Customer Reviews:
 A good book that is a little too wordy. January 30, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I liked the book but it really seems more like a text book. I think it could be simplified to turn it in to an easier read.
 REQUIRED K9 READING January 12, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
REQUIRED K9 READING and the FIRST BOOK you should thoroughly review on you canine companions. If you are in contact with, have or plan to get a dog, PLEASE, please read this book. You, your dog, and the world will be a better, happier, and safer place. End of Story.
the only 100% truly necessary book for dog owners January 2, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
the title says it.
this is not a training book, but a psychology book - one that helps you get inside your dog's head to know HOW and WHY our best friends do what they do. it will allow you & your dog to get along much better, and you'll both be happier that way! plus, a thorough read by anyone with at least a marginal level of intelligence may even allow you to forgo structured obedience classes.
i have read and re-read this many times over the years, and it is the one dog-related book that i always buy for new dog owners as a gift.
UNDERSTANDING dogs December 17, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
While not a step-by-step "how to train your dog" book, thus the word "understanding" in the title, the material covered here gives the handler/trainer/owner tools for understanding the behavior of dogs and the rules of operant conditioning. This allows one to use their own creativity and intelligence in working with their individual personality and their dog's invdividual personality. Cookie cutter "how to" books can't possibly cover all complex behavior issues and contingencies in a dog's environment. Neither can this book but it teaches you what to look for in your dog's innate behavior and how it reacts to its environment.
I would suggest that the 'lay' person start with the chapter labeled 'It's All Chew Toys To Them.' If you read nothing more than this chapter, you would have great insight into understanding how to communicate with your dog and your money would be well spent. Most likely you'll be inspired to read other chapters.
If this material is too in-depth, a prerequisite reading would be 'Don't Shoot the Dog' by Karen Pryor.
Thank you for educating yourself about man's best friend!
 Condescention Clash November 24, 2007
8 out of 12 found this review helpful
Ms. Donaldson's book drips of condescension. For example, on page 61 she tells the reader to "pound this into your brain: dogs are animals."
If you think your dog is a person, and you need a pompous author to point this out to you over and over, this is your book.
If you are a dog lover who wants to develop healthy and fun behaviors between you and your dog, every other book out there is a better choice.
The best book on understanding a dog as an animal is "How to Speak Dog" by Stanley Coren. He will explain all the things the dogs ears say by their various postions, he will explain the meaning of head position, tail movement, etc. Mr Coren is respectful to both animals and to readers.
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