When I was a little girl, my mother wanted me to be an actress because I had naturally curly hair like Shirley Temple. But back as far as I can remember, I wanted to be a writer and a dog trainer. I didn’t think of those two things coming together, but years later, after I had become a dog trainer, I began to write about dogs. And many articles, columns and books later, when I decided to write my first mystery, I gave a dog a co-starring role.
You may know some of my Rachel Alexander and Dash mysteries – Fall Guy, Without a Word, This Dog For Hire, The Hard Way. And you may have read one or more of my dog books, Mother Knows Best, Second-Hand Dog, Dog Training in Ten Minutes, Dog Smart, an all graphic dog training ebook, or Do Border Collies Dream of Sheep?, written with Denise Wall, now available in print or as an ebook. If so, I hope you liked them. If not, I hope you’ll give them a try. Either way, come back often. I’ll do my very best to make it worth your while.
Carol Lea Benjamin on Dogs 
I was wondering if there are any more Rachel Alexander books in your head? I am closing out the year rereading, for the third time, Dash P.I. Earlier today I finished This Dog For Hire and promptly started in on The Dog Who Knew Too Much. I have read the other books featuring Rachel and Dashiell and enjoyed them immensely. I’m disappointed when a really good female mystery writer ceases to provide my insatiable need for crime fiction.
Carol, I started reading you years ago in AKC Gazette and fell in love with your family. At the time you were married and had a GSD (Scarlet) and a Shiba Inu (Lefty). I lost track of all of you and just found you again. Yippy!
Any advice about the Shiba Inu breed? I’m thinking of rescuing one from our local shelter.
Dear Sue,
Please don’t blame the authors. Authors rarely turn down the opportunity to make a living doing what they love to do. When a mystery series ends, it’s almost always the publisher’s decision. It means the books have not met their financial expectations. As they say in the Mafia, it’s just business.
Such a shame. Wondering what Rachel and Dash are up to.
Rachel and Dash are still living in the back cottage and Rachel is still solving crimes, with help from Dash, but I am no longer recording their exploits. Thank you for liking the series enough to care!!!
I have just ‘discovered’ your Rachel and Dash books and am grabbing up any I can find. So sad to hear that you are not contemplating more novels. Love, love, your style! Can I suggest you find another publisher? I am sure you have an audience—-it is just a matter of finding them.
Thanks so much! I’m working on something very special right now – I’m going to self publish a graphic dog training book for e-readers. I’m very, very excited about it. It should be available in a month or a little more. I’ll announce it on the blog. Hope you like!
As for the mysteries, there are nine. I hope you like them all!
Dear Mrs Benjamin,
please continue the Rachel Alexander Series. You don’t need a publisher – publish them yourselves – as e-Books, here on your site.
Helge –
An Avid Fan from Germany
Dear Helge, I am so pleased that you like the Rachel books. I will consider your suggestion. Thanks, Carol
Is there any chance that the first 3 will be released as ebooks? I like to start a series at the beginning.
And number 6, The Long Good Boy, is not in ebook?
The Long Good Boy is the only book in the series, as far as I know, that’s out of print. The others are all available as paperbacks and some as e-books. The publishers do not usually make authors privy to their decisions, but I will try to do something about The Long Good Boy which is a total hoot and a seriously good story. The books really do stand alone and can be read in any order, though I can see that it would be fun to read them in the order they were written, too.
I have a wonderful rescue puppy (poodle/terrier we think) about one year old or so who is nearly 100% potty trained, sleeps easily in her crate at night, does a pretty great heel on our walks, is mostly wanting to please and is mostly doing great. She still will growl at male strangers and other dogs we meet. She did better at a dog park off leash but what should I be doing to get her more comfortable with dogs we meet as we are walking and who are on leash…?
Hey, Deborah,
More time in the dog park with lots of praise for getting along. More socialization. When you can, like with friends, ask men to sit and see if your pup will approach. The sitting person should remain passive and let your the dog determine how much she can do. Try her with dogs her size or smaller. Praise bravery. Have lots of patience. And train her – learning new things will make her more confident. Good luck!
P.S. I love your books — Mother Knows and Second Hand Dog
I so love your new book, Do Border Collies Dream of Sheep!
I raised my very dominant little Westie puppy, Gus, with your book,
Mother Knows Best, and he is as sweet, affectionate, social and in tune with me as a dog could be…and so much that you wrote about Flash and Sky reminded me of my pup (AFTER he was socialized by us). The little tiny puppy who had latched onto my pant leg, did not want to be held, didn’t kiss, now looks at me and we both know…we belong to each other.
