Who's the Boss?

by Val Bonney

Reviewed by Garry Somerville.
Rating outstanding

This 100 page soft covered book on how to raise and educate a puppy is a must for first dog buyers. In fact getting a puppy without reading it is irresponsible. Written by an experienced expert on all aspects of training, Val also runs an obedience school for dogs in Brisbane and is a full panel judge with the Queensland Canine Control Council. From cover to cover with dozens of line drawings which tell the story, puppy owners are able to easily learn how to bond and raise an obedient canine pal the correct way.

It is a real gem and one can constantly refer to it when a problem arises... and BINGO it's solved. Throughout this exciting book Val explains all about dog behaviour and why puppies do things. In short, in two hours, you too can learn to be an expert and responsible dog owner.

I found nothing to criticise in this masterpiece and say without hesitation no-one will find fault with this precious book.

Garry Somerville is a hard hitting Dog Columnist of many years experience.
In addition, he is a full panel Obedience Judge with the Australian National Kennel Council, a successfull obedience trialer, having taken 6 dogs to the highest obedience level of Utility Dog (UD).
He holds a record of having won 189 trials with the one dog (a Golden Retriever).
As a columnist for many newspapers and animal magazines he has interviewed Tommy Smith and the Roycroft family (1996 Olympics) of horse fame, he has studied Hunt Away & Sheep Dog training and trialing in New Zealand, interviewed and written about goats & cats.
He is the chief instructor of the Manly and District Dog Obedience Club in New South Wales, and has judged at most Royal National Shows in Australia.
He says of himself, that he is a dog behaviour fanatic.

Without understanding the dog, how can you expect to train and have an obedient dog!

Who's the Boss?
by Val Bonney

Reviewed by Honey Gross-Richardson

This simple question is among the first I ask folks who contact me for help with their problems. Then some time is spent explaining how wonderful bosses can be! A bossy dog is not a bad dog - he just does not have anyone else in the pack to take over leadership!

Far too many new owners are so overwhelmed with the joy, the work and the responsibilities of bringing home and settling in a new puppy, that they simply forget a lot of the advice given by the breeder, centred around feeding and house training and other important advice to prepare them for life with their dog. For the owner not to be the packleader can lead to many problems in the interactions between dog and man, woman, and child!

So, when a slim volume picturing a charming lady and a group of dogs appeared on my desk, asking the reader: Who's the BOSS? Knowing, understanding and living with your dog. I couldn't wait to see what the author, Val Bonney had to tell us. Flipping through the pages, I knew this would not be just another book to be perused once and relegated to the far corner of the shelf, gathering dust and to be soon forgotten.

This, I found is a book with impact! A clear message and helpful advice to every new dog owner. Perhaps quite an eye opener to some of our old hands too! This book gives us a clear understanding of what makes a dog tick, easy to follow advice for everyday situations and simple remedies for some evergreen problems.

Who's the BOSS? covers, among other things, pack structures, body language, behaviour and puppy management, all presented in a well illustrated, concise style. I congratulate the author, Val Bonney, on bringing us an easy to read, easy to understand guide to better dog management. It tells the reader how to gain a good understanding of his companion dog and how to be in control.

To our breeder friends, I highly recommend this book as reading material to use as a basis for the "puppy talks", the valuable everyday living advice given to all new dog owners.

It certainly has my highest recommendation to all Dog Training Clubs as it does not go against any training methods used, but simply helps to prevent problems, guides owners into a better understanding of their dogs and ask the ever important question: Who's the BOSS?

To new dog owners everywhere, whether living with your first dog or your third, this is the book that should be on your lap when you have a quiet moment, it will help to achieve harmony in the family and is especially valuable to couples with young children. I am happy to recommend it!

Honey Gross-Richardson (member of the Executive Committee of the German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia & Chairperson of the Obedience Sub Committee.

New.  Just received.  April 2009.

Have just re-read the book "Who's the Boss?"  I stumbled on this book some 5 years ago, just before I bought my 2 Staffy's.  It has been a godsend to us as a family.  Everyone we know passes comment on how well behaved our dogs are, and this I attribute totally to what I learnt from your book.  I have owned dogs before, but your understanding,and compassion in all that it takes to own a dog, is amazing and is expressed in this book.  It should be made Mandatory for all those who own, or want to own a dog.

Beth

JUST RECEIVED.  APRIL 2009.

Just thought I would drop you a quick line to tell you I have followed your book to the "T" and our little puppy is a fabulous little chap who is very happy and very good - still learning, but I am definitely the boss.

Thank you so much for the advice given.  I am so happy I was given your name and the name of the book.  Couldn't find it here in Victoria but took the time to phone you.   SO GLAD. 

Suzy..