How to Get Your Dog to Do What You Want: A Loving Approach to Unleashing Your Dog's Astonishing Potential

Pop psychology and greeting-card effusiveness thickly pad the excellent training tips in this manual. Warren Eckstein, host of a syndicated radio program called The Pet Show, and a monthly visitor to TV's Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee, and his wife (who disappears in the first-person-singular prose) urge readers to aid their dogs in the incalculably important tasks of ``image-and confidence-building'' and in developing ``self-esteem'' and ``inner strength.'' It's hard to take seriously both the admonitions against ``spreading gossip'' about the family pet and the suggestions that readers tape-record themselves practicing ``various types of woofs'' (to improve their fluency in dog-speak) and equip their homes with a ``doggy gym or physical fitness center.'' There's also some tiresome name-dropping of celebrity clients and a little name-brand-dropping. But those who persevere will find helpful discussions about introducing a second pet or a new baby into the household; remedies for excessive barking and other unwanted behaviors; and sound training principles. Photos not seen by PW. (Oct.)