Thanks so much, Cyndy. And thanks to the moon and back for the wonderful review you gave the DO BORDER COLLIES DREAM OF SHEEP? on Amazon. I hope everyone who comes here will go there and read it. You had me in tears – it’s such an incredible feeling to know someone got precisely what Denise and I were saying. Thanks bunches. And so glad to hear that Mother Knows Best was just the ticket for your little Gus.
Hi Carol! What fun to find your website…l picked up your book “Mother Knows Best” by happenstance at a library sale, and started to read it. We’ll be adding a puppy to our family soon, so I wanted to do some preparation for training him. He will be a companion for our 12 year old son, and also my partner in exploring agility/freestyle. At the same time, I have been watching some videotapes from the library “The Other End of the Leash.”
My question is about treats — I gathered from the bit I read in your book that the idea is NOT to use treats in training the dog, since the mother doesn’t (although she does feed the pups so food is in the picture). Long ago, I had heard of the idea not to associate emotions and food, so that made sense to me. However, as a novice, it’s a bit confusing to me since the other training approach in the videos (and so many other books) relies on treats as rewards. Obviously, it would be wonderful for my dog to obey just because I say so…..what a great goal! But is that realistic for a novice with a puppy? Will it be hard to get this to work, and end in frustration for all? Is this an all or nothing thing? I would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks!
Training should strengthen the relationship between a dog and a person. The easiest book for your son to use would be “Dog Training in Ten Minutes.” I’m sure, even as a beginner, he’ll have no trouble teaching and praising his new pup.
Trying to contact you through email but you do not seem to be receiving. Enjoying the BLOG
Glad you are reading and enjoying the blog. As for the rest, answered privately, old buddy.
Love the blog! I am a dog writer, as well, currently writing for http://www.dogster.com. I wondered if I could ask you for advice re: this business since you have been so successful. I have written many articles, even one for Bark! which was exciting, but I feel stuck now – not sure if continuing with articles is best or trying to get a book published or something else entirely. Any advice about your journey as a writer and dog trainer would be much appreciated! Thank you!
– Kelly Modzelewski
P.S. Love the Shirley Temple story. 🙂
The book market is in flux right now so unless you’re Charlie Sheen, it’s tough to place a book. But if you have one your heart tells you to write, do so, because by the time you finish it, things may have settled down. More than likely, there’ll be fewer bookstores, fewer hardcover books and many more e-books. I’m starting to think that that’s the way to think now. I will check out your articles. So glad to have you aboard.
Carol,
I would like to interview you for a story I am writing for U.S. News & World Report. What is the best way to reach you? On deadline for April 6. See above contact information. For more on me, go to my web site, http://www.kerryhannon.com
Thanks,
Kerry
Answered privately.
I discovered The Long Good Boy at a friend’s house last month and though I was initially attracted by the clever title I was very impressed by Rachel Alexander and Dashiell. Since then I have ordered all of the others. (Thank heavens for Amazon!) I only have 2 left to go, so now I’m trying to read thm as slowly as possible and savoring them. I’m very disappointed that there won’t be others as I feel I’ve come to know Rachel and Dash, in addition to learning more about dog training. Thank you for creating such good characters and such enveloping stories. I’m planning on reading your dog training books as soon as I’ve finished your novels.
Dear Jane,
Thanks so much. It’s always great to hear that someone connected deeply with characters you create. After the mysteries, try Do Border Collies Dream of Sheep? It’s non-fiction but reads like a story and you will definitely fall in love with May and Sky and never look at any dog the same way again.
Carol
Hi, Carol. I need help. I’m having something of an existential dog-training crisis. Thirteen years ago I started training my dog with the help of a good training center and your book, Surviving Your Dog’s Adolescence. He turned out great and has been a wonderful, polite companion to me for all these years.
My dog is now in his sunset years, and we’re looking ahead to the time when we’ll be getting a new puppy. I thought it would be best to start brushing up on the techniques I learned over a decade ago, but members of a pet message board have informed me that the rules of the game have all changed. They directed me to some books on positive training, which I’ve dutifully purchased, because I’m nothing if not committed to doing right by my dogs. Some of the concepts I’m reading about seem logical, much of it is no different than what I was doing before, but parts of it make no sense to me at all, and I’m SO CONFUSED.
Have your techniques changed in the last decade? I’m being told that some of what I was doing in the past can be the ruination of a good dog, and when I mention that my dog turned out to be fantastically awesome, they say I got lucky. Now I don’t know what direction to go with a new dog. Can you offer your thoughts?
