, territory, food, toys, etc. We were kind but strict early on, just as the book recommends, and made sure that our puppy was put to bed in the same place, not allowed the run of the house, and not allowed on the furniture!

18 months later, we have a lovely dog - well-mannered, fun to be around, but happy and secure. And we let her on the sofa now because she's too cute to resist!

I thoroughly recommend this book!

very puppy owner should read this , 19 Oct 2008
I know it is a cliche, but i never write reviews. However, this book is so good i wanted to encourage everyone to buy it.
I bought this book a week before our puppy arrived and it has been an endless source of information, stress relief and enjoyment. It has provided help in ensuring our puppy is happy, well socialised and well trained so she is a pleasure to have around. Even in her most mischievous moments. It is well laid out and easy to understand with step my step guidance. The writer obviously has a lot of experience and relays this in a practical way. I recommend this to anyone who has or will be having a new puppy!!!!

Great book for a first time dog owner, 11 Aug 2008
I bought this book a few weeks before we picked up our springer puppy because I had never owned a dog before and wanted to make sure I did everything right from the start.

This book was a great help, and helped me to understand some simple, yet effective, dog psychology (such as who walks through a door first, when you should feed them etc).

The book is easy to read and helped to give me some confidence when we first got our puppy. I've since passed it on to friends who have also found it useful.

Our dog is now 3 years old, and he's pretty well behaved (particularly for a Springer!), and I would put some of this down to this book as it was a great place to start.

This book has helped to keep me sane!, 25 Jul 2008
We got our puppy 4 weeks ago. Without this book, I would probably have gone crazy. With this book, we have managed to housetrain our puppy in around 3 weeks.
Some really good advice from the book:
1) get a puppy playpen for your puppy. This means that you can keep the puppy somewhere safe so that you don't need to watch it 100% of the time for 16 hours of the day. Otherwise, your puppy will wander all over your house and wee and poo everywhere. Having a puppy pen (NOT a crate) allows you to have a bit more control but still allow your puppy a safe area to play and sleep.
2) the book has a suggested routine for your dog. As this is our first puppy, we literally would not have known when to feed it and when to take it out to meet people and when to let it rest. So the routine was really useful in the first week. After the first week, we established our own routine - but in that first week, it gave us a valuable structure for how to look after our puppy and keep it safe and happy.
There's loads of great advice in this book and we've started teaching our puppy how to sit on command. And we have taught our puppy how to wee and poo in the garden and outside when it goes for walks now - all in just a few weeks thanks to this brilliant book!

The only puppy guide you'll ever need, 19 Apr 2008
We've owned four dogs over the last 25 years but it's nearly 11 years since we last had a puppy and we'd forgotten just how much work they need. Our old guides had been passed out to friends and family but the breeder of our new pup recommended Gwen Bailey's book as a refresher and it really does have everything you need to know in one book, from early socialisation to the first steps in obedience training.
Whether you are getting your first puppy or like us are out of practice, reading this book before you take your new puppy home will prepare you for what you need to do and give a great source of reference throughout the all important first year of its development.

Excellent resource for learning 'pack leadership', 17 May 2008
For those who want to expand their knowledge and abilities with dog leadership skills this book provides valuable tools for achieving that goal. Every episode from Cesar Millan's first 3 series of 'The Dog Whisperer' is reviewed and analysed. This in depth analysis helps to make very real the method which Cesar uses.

Unlike 'dog training' Cesar and others who follow the 'pack system' focus on creating harmony and balance in our dogs. We use our dog's natural and hard wired instincts to create change which allow them to 'be themselves'. This method helps to meet our dogs needs rather than us just getting our needs met when we get love and affection from our dogs.

This book allows us to get a much deeper understanding of the way Cesar uses the 'power of pack leadership' to help create happy balanced dogs. The book also gives follow ups which help to see that even with Cesar's help some dogs and their owners are unable to make the desired changes.

This book provides a valuable guide that is well written and very concise. Whatever breed of dog you have, whatever age and whatever your dogs problems you will find help in the pages of this book.

