|
| The Dog's Mind: Understanding Your Dog's Behavior (Howell Reference Books) | 
 enlarge | Author: Bruce Fogle
Creator: Anne B. Wilson
Publisher: Howell Book House
Category: Book
List Price: $18.95
Buy New: $10.28
You Save: $8.67 (46%)
New (24) Used (22) from $9.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  45 reviews
Sales Rank: 8872
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 220
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6 x 0.8
ISBN: 0876055137
Dewey Decimal Number: 636.7
UPC: 021898055132
EAN: 9780876055137
ASIN: 0876055137
Publication Date: October 14, 1992
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Useful But Dated January 15, 2006
20 out of 20 found this review helpful
Fogle has taken a fairly typical approach to this topic. He starts with a thorough review of literature on canine senses and builds to a discussion of how dogs use these sometimes far inferior senses (like close vision) and sometimes far superior senses (like sense of smell) in communication and learning. He discusses the various ways dogs learn including observation, classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and what types of reinforcement and punishment works best. There is an interesting discussion of puppy personality testing, including, something I wasn't aware of, what it may be able to can tell you and, even more importantly, what it can't tell you.
He provides some great material on puppy's early learning from fellow siblings and from Mom with emphasis on its importance and the potential for problems if this critical early learning doesn't happen at all or at the proper time in the short puppy stage of the life. Before he finishes, Fogle wraps up with a discussion of how these senses change as dogs age.
There are many books on the market that cover much of the same material, but Fogle distinguishes himself in two sections. One is a useful discussion of how to deal with the different types of canine aggression which he discusses in some detail. This section is a great place to start if you ever have to face that problem. Second, he gives us an equally thorough treatment of canine social and eating disorders as well as fears, phobias, and anxiety.
The book concludes with a brief appendix (almost a checklist really) summarizing basic skills training Fogle advises to always train these behaviors in the following order: come, sit, stay, down, and down-stay. It's disappointing that this recommended training sequence does not match their sequence in the appendix. And to make it even easier to miss, this advice is hidden back on page 110. As a result, we're left wondering whether the sequence is important, and, if so, why.
Major Author's Message: When we breed for show we bring unanticipated and undesirable traits along for the ride.
Minor Author's message: A dog doesn't expect democracy or equality because neither concept exists in the pack world. He doesn't expect to be treated like a human. Instead, he is more likely to expect his people to act like dogs.
Bottom line: I enjoyed the book; it's written well and there is definite value there for those who are willing to seek it. But if you're not seeking info on the two distinguishing section listed above, there are other places to get it such as Stanley Coren's "How Dogs Think" which is probably easier to locate.
Bob and Hannah
 To know a dog is to control a dog August 27, 2005
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
I just read some of the reviews and thought seeing as i have now purchased more than seven copies of this book, i'd give you my opinion on why this dog book is the best.
It explains how dogs actions convey their thoughts.
I do this when i'm thinking this,
I do that when i am thinking that.
And every time i do that funny thing -You pat me...
Wanna know WHY i race out the gate and you cant get me back?
To understand how they think, act out their thoughts, and how they see us allows us to take more control of them through understanding. Not just cause we are told it works.
I give my book to anyone that has a problem with dogs and can read.
I buy more to confirm behavior patterns and help people take control of their presious puppys.
Dog psychology made easy,
Thanks Dr Bruce.
an excellent book on dogs and how their 'thoughts' develop September 30, 2004
28 out of 30 found this review helpful
the book starts with a brief history on the dogs' origin. followed by a pretty good description of the anatomy of the dog's brains and their 5 (or 6, as many think dogs may have the 6th sense) senses.
these are written and brief and easily understood language. not boring scientific stuff.
from the set up of the brain, the book flows into how the brain would produce the hormones that determine the dog's behaviours. from here, the author would branch out to tell in detail the psychology and behaviourial issues, explaining many things based on scientific reserach and analysis.
the author also touches on some common behavioural issues. like humping, agression etc. also incl are tips on how to curb some of these problems. another very interesting topic the author deals with that is not found in many books is the effect of de-sexing dogs. he deals with this issue very comprehensively and it's very interesting to be able to learn.
a very good book to fully understand our best friend. it's a must all all serious dog owners who like to fully understand our best friends.
Cool & Intriguing July 26, 2004
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
This book is excellent material that enables us to understand dogs better. I learned numerous things of the dog's psychological state i was unaware of. Not only does it explain the dog's mind, but it also gives training advice, which is totally effective.I fully and completely recommend this book to everyone i've met.
 Dog's eye view June 30, 2004
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
This book is written in a comfortable, conversational style. It gives insight to us humans about the way dogs perceive the world we live in. The Dog's Mind is a good book for developing compassion for dogs in light of their actions, in lieu of anger for the way they respond to the stimuli we present them with. The book gives reasoning for why dogs behave the way they do and brings the reader to a point of better understanding the way to deal with the way his/her dog behaves (or dogs he/she may run into in the community). Not a "how-to" book for the most part, although there are some very good step-by-step instructions for dealing with certain behaviors (i.e. excitability in the car or when visitors come to the house).
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
