All Dogs Great and Small

I actually read this book in 2 days, and that's amazing in itself because I have Epilepsy and my attention span is limited!It's like reading a nice story and learning a lot the same time. A great combination. Very informative, witty and down to earth. Brilliant thanks :)

Fascinating. Lots of useful tips all contained within an enjoyable read. Graeme has written a tremendously helpful book here. Highly recommended

I brought this for myself and also so my mum could read it.Just finished it and I have to say it's one of the best books I've read.I read a lot anyway - biographies, political, novels, espionage, humour, football, music- but I never thought a book about digs would grab me so much.Graeme has such a great friendly and personable way about him in telly and I've often said I'd love to meet him , even have a pint with him. In this book his great bloke points went up for me as he made me actually enjoy and compelled to read each page. I couldn't wait to pick it up each ttid out it down to make a cuppa or go to sleep.The hints and brilliant advice he gives is -as you'd expect - coming from a bloke who truly knows his stuff but it's also his humble "I don't know everything but here's my experience" wisdom that I loved.I've got an 18 month old pug and Graeme's advice and tips on all four legged best friends we have helped me steady my frustration and anxiety, my emotions and defeatism in navigation of training a dog.Graeme had a gift for writing. It's extremely well written and a lot of humour that had me laugh out loud more often than I thought a book on dogs would.Towards eend I suddenly realised I'd never read a book where the author had literally had me choked up with tears in my eyes AND laughing hard within just one paragraph!! (See oage 243 and you'll know what I mean).I can't recommend this book enough. Graeme is top of his game on telly and in this, I think he could have a second career as a writer and humourist.If you're reading Graeme I'm in Norfolk but often up north in Liverpool or Leeds with family and I owe you more than that pint I'd like to have with you. 🙂

There are three things I wanted to learn when I ordered this book: how Graeme Hall’s life brought him to dog training later in his career; how he actually does what he does on the TV shows; and how to stop my cocker spaniel protecting his pizzle like a Swizz Vatican Guard. For me he glossed over the first, answered the second (but need to reference sources more) and the pizzle’s still with my cocker.Mr Hall sort of glosses over his personal life but supplies the facts that led him into working with dogs – however leaving many questioned unanswered like why did he leave being the manager of the Alpine cereal factory.The book is part memoire and part training guide. You can almost hear the editors shoehorning in bonhomie into the text to try and replicate the rapport Graeme Hall has with owners and viewers on TV. The pages are replete with references to stereotypical Yorkshire so-called traits and jingoism. They have crammed in a lot of trite old-fashioned sayings as well to try and turn up the chumminess. However, there are genuinely well written factual sections, narrated in a documentary style voice, which are very interesting. I point the reader to chapter 13 [How to Read Your Dog] as the best example of this. This double-author voice is disconcerting because I wonder exactly which one is the real Mr Hall. My guess its probably the inquisitive narrator who have read, studies and investigated the world of dogs – not the hammed up Yorkshireman presented too often elsewhere in the text.One of my main points of dissatisfaction with this book is Mr Hall does not quote any sources so the interested reader can not easily look into matters or interest raised. He quotes quite a number of academic papers and studies but does not reference them. This is pretty poor as this book could be a really useful stepping stone for many readers.Is the book any good? Yes. I bought two copies (one for me, and one for my dog owning neighbour). I enjoyed reading it and would give it full marks except for the failings detailed above, worst of which is the lack of reference.Now where is that cocker of mine and her prizzle...

I bought as a gift, not yet read. Recipient looking forward to reading as watch Graeme's tv series and based on reviews this looks a good read.

I love to watch Graeme on TV. This book relives some of the stories and the psychology behind dog behavior. The index was very helpful and directed me to certain subjects I was looking for.Would recommend in fact I'm going to buy more of his books. Graeme is the Gervase Phinn for dogs. Brilliant.

Good, informal and light-hearted narration of various problematic issues related to dogs. I found it difficult to put down and followed up by watching all his past programmes on dog behaviour. Now I am very well informed!

I enjoy the author’s TV programmes and he is an excellent dog trainer, but to my mind he struggled to write this book and I found it boring.

Loved this book, bought really after seeing him on TV. The book is light reading and slightly comical in presentation with some useful information.

Graem’s book was an enjoyable read and also very useful for anyone struggling to train a dog.

Great read.

Absolutely loved this book, so helpful and easy to read. Thanks Graeme your guidance is really helping us with our little Maddy.