How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond
Review by ForsakenPhantasm : Fantastic for dog owners of all ages!

I've had dogs since the day I was born, and although I've been through dog training and behaviorist classes, doggie daycare training, worked at an animal sanctuary and more, I've been overwhelmed with the amount of information that I still didn't know! This book has given me a lot of information that I would have otherwise not even thought of, but now seems like it should have been obvious. It's helped me understand my two little rescue dogs even more, and wish that I could go back with my other rescues and start over from the time we brought them home, knowing what I do now.

Even if you don't raise your dogs from the time they're puppies (none of my last few dogs have been babies), it's really interesting and useful to read what Cesar has to say about raising puppies into adolescence. It's helped me to realize why my dogs are the way they are. With rescues, you don't always know where they're coming from, but understanding the natural psychology of a dog as it grows and matures really helps to piece it together enough to help them become the wonderful, balanced dogs you want them to be.

It's also, in general, just nice to understand dogs at various ages so you can handle them even better, be it a friend's dog or just to ease any irrational fears you may have of these animals, as fear is often abolished with the power of knowledge. Since I've read this book, my dog handling skills with other people's dogs have also greatly improved (I watch Dog Whisperer and have Cesar's instructional dvds as well, but this book goes into detail he can't squeeze into a tv show). I highly recommend this book for everyone.

How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond
Review by Lynsee Smith : Living Proof it works!

Her name is Piper ... she's a Miniature Pincer and she is the unparalleled love of my life. I bought her from my sister when she was 6 weeks old and even when I walked into the living room and found her tugging vigorously on the corner of the carpet which she'd pulled back all the way from the kitchen to the sofa ... I forced myself to remember the mantra "What would Cesar Do?"

Now she's a big girl (well, big for a mini pin) and everywhere I go I am complimented on what a truly great dog she is. Every home or apartment I've rented since I bought her has agreed to write a letter of recommendation about what a great and non-destructive dog she is. Every roomie I've had has fallen so madly in love with her that some of them have actually wanted to visit her after I've moved. My brother bought her brother and constantly insists that I must have gotten the best dog of the litter because she is so much more well behaved than his dog ... I haven't the heart to tell him it's because of how differently they were raised. I can tell her to stop begging for food and she walks away, I can point to a spot and she goes there and sits down, I can tell her to go to her room and she'll open her kennel door with her nose, go inside and lay down. But she's a happy, energetic, full of life, healthy dog! At the dog park people are constantly asking me how I get her to listen so well, how she can be the only dog walking around smelling the ground and minding her own business without bugging every other dog and owner in the park. She never gets in fights, her tail is always up, her body language is comfortable, she's friendly to everyone who approaches her and her breed standard she doesn't yap, in fact she hardly barks at all and when I say stop, she stops immediately.

I have the Perfect Dog thanks to Cesar.

How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond
Review by Cory Bagozzi "Chelsea" : Great book, Cesar is fabulous!

I really liked this book. I found it very informative. As a huge fan of rescuing and also as a knowledgable person when it comes to responsible breeding, I was so glad Cesar put a chapter in dedicated to rescue and finding a good, reputable breeder. There is so much information that 95% of all people have no clue about. The majority of all people don't know the difference between a responsible breeder and a back yard breeder. I am so glad Cesar is getting the word out so we can stop the overbreeding of dogs and stop the over crowding in shelters around the country. The one thing I didn't like, was how he raised the dogs with another pack of dogs. Most people aren't going to have a nice big garage dedicated to their dogs where they all sleep together cozy and warm. It would have been nice to see how to raise a puppy, as the only dog in the house. Other than that, great info, really recommend the book to anyone thinking about getting a puppy.

How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond
Review by Shanna Early "Shanna Early" : What I've Been Waiting For

This book is great--very informative, positive, and practical. I would recommend this book to anyone who is thinking about getting a puppy. As an experienced animal handler, I feel that this book is a great guide for the beginner and experienced alike. Among the things that I find particularly useful are the careful, step-by-step instructions, specific examples from puppies that Millan raised while working on this book, discussions from experienced breeders and dog trainers, and an extensive appendix of suggestions for further reading. The only thing not in the book that I would have loved would be a more thorough discussion of integrating the new puppy into a home that has older dogs already. While there is some discussion of this, it is not enough to provide the guidance I really would like.

While some dog trainers will denounce Millan's methods as archaic and harsh, I would encourage readers to keep an open mind. While Millan does not employ a positive-reinforcement-only approach--which is what many of his detractors prefer--his methods are gentle and concerned only with the well-being of the dog. His methods have made a huge difference in my life and in my dog's life. She is happier and more balanced when I follow Millan's formula. Everyone who meets her comments on how well-behaved she is and takes great pleasure in petting and playing with her--even people who are typically frightened of dogs or just uncomfortable around them. As a high-energy, alpha-type dog, I don't believe that would be the case if I had not followed Millan's methods; for my strong-willed dog, positive reinforcement is only sometimes a strong enough motivation to encourage the behaviors I want, but discipline coupled with positive reinforcement is exactly what she needs.