Awful, 25 Oct 2008
Totally boring this book i'm glad i only paid 40 pence for it at a car boot sale and to be honest it is'nt worth that.

Disappointed, 05 Sep 2008
Like another reviewer, I read Marley & Me (a great book, highly recommended) and thought that Walking Ollie would be on a similar theme. Instead I found it was about a bloke who doesn't particularly like dogs until the last 10 pages and doesn't really have anything nice to say.

Don't get me wrong, the book was well writen and parts were amusing, there were some funny anecdotes, but just as you get to the part where the writer finally bonds with his dog, the book finishes. Really disappointing. It feels like I've read half a story and stopped.

Nice story but......................, 08 Apr 2008
I had just finished a gripping read of "Life With George" which was entertaining from start to finish when I decided that Walking Ollie would be just as great.

I loved the little black and white pictures of Ollie dotted throughout the book, that was a really nice touch but I found the content was a little poor. I just felt that this story could be about anybodies dog, there was nothing really special about it and it didn't grip me.

If you are looking for a short book to read on a lazy Sunday afternoon or by the poolside on holiday and you love dogs, then this is a nice book.

Worth a read if you've got a rescue.., 28 Mar 2008
"Walking Ollie" is an book about the author's experiences having adopted a lurcher pup from a rescue centre. It will definitely strike a chord with anyone who has a rescue dog (myself included) but I'm not sure how much it would be enjoyed by non dog-owners.

Whilst there are moments that could be described as heart-warming, this is not your normal story of the high-jinx and capers that a new puppy brings to the home. Ollie, though very young, has obviously has a rough start in life, and is damaged by it. The book tells the story of the author's frustrated attempts to over come this, and also addresses what to do when the much talked about bond between owner and dog just doesn't appear to be there.

I read this book very quickly, and if I have one criticism, it's that I would have liked it to be longer and to go into more depth from the author's point of view. There are a couple of points that I found really insightful, and wanted to know more. The author is witty and has a dry sense of humour which I would have liked to be allowed to show through more.

To finish, there's been much comment on the author's "prejudice" against labs and their owners. I think this really needs to be taken with a pinch of salt (as he himself says in the book) - I think dog owners all have their gripes with other dog-owners and their pets, it goes with the territory, and I say this as a lab owner. My lab is, in fact, a rescue and - ironically - has a list of behavioural issues as long as your arm. Maybe I should write a book?!

Very enjoyable, 05 Mar 2008
Having read Marley and Me, i was a bit apprehensive about the book, but i found it had been well written and had me in stitches, as some have said it is not as good as Marley and Me, i felt it wrong to compare the two books together, the same as the breeds, Labradors and Lurchers are completely different in looks as well as characteristics, having looked after a friends, who in many respects was like Stephen Foster's. I was able to enjoy this book and understand the trials and tribulations that he went throught with Ollie, and if there is a follow on about Ollie and Dylan it will be a definate buy for me.

Like relaxing in a warm bath...., 25 Oct 2008
Stephen's previous book, Walking Ollie, rekindled my long-lost love affair with reading. He has a style of writing that makes reading as comfortable and as pleasurable as laying in a relaxing warm bath. This style is as evident in Along Came Dylan as it was in Walking Ollie.

Whereas Walking Ollie was chiefly about how getting a particularly quirky dog affected the author, this title is more concerned with how getting a second dog, Dylan, affects his first dog, Ollie.

The antics aren't quite as funny as they were in Walking Ollie, but Stephen's acerbic look at people, particularly fellow dog-owning people, remains as funny as it ever has been.

Aside from the new dog, Dylan, we are also introduced to a few friends and acquaintances of the author, including the pugilistic and comical Philip who appears to insist on ending each sentence with the word 'boy', and Old Stokie who, aside from other things, harbours a particular dislike towards streaky bacon wrapped around prunes with a cocktail stick. Then, of course, there is the chance to read how Ollie has matured since the last title. Readers of the past title will take comfort, I'm sure, in knowing that he is as quirky now as he was when we were first introduced.

