I don't particularly approve of animals doing "tricks" & have always had misgivings about that. However, this book uses the "tricks" (I use inverted commas because it starts with SIT, DOWN, COME and so on, which we would not usualy call tricks, but are the building blocks)to build a better bond between you and your dog - and thats the whole ethos to the authors method. The "tricks" are so clearly set out and explained from the basics, & go step by step to the result - even to providing troubleshooting hints. The book makes clear that the key is patience and affection and that your dog absolutely must be having fun. They make no pretence that you'll get instant results (though it depends on what your dog already likes doing - we perfected an "Advanced" trick in 3 days, because it built on a behaviour our dog already enjoys) The photography is vibrant and a sheer joy in itself - the photographer is an award winner, and it really is easy to see why. We achieved our first "trick" out of the book which involved me, our dog and my daughter (see the idea? - real bonding stuff with your dog & family) in three days - with our dog just having a real sheer fun time and plainly loving it) and ending up doing something like a circus trick!(page 110).
I read this book in our local library and just had to buy a copy. I've NEVER in 30 years of dog ownership, found a book which is so clearly laid out, realistic and based on mutual affection in it's methods. The whole family is having fun with it - and most of all our dog is! I wish I could find a fault with this to give a balanced review... but I can't!