Stephanie
If something worked, why change it? For a new pup, your best bet would be Dog Training in Ten Minutes because it’s easy to follow. Start at the beginning and go as far as you like with the new puppy. Work slowly, teaching one new command at a time. Reward your puppy with verbal praise, pats and favorite games. And don’t forget – lots and lots of socialization. For a fun read about how I did this with my latest pup, you might try Do Border Collies Dream of Sheep?, co-written with C. Denise Wall. Have fun! Most of all, have fun.
I am so pleased to have found your blog. I still swear by Mother Knows Best which fit in with my own unorganized ideas of dog training. The only differerence between training the first dog after I’d found your book and the last one is that I use a clicker now. I recommend it to clients as well. My copy of Second Hand Dog disappeared with one of the many people to whom I lent it. I’d checked the phone book for you some years ago when someone I knew was moving to the city and I wanted to refer them to you as a student and feared the worst when I couldn’t find you listed
Still alive and kicking. Or should I say, alive and blogging. Tough old broad. Thanks for writing.
Dear Ms. Benjamin,
I teach puppy kindergarten for our club. At the end of our 8 weeks I give my students a list of training books for those interested. At the top of the list is ANYTHING by Carol Lea Benjamin! Even the mysteries have training information.
Thank you for your books and your dedication to dogs. Your insights have truly helped me develop a partnership with my collies, Liza, Greyson and Nikki.
Leah Warner
Thanks, Leah. This is so encouraging to hear.
My daughter has turned my attention to you and your blog. I just read your comments and had to laugh because I continue to be amazed at what I see my dogs do. We have 3 dogs, a Newfoundland(extra large), a pound dog who is Lab, Chow and maybe Collie and a puppy who is an English Shepherd. 2 boys and a girl. At first the boys were a little put out at having their peaceful home invaded by this busy puppy. I have been careful to give them time away from her and now they are all playing together. I have watched the puppy watch the big dogs and learn from them. She also has to deal with a tuxedo cat and they have become friends also. I can’t wait to read your training books. Thank you.
Sounds like a wonderful dog family! Thanks for writing, and welcome aboard.
Hi Carol-
I received the book “The Chosen Puppy” as a gift as I am very heavily involved in rescue and behavior modification (both humans and dogs!). Wondered how I can get ahold of you to ask you some questions on your other books as they look terrific. You can reach me at my email address and you can check out our rescue at http://www.cockerrescue.com
Thanks!
Lynne
I sent a private answer.
C
I’m not entirely sure how I stumbled my way to your blog, but I’m so glad I did! I see here the same warmth, humor, and gentleness that I loved in your books. You helped me raise my first dog (who left us last year at the lovely age of 14) more than you (and the Captain) know!
K:)
Hi Carol,
I’m a writer and I have a food blog that is used by many for digestive issues. I find your story inspiring and would love to interview you for my blog. You’ll notice that our dear canine companion of 10 years recently passed away (an Australian Shepherd), so I would especially love to ask you questions about how your dogs have helped you with Crohn’s. My son has it as well.
Best wishes,
Erica
comfybelly.com
Erica@comfybelly.com
Happy to do an interview with you. Just home from Newfoundland. Need to settle back in to real life for a few days. Then let me know how you’d like to do it – e-mail, phone, over tea?
21 years ago a wonderful breeder took a chance on a first-time dog owner, me, but only after we had spent 2 months in correspondence (ink on paper delivered by the postman in those days) making sure I understood Mother Knows Best (and the gospel according to the monks of New Skeet). The puppy was the last standard poodle Diane Laratta would breed before shifting her career toward whippets and, her major line of work, owner training. My fourth standard poodle is now 3 months old, and #3, my best assistant trainer, is 8 years old. Both are from Wendell Samet, who, having spent a lifetime creating these wonderful creatures, would never for any price turn one over to a pack with an untrained human member. Before I brought the old crate up from the basement last month, I re-read Mother Knows Best. While perusing the “Benjamin” shelf of my home library’s dog book department, I noticed I am missing Dog Problems and have 2 copies of Surviving …Adolescence. During 20 years of distributing books from this shelf as though they were life buoys, I’ve fallen behind on inventory management. Well, Kindle just fixed half of THAT problem. Thank you, thank you from a grateful student.
You are most welcome. Thanks so much for writing.