Despite the somewhat amusing dynamics between Ollie and Dylan, I personally found the relationship between Stephen and Philip more entertaining, curious, and intriguing than the relationship between the two dogs. I would love to see a book based on the Philip character in the future.

Overall, it's a warm and enjoyable read, but it doesn't quite have the same ingredients that made the Walking Ollie title sparkle so brightly. However, the introduction of the friends, particularly Philip, makes it an equally enjoyable read, but for different reasons. Now I am left waiting for the title "Walking Along With Philip".

If you enjoyed Walking Ollie, there is no doubt that you will enjoy Along Came Dylan too.

Good, but could do better., 09 Apr 2008
Nice book with lots of photos. Unfortunately the much of the information with regard to photos did not mention the breed of birds shown. I would have liked to have more detail in the captions. Some of the specific breeds mentioned had no photo at all. I wasn't interested in the chapter on crafts.
My husband preferred this book to "The Right Way to Keep Chickens" by Virginia Shirt because it was easier to absorb and photo's are much better than drawings. He said it was a good book, I am hard to please!

Not just a picture book -- gave me all I needed to keep chix in the garden, 08 Sep 2007
I was so much more impressed by this book than I thought I would be. I got it as a nice coffee table book, but found out that it is loaded with all the information needed to keep a healthy, happy flock in your garden, whether as pets and enjoyment or for profit.... and gorgeous photos!!

It has a transcontinental flavour (I don't know if the authors are American or British, but the spelling is British and lists of suppliers are provided for both UK & US, etc.) and offers history, breed advice, a very good amount of health and hygiene information, as well as tips on housing and guidelines for feeding, and information on culling and cooking too. Everything you need to make the choice whether or not to have chickens is here -- and I will stress again how lovely the photos are.

Would make a perfect gift for someone you know who is thinking about it and wants some more information and advice.


Excellent, 10 Oct 2008
This is excellent and I would very highly recommended it. Having three Border Collies (two of them rescues with various problems), life could be difficult at times, to say the least. Jan Fennell's approach has been virtually foolproof for us, and in the end we were the ones needing training! If you follow her instructions consistently (and forever), pretty much any unwanted behaviour can be sorted out. I also highly recommend Turid Rugaas' 'On talking terms with dogs - calming signals'; it's an invaluable aid and accompaniment to The Dog Listener.

Dreadful, 28 Aug 2008
This book is evidence that you can fool quite a lot of people quite a lot of the time. There is not a single original idea in it, and Fennel's beliefs arise out of an interpretation of wolf behaviour that is entirely false. If you want the relationship with your dog to be based on oppression and frustration then this is the book for you, otherwise read something else.

Thoroughly inspirational, 11 Apr 2008
I found this book thoroughly inspirational. Jan Fennel has hit on something which simply works. It is purely logical and rational and just from putting things into the dogs perspective allows us to understand how they think and therefore why they sometimes behave the way that they do. I bought the book at the same time as getting a puppy and my 3 month old puppy now walks at heel with no need for a lead (though I still use one) and is a beautifully behaved member of our family.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough!

nothing new, 21 Mar 2008
Jan Fennell has been clever and repackaged old knowledge, she seems to have set her self up as some sort of guru.If a dog pulls on the lead it does not make it an "ALPHA" it just wants to get to the park quickly, if the dog walks by your side does it make it your equal? When you get to the park and you let the dog off the lead and runs around arond in front of you does this make the dog an alpha, no.
So many things wrong with this book i would urge dog owners to do more research.

Fantastic, 04 Feb 2008
I have watched the dog listner on the t.v and found her theories very interesting so purchased her Book. The book is so easy to read with jan sharing her memories of how she started out and her ups and downs not hiding her mistakes. I was in tears during part of the book and fully empathise with her during her experiences. An excellent easy reading book that you can't put down

Doggone fantastic!, 08 Oct 2008
Love Martin Clunes, love dogs, loved his recent documentary about dogs - so all good. This book does tally with the tv programme about history of dogs but the bits I actually enjoyed best are his own personal history with dogs and his present day trials, tribulations and joys with them. Just one thing - I'd love to know how Mary is these days.

