People, Pooches and Problems: Understanding, Controlling and Correcting Problem Behavior in Your Dog (Pets)

It is filled with practical, commonsense training methods that work just as well today as they did in our grandparents' days. Dog does good, he is praised and reward -- dog does bad, he is corrected. Perfectly understandable -- both by dogs and by kids.

In my opinion, the people who dislike this book are those who don't believe in negative consequences for anyone or anything. (You usually see the results of this philosophy in their spoiled children.)

"Old-fashioned," they call it. Well, it IS "old-fashioned." And it produces "old-fashioned" good behavior and respect for authority. Good old common sense is what it is, and dogs respond beautifully to it.

Yes, dogs are perfectly capable of understanding positive consequences (petting and treats) AND negative consequences (a sharp word, snap of the leash, or swat on the hind end).

Job Michael Evans' book is just terrific. I have a dozen happy, cheerful, well-behaved dogs to prove it, and as an experienced instructor and trainer, I highly recommend it.


Straight out of the dark ages   July 4, 2002
 21 out of 34 found this review helpful

Evans' training methods are midieval, at best. The current world of dog training boasts many methods, some effective, some not, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, rarely these days do you see any responsible, effective trainers supporting any methods of correction that include "swatting" or "shaking" your dog(s). For example, Evans advice on how to correct your dog when you come home to find he's had an "accident" in the house? Lead him to the scene of the crime and "swat" him....well, that's if he doesn't get it when you just growl at him. Has this dog been left for 8-10 hours with no other choice but to relieve himself in the house? If so, the owner should be swatted and re-educated, not the poor dog. In talking about teaching and reinforcing the long down, Evans advises, if the dog "stress-whines", "give the dog a slap under the chin and say NO!". Advising unwitting, uneducated dog owners to slap their dog when it shows stress??? Deplorable.

This book does have a lot of good advice for dog owners; however, it also supports many negative methods....punishment....that have no place in the current world of dog training (and never should have, in my humble opinion). Unfortunately, although experienced trainers, like myself, will read this book (or as much of it as they can stomach) and be appalled, new dog owners, not knowing any better, will employ these methods out of desperation. There are better ways; my recommendation would be to do some research and invest in books that employ positive training methods that take into account both various temperaments of dogs, their instincts, and their basic motivational factors. While the methods may vary in effectiveness, certainly any positive approach is preferable to one that advocates such severe negative methods as are taught in Evans' book.


GREAT INVESTMENT IN DOGGIE LOVE   March 28, 2002
 3 out of 4 found this review helpful

I've noticed a wonderful change in my relationship with my dogs, after only 3 days of practicing the methods in this book. The inciteful knowledge has shown to be the key to improving the relationship with my dogs and loving them even more.