Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 61-65 of 67
 For the Love of Communication November 10, 2006
Daniel Meunier
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
Patricia McConnell's latest book on our human relationship with dogs and, indirectly, with all other sentient inhabitants of this world is written with great aplomb. She picks up the gauntlet thrown by those who charge anthropomorphism at the slightest provocation and dares to examine the subject of emotion in our best friends. While I must admit to some bias since I'm already a fan of both Patricia McConnell and Suzanne Clothier, and she's thus preaching to the choir, I thought that her arguments were very carefully researched and presented in the most entertaining, moving and usually warm manner. If you've enjoyed her previous book "The Other End of the Leash", you're sure to get as much from this latest offering. This is far from a primer on dog training but, whether you're a new dog owner or experienced trainer, I would highly recommend this book to deepen your understanding of our relationship with our best friends and, indirectly, with others of our own species.
GOOD FOR ALL SPECIES November 10, 2006
Karen L. Sweeney (WINDER, GEORGIA USA)
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
THE INFORMATION IN THIS BOOK APPLIES INTERESTINGLY NOT ONLY TO THE CANINE
WORLD BUT PROBABLY FITS ALL SPECIES, ESPECIALLY HUMAN. I KNOW IT TOUCHED
ONE SEVERAL AREAS IN MY LIFE PSYCHOLOGICALLY. VERY GOOD BOOK.
Understanding the emotional basis of behavior October 5, 2006
Franklin D. McMillan, DVM (Los Angeles)
76 out of 78 found this review helpful
Patricia McConnell has written a wonderful book filled with engaging stories and much practical advice for dog owners. She incorporates the latest research findings on the workings of the dog's mind in presenting her own cases from her behavior counseling service. Her discussion of counterconditioning covers an extremely valuable concept that is not stressed (or even utilized) enough by other behaviorists and trainers. This technique is invaluable and of nearly limitless potential in alleviating many emotional distresses and disorders in dogs.
Especially pleasing to see is that in her discussion of counterconditioning and other techniques the author diverges from the decades-old approach of addressing "behavior problems" (a term that should be killed off and unceremoniously buried - it's not the animal's problem any more than if your husband had a habit of talking too loudly to your liking would you tell your friends that he had a behavior problem) by focusing on simply eliminating the behavior. This mechanistic behaviorism approach may be effective in eliminating the behavior but frequently does nothing to relieve the dog's underlying emotional distress that is causing the behavior. For example, if a dog is suffering from loneliness because he is tied up alone in a backyard and barks endlessly for human attention and companionship there are plenty of ways to eliminate the barking. But there is only one correct one: alleviate the emotional pain of loneliness. McConnell understands this and focuses on this underlying emotional distress when working with the dogs to change unwanted behavior. In light of the advances in neuroscience, comparative psychology, and brain imaging, this places McConnell on the leading edge of the changes underway in how unwanted behavior in dogs should be addressed. The primary focus in treating behavior "problems" is to help the dog rather than the owner. McConnell gets this. Most dog behaviorists and trainers don't.
I strongly recommend this book for all dog owners who want their dogs to get the best emotional care and support in all behavior-related matters.
Improve your relationship with any dog September 28, 2006
Nicole
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
This book is packed with well-researched information about interpreting dogs' behavior, but it's still fun and easy to read. I used to be scared of dogs because I thought their behavior was unpredictable, but now I feel confident that I can determine when a dog is feeling playful and when it is anxious (and may be about to bite). A very, very helpful book!
Knowledge and fun at the same time? You bet! September 27, 2006
Uncle Jim
15 out of 16 found this review helpful
I think it goes without saying that pretty much everyone who has a pet dog love's their dog and is convinced their dog loves them. But let's be honest. Most of us are pretty ignorant when it comes to really understanding dogs (and certainly in my case, many other things). So while it is true that you don't have to have great knowledge and understanding in order to love some other being, including your pet, you can certainly enhance and nurture any relationship through better knowledge and understanding. And that is what this book can do for anyone who wants to have their relationship with their animal companion to be the best it can possibly be. Not only is this book a great source of information and knowledge for understanding the emotional bonds we have with out 'best friends' and how to make the most of those bonds, it has riveting true stories that tie in beautifully with the different emotions we see and experience. When you combine this book with Dr. McConnell's earlier book "The Other End of The Leash" you will have perhaps the most comprehensive understanding of your dog and your relationship with your dog that is in print today. And a fun read too.
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