Dear Ms. Benjamin,
I think I remember reading a dog philosophy book you wrote called Adam something. Am I dreaming? I can’t seem to find it or a reference to it anywhere. I’ve recommended to someone who wants to read it but he can’t find it anywhere either.
Sincerely,
Joanna
I wish! It’s Adam’s Task and it was written by the brilliant Vicki Hearne.
I just found your books a month or so ago and am really enjoying the well thought out plots and great writing! My daughter had a wonderful Pitt Bull and I found her to be such a sweetie – 65 pound lap dog! She was a love so I especially like Dash. Thanks for the terrific reads!
So glad to hear this. Thanks!
I’m having THE worst time finding a paperback version of The Long Good Boy, heck, it’s almost impossible to find in hardcover too. Was it never released in paperback? I’d prefer it in paperback because it would match the rest of my collection!
I so wish you continued to write the Rachel Alexander and Dash mysteries, they’re SO good! I’m not even a mystery book person, I originally bought The Wrong Dog only because it had a bull terrier on the cover XD it instantly had me hooked. I now own This Dog For Hire – The Wrong Dog, and just need my hands on the last few!
Dear Shara,
The only one of the 9 Rachel and Dash books that did not come out in paper is The Long Good Boy. You will probably have to find a used copy, but it’s one of the most delicious of the series, so try to find one and enjoy! Thanks so much for writing me. Carol
Thanks Carol! I will give up on the search for a paperback copy now that I know it doesn’t exist! 😉
Oooo, I’m so exited now! MUST FIND this book! 😀
Let me know how you like it. I think you will!!!
I think your aspirations have come together wonderfully. Love it when that happens and lucky for all of us that they did!
It does seem amazing and lucky for me, too. Thanks for writing!
Hi Carol. Thank you for writing this blog. I’m am quite interested in the subject you write about.
I am particularly interested in having a dog as a service companion dog for crohn’s disease. It is my understanding that in order for a dog to officially be a service dog he needs to actively be able to physically perform an action for you. Guide dogs physically guide their owners. Seizure dogs physically alert their owners of a possible episode. A dog that is purely therapeutic regardless of the fact that it legitimately helps a patient, is by law actually ineligible to be classified as a service dog.
Can you please explain specifically how your dog qualifies?
Thanks in advance!
Dear Ari, After many decades of no help and nearly two decades of life-changing help from service dogs, I wrote the book I wish someone had written when I was diagnosed. Everything you need to know is in Do Border Collies Dream of Sheep? If you have any further questions after you read it, you know where to find me. I wish you all the best. Carol
Carol,
I’ve already ordered your book, am waiting for it to arrive and was looking forward to reading it. Your remarks though, make me question my decision to purchase your book.
I am quite disappointed by your sales pitch reply. It would be great if you can respond properly to a simple question.
Thanks,
Ari
This comment was answered privately.
Hi Carol,
Just wanted to thank you for the Dash mysteries, I have kept my collection and intend to re-read them all, something I don’t often do anymore. I enjoy the books and the characters very much but I especially love that Dash is a pit bull. We have been a pit bull family for decades and we too often find ourselves having to champion our favorite breed. Your descriptions of Dash’s behavior are perfect. I especially love it when he is silently waiting to do his job, perfect. If you have never known a pit bull like we do, you are missing out on one of the most sensitive and loving breeds, so much heart.
Thank you again, i treasure the stories and I wish for more!
Dear Kathleen,
I once wrote a column in The AKC Gazette called “How to Train a Whippet” and got tons of mail from whippet owners saying it was dead on. The fact is, I’d never trained a whippet. You really can get a handle on a breed by doing really, really careful research, especially if you have trained related breeds. But some things come only from living with a dog, those quirkly, funny little habits, like walking on top of things whenever possible. Dash was modeled after my first service dog, Dexter, who was (it would appear) part pit. He was a character, a gentle, intelligent soul, the sweetest and most helpful dog I ever met. Pit bulls can be delicious dogs and they have a special knack for knowing what’s what. Sadly, we only hear about the bad ones, ones isolated, teased and made aggressive, ones badly bred and badly raised. It’s too bad.
Thanks for your kind words,
Carol
Hello dear author,
I have enjoyed your novels lately……….Just finishing The Hard Way and find to my dismay, you are sprinkling more and more pages with the” Fword”….why is this? Why would a terrific mind like yours succumb to the popular usage of a demeaning concept/word? Normally as soon as I read it the first time, I just shut the book and return it to the library because I feel that what I put in my mind makes me who I am for now and eternity. I wish you could find the strength to rise above usage of this word, even if it is extremely appropriate for your supporting roles of characters. You do such a good job with that not needing to have this word included for us to understand the personage.