All you need for a happy puppy, 07 Nov 2008
This is a great book for a new puppy owner. We bought it when we bought our puppy and followed its advice closely, particularly with regard to toilet training and general 'good manners' - issues like dealing with pack position, territory, food, toys, etc. We were kind but strict early on, just as the book recommends, and made sure that our puppy was put to bed in the same place, not allowed the run of the house, and not allowed on the furniture!

18 months later, we have a lovely dog - well-mannered, fun to be around, but happy and secure. And we let her on the sofa now because she's too cute to resist!

I thoroughly recommend this book!

very puppy owner should read this , 19 Oct 2008
I know it is a cliche, but i never write reviews. However, this book is so good i wanted to encourage everyone to buy it.
I bought this book a week before our puppy arrived and it has been an endless source of information, stress relief and enjoyment. It has provided help in ensuring our puppy is happy, well socialised and well trained so she is a pleasure to have around. Even in her most mischievous moments. It is well laid out and easy to understand with step my step guidance. The writer obviously has a lot of experience and relays this in a practical way. I recommend this to anyone who has or will be having a new puppy!!!!

Great book for a first time dog owner, 11 Aug 2008
I bought this book a few weeks before we picked up our springer puppy because I had never owned a dog before and wanted to make sure I did everything right from the start.

This book was a great help, and helped me to understand some simple, yet effective, dog psychology (such as who walks through a door first, when you should feed them etc).

The book is easy to read and helped to give me some confidence when we first got our puppy. I've since passed it on to friends who have also found it useful.

Our dog is now 3 years old, and he's pretty well behaved (particularly for a Springer!), and I would put some of this down to this book as it was a great place to start.

This book has helped to keep me sane!, 25 Jul 2008
We got our puppy 4 weeks ago. Without this book, I would probably have gone crazy. With this book, we have managed to housetrain our puppy in around 3 weeks.
Some really good advice from the book:
1) get a puppy playpen for your puppy. This means that you can keep the puppy somewhere safe so that you don't need to watch it 100% of the time for 16 hours of the day. Otherwise, your puppy will wander all over your house and wee and poo everywhere. Having a puppy pen (NOT a crate) allows you to have a bit more control but still allow your puppy a safe area to play and sleep.
2) the book has a suggested routine for your dog. As this is our first puppy, we literally would not have known when to feed it and when to take it out to meet people and when to let it rest. So the routine was really useful in the first week. After the first week, we established our own routine - but in that first week, it gave us a valuable structure for how to look after our puppy and keep it safe and happy.
There's loads of great advice in this book and we've started teaching our puppy how to sit on command. And we have taught our puppy how to wee and poo in the garden and outside when it goes for walks now - all in just a few weeks thanks to this brilliant book!

The only puppy guide you'll ever need, 19 Apr 2008
We've owned four dogs over the last 25 years but it's nearly 11 years since we last had a puppy and we'd forgotten just how much work they need. Our old guides had been passed out to friends and family but the breeder of our new pup recommended Gwen Bailey's book as a refresher and it really does have everything you need to know in one book, from early socialisation to the first steps in obedience training.
Whether you are getting your first puppy or like us are out of practice, reading this book before you take your new puppy home will prepare you for what you need to do and give a great source of reference throughout the all important first year of its development.

Excellent resource for learning 'pack leadership', 17 May 2008
For those who want to expand their knowledge and abilities with dog leadership skills this book provides valuable tools for achieving that goal. Every episode from Cesar Millan's first 3 series of 'The Dog Whisperer' is reviewed and analysed. This in depth analysis helps to make very real the method which Cesar uses.

Unlike 'dog training' Cesar and others who follow the 'pack system' focus on creating harmony and balance in our dogs. We use our dog's natural and hard wired instincts to create change which allow them to 'be themselves'. This method helps to meet our dogs needs rather than us just getting our needs met when we get love and affection from our dogs.

