Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 50
 Time to toss the choke collars in the trash... February 10, 2008
Eddie Landsberg (Tokyo, Japan)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have to begin by saying that when I first started reading the book I was very put off by a writing style that initially came across as a bit choppy, curt, rude and precociously academic... then suddenly, light began to shine and Jean Donaldson began tossing one brilliant idea, suggestion/method after another. - - My guess is that the book probably came about as a result of cutting and pasting previous writings of hers together... writings geared towards various audiences and appropriate to various situations... however, after this was done, the writings were simply never edited so they'd represent a cohesive whole... As a result, I have to agree with other critics that the book really needs to be edited and organized... still, I give it a 5 star rating... Why? Because as I said, it challenges you to think differently... and many of the pages are gushing with ideas and suggestions for problems facing all dogs... Whether or not you agree with everything, the book gets you thinking - - its not just a rehash of old dog training cliches (as many books are.)
As for Jean Donaldson's basic approach- - basically its text book behaviorism, but with a compassionate twist. The central premise is that people expect their dogs to think and behave in the Walt Disney mold... and fail to take into account that dog's brains are the size of lemons... and further, wired different than people... in particular, dogs are masters at reading their environment... but don't have the abstract and logical thinking abilities of humans. In failing to recognize this, we often expect unreasonable things of dogs... and even worse, punish - - even summarily execute them for this. (Jean Donaldson specifically uses the word "execute" as opposed to euthanize in the case of many dogs who are put to sleep for aggressive behavior, when they were simply being dogs and their humans simply failed to socialize them.) -- - She uses this argument to poignantly argue the importance of socialization and repeatedly says, "Dogs are animals and animals bite..." Dogs who are not properly socialized bite not because they're abnormal... but simply because they were never trained to adapt to a human environment where biting, no matter how tempered can be considered a capital offense..... hence the dog remained dogs... ergo biting when seeing strange humans engage in behavior that any canine would have seen threatening. (Donaldson points out that in the wildnerness "fear of the novel" would have been understanding, as no adult dog would be able to live long enough to pass on its genes if it was programmed to simply walk up to explore anything new and novel. Dogs survive by running away from things that spook them... or making the thing that's spooking them run away... either/or...)
The book covers a wide variety of behaviors which most humans find extremely annoying (barking, chewing and urinating) but Donaldson assures us are NORMAL, however, can be dealt with through proper socialization (and if the window is missed) conditioning. - - Methods typically involve exposure to situations, and reward for desired behavior... no alpha rolls, no choke collars, and no alpha wolf lead or be eaten/hang 'em by the choke collar babble... just time and patience... and a clicker and some treats.
All in all, like some other reviewers, I think it needs rewriting... but that said, there's so much in it, I'd say its worth every buck and then some whether or not you agree with each and every one of her theories or suggestions. To sum it up: this book definitely belongs in your library if you're serious about dog training or behavior...
 A good book that is a little too wordy. January 30, 2008
S.
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
R. Jensen (Northern California)
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
Kathleen Flora Bolger (houston, tx)
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
K9
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!
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