ASPCA Complete Dog Training Manual

First published in Great Britain, this photogenic twin of the author's ASPCA Complete Dog Care Manual illustrates the differences between American and British approaches to dog training. Whereas classic American trainers like the Monks of New Skete focus on the psychology of dog/human interactions, Fogle briskly marches the reader through no-nonsense training procedures as each spread of his book is devoted to a different practical concern (e.g., ``Early Learning,'' ``Basic Equipment,'' ``Assessing Temperament,'' ``Fear Biting''). His techniques, which emphasize positive reinforcement and patience, are solid and clearly explained, with none of the hand-holding found in most other ``complete'' manuals. Woe betide the typical novice who needs immediate help with a typically rambunctious puppy--the information here, organized in bytes and paired with photos in the typical Dorling Kindersley style, will be difficult to assimilate, and the techniques are not quite as easy to implement as the text suggests (witness the six-step program to control a dog's barking). However, dog owners with some grasp of training fundamentals will find this presentation convenient and (with 350 photographs) handsome. (May)