This book allows us to get a much deeper understanding of the way Cesar uses the 'power of pack leadership' to help create happy balanced dogs. The book also gives follow ups which help to see that even with Cesar's help some dogs and their owners are unable to make the desired changes.

This book provides a valuable guide that is well written and very concise. Whatever breed of dog you have, whatever age and whatever your dogs problems you will find help in the pages of this book.

Awful, 25 Oct 2008
Totally boring this book i'm glad i only paid 40 pence for it at a car boot sale and to be honest it is'nt worth that.

Disappointed, 05 Sep 2008
Like another reviewer, I read Marley & Me (a great book, highly recommended) and thought that Walking Ollie would be on a similar theme. Instead I found it was about a bloke who doesn't particularly like dogs until the last 10 pages and doesn't really have anything nice to say.

Don't get me wrong, the book was well writen and parts were amusing, there were some funny anecdotes, but just as you get to the part where the writer finally bonds with his dog, the book finishes. Really disappointing. It feels like I've read half a story and stopped.

Nice story but......................, 08 Apr 2008
I had just finished a gripping read of "Life With George" which was entertaining from start to finish when I decided that Walking Ollie would be just as great.

I loved the little black and white pictures of Ollie dotted throughout the book, that was a really nice touch but I found the content was a little poor. I just felt that this story could be about anybodies dog, there was nothing really special about it and it didn't grip me.

If you are looking for a short book to read on a lazy Sunday afternoon or by the poolside on holiday and you love dogs, then this is a nice book.

Worth a read if you've got a rescue.., 28 Mar 2008
"Walking Ollie" is an book about the author's experiences having adopted a lurcher pup from a rescue centre. It will definitely strike a chord with anyone who has a rescue dog (myself included) but I'm not sure how much it would be enjoyed by non dog-owners.

Whilst there are moments that could be described as heart-warming, this is not your normal story of the high-jinx and capers that a new puppy brings to the home. Ollie, though very young, has obviously has a rough start in life, and is damaged by it. The book tells the story of the author's frustrated attempts to over come this, and also addresses what to do when the much talked about bond between owner and dog just doesn't appear to be there.

I read this book very quickly, and if I have one criticism, it's that I would have liked it to be longer and to go into more depth from the author's point of view. There are a couple of points that I found really insightful, and wanted to know more. The author is witty and has a dry sense of humour which I would have liked to be allowed to show through more.

To finish, there's been much comment on the author's "prejudice" against labs and their owners. I think this really needs to be taken with a pinch of salt (as he himself says in the book) - I think dog owners all have their gripes with other dog-owners and their pets, it goes with the territory, and I say this as a lab owner. My lab is, in fact, a rescue and - ironically - has a list of behavioural issues as long as your arm. Maybe I should write a book?!

Very enjoyable, 05 Mar 2008
Having read Marley and Me, i was a bit apprehensive about the book, but i found it had been well written and had me in stitches, as some have said it is not as good as Marley and Me, i felt it wrong to compare the two books together, the same as the breeds, Labradors and Lurchers are completely different in looks as well as characteristics, having looked after a friends, who in many respects was like Stephen Foster's. I was able to enjoy this book and understand the trials and tribulations that he went throught with Ollie, and if there is a follow on about Ollie and Dylan it will be a definate buy for me.

Like relaxing in a warm bath...., 25 Oct 2008
Stephen's previous book, Walking Ollie, rekindled my long-lost love affair with reading. He has a style of writing that makes reading as comfortable and as pleasurable as laying in a relaxing warm bath. This style is as evident in Along Came Dylan as it was in Walking Ollie.

Whereas Walking Ollie was chiefly about how getting a particularly quirky dog affected the author, this title is more concerned with how getting a second dog, Dylan, affects his first dog, Ollie.

The antics aren't quite as funny as they were in Walking Ollie, but Stephen's acerbic look at people, particularly fellow dog-owning people, remains as funny as it ever has been.