I challenge you to rise above the urge to include it in further writings and my best wishes go your way.
Sharolyn
In New York City, and in hard-edged mysteries, the fword, as you call it, is considered punctuation. You know, sort of like a comma. Sorry to hear you are offended, but I am telling it the way it is and do not agree that such language makes me a lesser writer. I am not, after all, writing a drawing room mystery but a gritty one, just the kind I love to read. Luckily, there are mystery writers for every taste. You will not run out of what to read.
The “f” word has actually become a mild epithet compared to some other expletives and yes, gritty requires reality, including in language. (And yes, I use all of them in my fiction too)
I love the Rachel and Dash books.
Many thanks. Living in New York, it doesn’t have the shock value it might have in other places. I can’t imagine doing NYC dialogue and having to clean it up. One of the fun parts of writing mysteries is that they are wonderfully not PC. Great good luck with your books!
I would like to interview you for a book I’m writing about my relationship with my dog and communicating with dogs. I was struck particularly by your most recent blog. Donald McCaig also highly recommended that I speak with you. I am interviewing him as well.
You can see more about me and my work at http://www.mannesproductions.com. You can respond directly to me at emannes1@gmail.com
This comment was responded to privately.
Hey Carol,
I too have crohns and live in NYC and I have a few questions about how you went about the dog certification of sky. I am purchasing a cavalier king charles puppy and was hoping that he would become a service dog in the future.
hope to hear from you soon,
Michael
I’ve e-mailed you and asked for more information so that I can best know how to help you.
Carol, my cocker spaniel puppy is aggressive. I’m working with him constantly but have come across something I can’t seem to resolve. When he’s physically being put into a down position he will mouth my hand and it’s not a growl per se’ but showing me he’s perhaps irritated. You had suggested less free time, which I am doing. I’ve tried chewing him out and putting him in his kennel away from the family. I’ve tried collar corrections and leash corrections. Nothing seems to work. Is he trying to show me that he’s the boss? How do I correct this?. I feel like I’m doing this nightly and it’s not improving. Any suggestions?
Here’s what I would do: I would not do the down at all unless it was after vigorous exercise, a long, long walk, a game of fetch, etc. I would lure the pup down with his favorite toy. (Check out Dog Smart for this.) Or, I would ask for a down before putting down his dinner bowl. Do not physically put him into a down. This is all for now, not forever. And, maybe most important, work on everything else and go way beyond the basics (again, use Dog Smart) and only practice the down 3 days a week. If he does it the first time you ask, praise and play a game. Do not repeat a command he just did well. Let me know if this helps. Carol
I just reread “Dog Smart” tonight and will work follow your directions. I’ve had lots of dogs in my life (mostly cockers) but never one this bound and determined to be alpha and he’s used up my limited skills! I’ve been pouring over “Dog Problems” and “Surviving Your Dog’s Adolescence” nightly and he outsmarts me every time. Thanks so much!! We start again tomorrow.
Cindy Christensen
I just adopted a rescued 3 year old Miniature Rat Terrier. According to the rescue organization, “Darby” spent almost her entire life in a cage. I am starting “from scratch” with her (house training, understanding what a collar and leash are etc.). After my former dog died a month ago, I’ve been re-reading all the dog care books on my shelf and “Mother Knows Best” is the one that seems most suited to this situation and my own feelings about living with a dog. However, even though I’ve only had Darby for 3 days, it seems painfully obvious that she has no idea what “play” is or what a toy is. Given the way she’s spent her first 3 years, is there any way to slowly resurrect the natural urge to “play” in this little girl? Also, what other books or resources would you recommend for a situation like this — a charming little creature beginning a new life and just learning to be a “dog” at age 3? I know I have to take it slow and it’s only been 3 days but so much of the natural behaviors that are the basis for training seem to be completely missing….. Any insights or guidance would be welcome! Thank you.
Take your time and work on your relationship with Darby first. The rest will follow.
It’s now been 3 weeks and it’s been like watching one of those slow motion stop action videos of a flower blooming to be a part of her progress each day. I’m rejoicing in milestones like the first really happy wags of her stumpy little tail, seeing her “fearlessly” eating out of her bowl when it’s outside her crate (I move it a tiny bit farther away each meal), watching the tentative sniffing of a flower in the garden etc. Thank you for your encouragement.
