A Member Of The Family

July 7, 2011 5:48 pm | By Zootoo Editor Flinn D.

In A Member of the Family, Oscar Millan, the bestselling author of Cesar’s Way and Be the Pack Leader shows you and your family how to select a dog that is right for you and your lifestyle, and then train that dog to be a full-fledged member of your family.

One of the nicest aspects of A Member of the Family is that the book doesn’t read like a number of other dry, how-to manuals that are cluttering the shelves of stores these days. Instead, Millan has packed the pages with cute and inspiring stories from his years of experience as a trainer, dog owner and dog lover.

Also, if you haven’t read one of Millan’s books before, A Member of the Family is an ideal place to start. Not only will you benefit from his encyclopedic knowledge of dog breeds and their various personalities, but you will also be entertained by his light, humorous touch and anecdotal flare when describing dogs’ interactions with their human families.

The book begins with a rundown of dos and don’ts when selecting your dog, signs to look for when determining if the dog you want is healthy, and places to go to adopt a dog if you decide to go that route. Millan then takes you through what you can expect as you bring the dog into your family, especially as the pooch starts to interact with your children. Millan’s insight is invaluable here, as surely many dog owners have moments where they wonder if their dog is ever going to really bond with their family. Millan advocates a firm hand when it comes to keeping your dog in line, believing that it is best for both family and dog, and gives many tips on how to let the dog know that you are boss.

Simply put, for a basic, easy-to-read introduction to integrating your four-legged family members successfully with your two-legged ones, A Member of the Family is an invaluable resource.

Pros: Entertaining and humorous tone; easy-to-read, informative resource.

Cons: None.