Aside from the new dog, Dylan, we are also introduced to a few friends and acquaintances of the author, including the pugilistic and comical Philip who appears to insist on ending each sentence with the word 'boy', and Old Stokie who, aside from other things, harbours a particular dislike towards streaky bacon wrapped around prunes with a cocktail stick. Then, of course, there is the chance to read how Ollie has matured since the last title. Readers of the past title will take comfort, I'm sure, in knowing that he is as quirky now as he was when we were first introduced.

Despite the somewhat amusing dynamics between Ollie and Dylan, I personally found the relationship between Stephen and Philip more entertaining, curious, and intriguing than the relationship between the two dogs. I would love to see a book based on the Philip character in the future.

Overall, it's a warm and enjoyable read, but it doesn't quite have the same ingredients that made the Walking Ollie title sparkle so brightly. However, the introduction of the friends, particularly Philip, makes it an equally enjoyable read, but for different reasons. Now I am left waiting for the title "Walking Along With Philip".

If you enjoyed Walking Ollie, there is no doubt that you will enjoy Along Came Dylan too.

Good, but could do better., 09 Apr 2008
Nice book with lots of photos. Unfortunately the much of the information with regard to photos did not mention the breed of birds shown. I would have liked to have more detail in the captions. Some of the specific breeds mentioned had no photo at all. I wasn't interested in the chapter on crafts.
My husband preferred this book to "The Right Way to Keep Chickens" by Virginia Shirt because it was easier to absorb and photo's are much better than drawings. He said it was a good book, I am hard to please!

Not just a picture book -- gave me all I needed to keep chix in the garden, 08 Sep 2007
I was so much more impressed by this book than I thought I would be. I got it as a nice coffee table book, but found out that it is loaded with all the information needed to keep a healthy, happy flock in your garden, whether as pets and enjoyment or for profit.... and gorgeous photos!!

It has a transcontinental flavour (I don't know if the authors are American or British, but the spelling is British and lists of suppliers are provided for both UK & US, etc.) and offers history, breed advice, a very good amount of health and hygiene information, as well as tips on housing and guidelines for feeding, and information on culling and cooking too. Everything you need to make the choice whether or not to have chickens is here -- and I will stress again how lovely the photos are.

Would make a perfect gift for someone you know who is thinking about it and wants some more information and advice.


Excellent, 10 Oct 2008
This is excellent and I would very highly recommended it. Having three Border Collies (two of them rescues with various problems), life could be difficult at times, to say the least. Jan Fennell's approach has been virtually foolproof for us, and in the end we were the ones needing training! If you follow her instructions consistently (and forever), pretty much any unwanted behaviour can be sorted out. I also highly recommend Turid Rugaas' 'On talking terms with dogs - calming signals'; it's an invaluable aid and accompaniment to The Dog Listener.

Dreadful, 28 Aug 2008
This book is evidence that you can fool quite a lot of people quite a lot of the time. There is not a single original idea in it, and Fennel's beliefs arise out of an interpretation of wolf behaviour that is entirely false. If you want the relationship with your dog to be based on oppression and frustration then this is the book for you, otherwise read something else.

Thoroughly inspirational, 11 Apr 2008
I found this book thoroughly inspirational. Jan Fennel has hit on something which simply works. It is purely logical and rational and just from putting things into the dogs perspective allows us to understand how they think and therefore why they sometimes behave the way that they do. I bought the book at the same time as getting a puppy and my 3 month old puppy now walks at heel with no need for a lead (though I still use one) and is a beautifully behaved member of our family.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough!

nothing new, 21 Mar 2008
Jan Fennell has been clever and repackaged old knowledge, she seems to have set her self up as some sort of guru.If a dog pulls on the lead it does not make it an "ALPHA" it just wants to get to the park quickly, if the dog walks by your side does it make it your equal? When you get to the park and you let the dog off the lead and runs around arond in front of you does this make the dog an alpha, no.
So many things wrong with this book i would urge dog owners to do more research.