Oh, perfect, Teri. I love your attitude. Good you are watching your little flower bloom. Good that little tail is wagging. Good you are inching the bowl away from the crate. Our rescue dog couldn’t be petted for more than a minute when we got him. He’d leave, pronto. Imagine that home! Now he lies up against up and leans his big head back for scratches and kisses. Patience will get you and Darby where you need to go.
I have all the Rachel & Dash books. And I love them. I would love to live in the house that Rachel has. It sounds perfect even if it is in New York City. I keep hoping to see your books released in e-book format. I hope there are plans for that.
Hi, Vicki,
Some of them do have Kindle versions, but not all. So glad you like them. Rachel’s house is real, BTW. It’s on West 10th Street in Greenwich Village, across the street and a little west of the 6th Precinct.
“Hot off of my dog blog” is a “sort of” review of your book, Dash, PI … it’s a “sort of” review because I had something else in mind before I started writing the post. So, I may have to do a second one that works with my original idea…http://dld.bz/bJ6tw
Dear Kathy, What an eloquent review. Thanks so much. Dash, PI is a confusing book since it’s the first two mysteries in one volume. The good news is that both those novels, This Dog For Hire and The Dog Who Knew Too Much, are still available as separate books. The 6th book in the series, The Long Good Boy, is out of print and is the only one that was not published as a paperback, but it’s still in some libraries and readers have hunted down used copies. It’s a great read, really gritty and surprisingly funny in places. I think all the others are available in paper and most as ebooks. So happy reading!
BTW, Rachel’s cottage is a real place and it tugs at my heart when, walking on West 10th Street, across the street from and a little West of the 6th precinct, I peek through the gate and see the garden and the little brick back cottage. Writing mysteries is a rich experience. So glad you liked the books.
Hello Carol,
We are having a fund raiser for a new dog park in town. I’m donating three copies of “Mother Knows Best” for the silent auction. Would it be okay if I made copies of the ten vocabulary words every dog should know and have them available for people to take?
Beth
Sure. That’s fine. But please make sure my name is on it and add that my most recent training book is a graphic ebook called Dog Smart, The Art of Training Your Dog. Thanks! Carol
Consider it done! Thank you.
Beth
Dear Carol Lea,
I live in Chelsea in NYC and in April of this year we received a sweet Chilean Fox Terrier puppy as a present. My husband and I don’t have children and he brought much needed liveliness to our home. I came across an article about you while researching service dog training, and was immediately in awe of Sky! I feel nobody knows my dog better than me, and nobody loves him more, so I would like to train him myself. He is 11 months old, is it too late? I looked through your book but didn’t find anything on training a service dog.
Looking forward to your advice.
Kind regards,
Paula
Answered privately.
My Mom Person discovered Mother Know Best sooo many years ago – even before I came into her life. I was raised on a lot of your philosophy. And I think I’ve done quite well! Thank you. I’m glad that I have come across your blog so I can keep the Mom Person up to date about all your books. I’m excited about your new ebook!
You should have no trouble reading Dog Smart. It’s all graphic, perfect for you!
Carol, I have two copies of your book Mother Knows Best being sent to me…it is media mail and taking way too long. Would you be so kind as to list the ten vocabulary words every dog should know. I’m doing a demo with my Chi using those and I forget the exact ones… thank you so much. Beth
Dear Beth, There are way way more than 10 vocabulary words in Mother Knows Best, each with a paragraph explaining meaning and use. But you can download Dog Smart, The Art of Training Your Dog in about 2 seconds for a fun, effective and streamlined primer on dog training. And that will give you a good vocabulary for your dog, all illustrated in color. Great good luck with the demo. Carol
Okay, I will do that but I remember being impressed with the simplicity of the ten words and that if a dog fully understands and responds appropriately to those words he could function safely and successfully in a world run by humans.
We are still trying to recover from Hurricane Sandy, much much luckier than some, but still a lot of work to do. I took a quick look at MKB and found a vocabulary of 18 words, many of them doubles, so more like 25, each, as mentioned, explained. No way can I copy that here in the middle of trying to make our garden safe for the dogs again. Anyway, you will LOVE Dog Smart. It was over 10 years in the making. For me, doing an all graphic dog training book is a dream come true. Let me know what you think, please. And now, back outside for me with the dogs looking out hopefully.
I suppose that if I ever get a Kindle or an iPad, I’ll try to remember to get “Dog Smart”.
I’ll come over and remind you!
Hi Carol,
I love your books too, and I want to read them all. You really care and that is so wonderful. I wish everyone with dogs took care of them like you do.
