Canine Courtesy: Step-by-Step Solutions for Training Your Dog

"I don't want you jumping on me, no, not much! I don't want you chewing shoes up, no, not much!" Yes, dog-owners, if you've ever found yourself crooning these commands to your pooch, it might be time for some "official" training sessions. Those canine capers are among the behaviors addressed in this short video; others include barking, jumping, "play" biting, proper "elimination" routines, leash walking, heeling, sitting and staying. Trainer Mark Thompson devotes perhaps 1-5 minutes to each misbehavior, which is sufficient in some cases, but far too skimpy in others. Of particular note to libraries, the section on housebreaking is entirely dependent upon the patron having in hand and filling out an individualized "housebreaking custom schedule" (impractical and unnecessarily complex). Also, Thompson does not provide an outline of the initial, basic steps that need to be followed in all learning sessions; his training regime includes hand signals, for instance, but he does not even mention them until about half way through the tape, nor does he immediately tell us that the phrase "you're through" signals the end of a learning session. He is good about stressing the need for repetition, praise, and consistency; providing training time-guidelines; and demonstrating clearly, but the tape's inconsistencies and short-shrifts make Raising Your Dog with the Monks of New Skete (VL-9/97) or Train Your Dog Before Your Dog Trains You (VL-9/91) better choices. Aud: J, H, P. (K. Glaser)