Fantastic, 04 Feb 2008
I have watched the dog listner on the t.v and found her theories very interesting so purchased her Book. The book is so easy to read with jan sharing her memories of how she started out and her ups and downs not hiding her mistakes. I was in tears during part of the book and fully empathise with her during her experiences. An excellent easy reading book that you can't put down

Buy this book!, 13 Aug 2008
This book is really good! It's the only puppy book I bought before getting my ridgeback puppy and after applying the principles that the book outlines he is an angel. He never chewed a thing and was toilet trained within 2 weeks. Stuffing kongs and cage training are fantastic ways to ensure your puppy is happy when alone and this book covers these and many more handy hints. Buy it today if you plan to get a puppy or dog for that matter!



Brilliant for before you have your pooch!!, 06 Jul 2008
Brilliant, we're getting a lab puppy in a few months and I got this to read beforehand. It is brilliant, gret tips on what to look for when picking your puppy and great tips that would never have even considered. Written by a man whom idolises his dogs-I am excited to put my new skills to the test on our lab when we get him! Great buy and so easy to read, Natalie

Highly recommended! , 28 Aug 2007
I have read many, many dog books as I have undertaken several courses in canine behaviour and training. This is the book I recommend anyone getting a puppy to buy. It's easy to read, provides practical information on training and is based on positive methods. If you're thinking of getting a puppy, or have one already, this book is truly brilliant!

A charming read, 21 Oct 2006
I purchased this book as a present for a friend. He has since told me it was an easy read, with a lot of information he had never even heard of, prior to reading this book. The illustrations and layout are appealing. All-in-all, a worthwhile book to get, concerning what to do BEFORE, and AFTER getting your puppy!

Brilliant........., 31 Jan 2006
I made the mistake of not buying this book before i got a puppy. Having read it, i am now trying to correct the things i have done wrong. With out this book as a guide, i think i would have been in deep trouble. Now my puppy is adjusting to family life and i can see an improvement, especially with toilet training. This book is money well spent.

Doggone fantastic!, 08 Oct 2008
Love Martin Clunes, love dogs, loved his recent documentary about dogs - so all good. This book does tally with the tv programme about history of dogs but the bits I actually enjoyed best are his own personal history with dogs and his present day trials, tribulations and joys with them. Just one thing - I'd love to know how Mary is these days.

All you need for a happy puppy, 07 Nov 2008
This is a great book for a new puppy owner. We bought it when we bought our puppy and followed its advice closely, particularly with regard to toilet training and general 'good manners' - issues like dealing with pack position, territory, food, toys, etc. We were kind but strict early on, just as the book recommends, and made sure that our puppy was put to bed in the same place, not allowed the run of the house, and not allowed on the furniture!

18 months later, we have a lovely dog - well-mannered, fun to be around, but happy and secure. And we let her on the sofa now because she's too cute to resist!

I thoroughly recommend this book!

very puppy owner should read this , 19 Oct 2008
I know it is a cliche, but i never write reviews. However, this book is so good i wanted to encourage everyone to buy it.
I bought this book a week before our puppy arrived and it has been an endless source of information, stress relief and enjoyment. It has provided help in ensuring our puppy is happy, well socialised and well trained so she is a pleasure to have around. Even in her most mischievous moments. It is well laid out and easy to understand with step my step guidance. The writer obviously has a lot of experience and relays this in a practical way. I recommend this to anyone who has or will be having a new puppy!!!!

Great book for a first time dog owner, 11 Aug 2008
I bought this book a few weeks before we picked up our springer puppy because I had never owned a dog before and wanted to make sure I did everything right from the start.

This book was a great help, and helped me to understand some simple, yet effective, dog psychology (such as who walks through a door first, when you should feed them etc).

The book is easy to read and helped to give me some confidence when we first got our puppy. I've since passed it on to friends who have also found it useful.

Our dog is now 3 years old, and he's pretty well behaved (particularly for a Springer!), and I would put some of this down to this book as it was a great place to start.