I just finished Lady Vanishes. You have a great style. I don’t have a dog but I have 10 guinea pigs and a chinchilla. They are kind of like tiny vegan dogs (LOL).
Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
-Ellen Garrison
Hi Carol, I have loved everyone of your books and they really show the reader how dogs
are as human and has many feelings like we do. I hope you write other books. Your books are easy to read and somone who loves to read gives them hours of entertainment.
Look forward to seeing new books. Thank you
I think the best gift one can give their dog is to read Carol’s books….Thinking of getting a pup or know somone who is? Read ‘Mother Knows Best’..*before* puppy acquisition.
Where can I get your books? I hear that you have a great one for teaching an old dog new tricks. I have a 9 year old Aussie who has some bad habits that need to go away. LOL
Dogs are never too old to learn. Like humans, they are lifelong learners. Try my newest, cheapest, most fun book. It’s an ebook (for iPad, Kindle or Nook) called Dog Smart, the Art of Training Your Dog and it’s all graphic and very easy to use. Best of luck.
I too really like your Rachel and Dash series. Rachel is a woman whom I would truly respect were she not a fictional character….and I suspect that she is a lot like you!
I do not have a Pit Bull, myself – I could never be able to take care of one properly, so I stick with my little Min Pin who gets EXCELLENT care – LOL!
I hope that someday you will be able to continue the series!
Hello Carol,
I am a freelance writer currently working on an article that discusses the ways in which dog writers craft authentic canine characters. What strategies do authors employ in order to create a dog that lives and breathes on the page? That stands out as unique and real? Dash is one such dog, and I’ve always been struck by how he lingers in the mind, long after the book is closed. If possible, I’d love to have your thoughts and suggestions. Thank you so much for your time, and for your books, sincerely, Ariel
Responded privately.
Forgive me if this is a repeat, folks. Carol, I first began reading you in the AKC Gazette and fell in love with your whole family. You were married at the time and had a GSD (Scarlet) and a Shiba Inu (Lefty). I lost track of you but found you again. Yippy!
Paula
ps Could you tell me how you REALLY feel about the Shiba Inu as a breed? I am thinking of rescuing one from the shelter…
Hi, Paula,
You need to do a lot of research before choosing any breed. Shibas can be fun little dogs, very clean and catlike, sometimes not good with other dogs and they are not so terribly reliable off leash. Like all Nordic dogs, they tend to run. So not the right dog for me at this time. You? Who knows!
I Carol,
I came across your site and I can’t wait to start reading some of your books! I’m a sucker for anything that has to do with dogs 🙂
I also love to write and I was wondering if you might be interested in taking a look at a possible guest post? I would love to contribute.
Thanks
Ron
Dear Ron,
I hope you enjoy the books. Lots of them are available as ebooks and print books, so you have a choice. Only one, Dog Smart, is available only in the ebook format and looks fantastic that way because it’s graphic. As for your writing, since blogs are free to set up, I would urge you to start your own. The wonderful thing about them is that, for good and for bad, they are truly one’s own opinion, unfiltered by editors, publishers, copy editors etc. Having published traditionally for decades, I am enjoying both the ability to write whatever is on my mind and to communicate directly with readers. Give it a shot and let me know when your blog begins. I’ll be your first reader!
Thanks for the advice and i will definitely let you know when I get one started up! I can’t wait to begin reading your books!
How about writing a book on training service dogs? I feel a little like an imposter because I am raising/training my own dog. I have been picking the brains of other trainers and service dog raisers, but haven’t found much in the way of manuals for individual trainers. I love your other books and obviously you have a lot of knowledge in the area.
Dear Anne, The closest I have come to writing a book on training service dogs is Do Border Collies Dream of Sheep? Honestly, if you read it carefully, you’ll know how to do it. If you have any questions, you know where to find me.
Carol, I love your writing…Mother Knows Best is such a favorite of mine, I ask each family in line to get a puppy to first purchase your book and then ask questions. Families have been very responsive, loving the resource in the book! Thank you for putting together such an easy to read wealth of information about how our canine kids learn and how best to teach them what we hope they will learn…
I remember your name from AKC Gazette articles…
Thanks again…
Thank YOU!
Hi Rachel,
As a dog rescuer (volunteer) and a bookseller (25 years) and an avid pooch book reader, I want to thank you for the Rachel & Dash books. I have read them all at least twice and really have wished for more. I wondered if you have read Quinn’s series about Chet and Bernie? Pretty fun to read. Like your blog and so does Doc, my 85 lb. Pit who I hug and kiss and he loves it. He’s our boy! Cheerio, Juniper
Hello. I was wondering if you happened to know what the rules are in France for service dogs? I saw a post online that lead me here and suggested I leave a comment.
Thank you.
We were in France two years ago with two service dogs and had no trouble going everywhere with them, including museums. One restaurant denied us a table on a rainy day, perhaps because the dogs were wet but so were any people who came in. And it’s difficult but not impossible to get a taxi with a dog in Paris. Other than that, we were fine. A word of caution, some of the museums will say no at first, but if you insist on talking to a supervisor, you will get in.
I’m another new fan who wants to encourage you to check into self/indie publishing. Some of my favorite authors have gone this route, and with impressive results (both in terms of sales and in terms of how good their books are). Some of them have written on their blogs about indie publishing. Here’s a great starter post from one of my favs, Lindsay Buroker: http://www.lindsayburoker.com/e-publishing/e-publishing-101-how-to-get-started/ Although she doesn’t write in your genre, her advice seems applicable across genres. Whatever you decide, I just need to say that I’d LOVE to read more Rachel and Dash books.
So glad you like the Rachel and Dash books. I am not a very good self promotor and I am afraid I’d have next to no sales after a year of full time very hard work. Plus the feedback and support from my agent, editor, copy editor, art department are what made the Rachel books so good. I would really hate to work without that.
Oh well, it was worth a try! I do get what you mean about feedback from editors & others, though. It’s been my experience that the best self publishers hire independent editors to provide that part, since most authors can’t competently edit their own books – they’re just too close to the material to be objective.
Hi Carol Lea, I just discovered your Rachel & Dash series, and you are the best dog writer I have encountered! Your first creation, “This Dog for Hire”, circa 1996, is so refreshing; obviously absent of tech. You refer to the Minox camera in pocket, and fax correspondence, plus messenger service! I love the good old days, pre “smart devices”, selfies, Siri, texting, and all the various ways people use to stay at a DISTANCE. Carol, any chance you give in person seminars, in NYC area? I live on Long Island, and would be honored to meet with you in person, along with other dog lovers. My breed has been Boston Terriers, that are adored by me, since my grandmother had them way back in the 1950’s. Look forward to hearing back from you, but I am not on Facebook, or Twitter, or Instagram. How do we contact one another? Thanks, my email is below, but no place to enter phone, which is landline on corded phone. Loyal fan, Arlene
ps — Carol, posted another comment, since I did not see first post come up. Now, second followup disappeared, but first one is there. Looking forward to hearing back, either privately, or on this website. Not place to leave phone contact. Thank you again for sharing your artistic talents with the world. Disappointed only 9 books in the Rachel & Dash, but good news is I can re-read them frequently. Paws Up to U! Arlene
Carol, thank you for the timely personal reply to my comments. I look forward to reading ALL of your Rachel & Dash books, over and over, until new ones are created, by whatever means you find viable! Best, Arlene
I just wanted you to know…I have been breeding Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers since 1991. From then until now, I have recommended to every owner that they get and read “Mother Knows Best.” I tell them if it doesn’t ring a bell for them, if they don’t chuckle, if they don’t get that dogs can be con artists, they need a different breed. Thank you for that wonderful volume.
Thank you, Pam. So kind of you to write this!
Ms. Benjamin,
I just found your blog today because I was searching Google for “service dogs for Crohn’s disease” and your blog was the first result. I’ve read through most of your posts already and they couldn’t have come at a better time! I have Crohn’s disease (and have for the last 19 years) and I have Border Collies. My first BC is Gunner–strong and powerful on sheep. We also have Grace (Gunner’s daughter) and though she isn’t technically a service dog, she is so special to me. She seems to sense when I’m having a bad day and is quick to lay her head gently in my lap. There’s something about stroking her head that makes everything better. My husband and I joke that she is our first child.
But I wanted to thank you for your writings and your photographs. I appreciate the sincerity and honesty in your words. It helps to know there are other people in the world going through similar things and with similar companions.
Kathy from SC
Dear Carol,
I wanted to thank you for writing such a beautiful book in “Dog Training in 10 Minutes” with your delightful illustrations. You do really know dogs and how to get them to play along while working with us. I LOVE the tip about circling a “puller” back onto the left side during heel. I think I had figured that out own my own, but your confirming it’s a valid way to get an energetic pup to whoa a bit really helped.
You have a big fan here!
Ann (and my Golden Retriever, Blue)
Thanks so much, Ann. So glad to have helped with Blue.