This book has helped to keep me sane!, 25 Jul 2008
We got our puppy 4 weeks ago. Without this book, I would probably have gone crazy. With this book, we have managed to housetrain our puppy in around 3 weeks.
Some really good advice from the book:
1) get a puppy playpen for your puppy. This means that you can keep the puppy somewhere safe so that you don't need to watch it 100% of the time for 16 hours of the day. Otherwise, your puppy will wander all over your house and wee and poo everywhere. Having a puppy pen (NOT a crate) allows you to have a bit more control but still allow your puppy a safe area to play and sleep.
2) the book has a suggested routine for your dog. As this is our first puppy, we literally would not have known when to feed it and when to take it out to meet people and when to let it rest. So the routine was really useful in the first week. After the first week, we established our own routine - but in that first week, it gave us a valuable structure for how to look after our puppy and keep it safe and happy.
There's loads of great advice in this book and we've started teaching our puppy how to sit on command. And we have taught our puppy how to wee and poo in the garden and outside when it goes for walks now - all in just a few weeks thanks to this brilliant book!

The only puppy guide you'll ever need, 19 Apr 2008
We've owned four dogs over the last 25 years but it's nearly 11 years since we last had a puppy and we'd forgotten just how much work they need. Our old guides had been passed out to friends and family but the breeder of our new pup recommended Gwen Bailey's book as a refresher and it really does have everything you need to know in one book, from early socialisation to the first steps in obedience training.
Whether you are getting your first puppy or like us are out of practice, reading this book before you take your new puppy home will prepare you for what you need to do and give a great source of reference throughout the all important first year of its development.

Excellent resource for learning 'pack leadership', 17 May 2008
For those who want to expand their knowledge and abilities with dog leadership skills this book provides valuable tools for achieving that goal. Every episode from Cesar Millan's first 3 series of 'The Dog Whisperer' is reviewed and analysed. This in depth analysis helps to make very real the method which Cesar uses.

Unlike 'dog training' Cesar and others who follow the 'pack system' focus on creating harmony and balance in our dogs. We use our dog's natural and hard wired instincts to create change which allow them to 'be themselves'. This method helps to meet our dogs needs rather than us just getting our needs met when we get love and affection from our dogs.

This book allows us to get a much deeper understanding of the way Cesar uses the 'power of pack leadership' to help create happy balanced dogs. The book also gives follow ups which help to see that even with Cesar's help some dogs and their owners are unable to make the desired changes.

This book provides a valuable guide that is well written and very concise. Whatever breed of dog you have, whatever age and whatever your dogs problems you will find help in the pages of this book.

Awful, 25 Oct 2008
Totally boring this book i'm glad i only paid 40 pence for it at a car boot sale and to be honest it is'nt worth that.

Disappointed, 05 Sep 2008
Like another reviewer, I read Marley & Me (a great book, highly recommended) and thought that Walking Ollie would be on a similar theme. Instead I found it was about a bloke who doesn't particularly like dogs until the last 10 pages and doesn't really have anything nice to say.

Don't get me wrong, the book was well writen and parts were amusing, there were some funny anecdotes, but just as you get to the part where the writer finally bonds with his dog, the book finishes. Really disappointing. It feels like I've read half a story and stopped.

Nice story but......................, 08 Apr 2008
I had just finished a gripping read of "Life With George" which was entertaining from start to finish when I decided that Walking Ollie would be just as great.

I loved the little black and white pictures of Ollie dotted throughout the book, that was a really nice touch but I found the content was a little poor. I just felt that this story could be about anybodies dog, there was nothing really special about it and it didn't grip me.

If you are looking for a short book to read on a lazy Sunday afternoon or by the poolside on holiday and you love dogs, then this is a nice book.

Worth a read if you've got a rescue.., 28 Mar 2008
"Walking Ollie" is an book about the author's experiences having adopted a lurcher pup from a rescue centre. It will definitely strike a chord with anyone who has a rescue dog (myself included) but I'm not sure how much it would be enjoyed by non dog-owners.

Whilst there are moments that could be described as heart-warming, this is not your normal story of the high-jinx and capers that a new puppy brings to the home. Ollie, though very young, has obviously has a rough start in life, and is damaged by it. The book tells the story of the author's frustrated attempts to over come this, and also addresses what to do when the much talked about bond between owner and dog just doesn't appear to be there.

I read this book very quickly, and if I have one criticism, it's that I would have li