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| The Cautious Canine | 
 enlarge | Author: Patricia B. Mcconnell
Publisher: Dog's Best Friend, Ltd.
Category: Book
List Price: $6.95
Buy New: $4.62
You Save: $2.33 (34%)
New (6) Used (11) from $2.98
Avg. Customer Rating:  46 reviews
Sales Rank: 3436
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 29
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.3
ISBN: 1891767003
EAN: 9781891767005
ASIN: 1891767003
Publication Date: June 1, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Use this book and create your own conditioning program December 18, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book is built around a case study of a dog that is afraid of strangers at the door, but its useful as a toolset so that you can develop a program to counter-condition practically any unwanted behavior. If you happen to have a dog that has fear-based on-leash aggression towards other dogs, I recommend McConnell's other booklet, Feisty Fido. At this price, buy both.
Practical Solutions November 5, 2007
This book follows Jean Donaldson's tradition of practial solutions. It's not too cumbersome to get through and you end up with some great techniques for helping your fearful dog become more confident.
Deals with people fear, not dog fear... November 4, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I bought this book because my puppy is wary of other dogs. While the instructions given in this book can be applied to any fear the author focuses on fear of people. The book is still useful, but I would have liked a little help with my specific problem. I also purchased Help for your shy dog and that's a little more comprehensive on the various fears dogs have (inanimate objects, people, dogs, touching etc). It also made me feel better about having a shy dog and that she can be helped!! If you only get one book get Help for your shy dog. But, if people fear is your only problem then get Cautious Canine
Very helpful October 21, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This little book has been very helpful in helping us with our fearful pet. We have had group training, worked with a private trainer, a vet behaviorist, and have used Cesar Milan's techniques to establish leadership, but nothing was really making a noticeable permanent difference in our dog's fear aggression towards humans. This book really didn't reveal a ton we didn't already know, but the way it was put together was very clear and direct and aimed specifically at our dog's problem. We actually have our pooch on doggie Prozac and this, combined with the postive reinforcement laid out in the book, is really making a difference in her behavior. (Tip: I don't think McConnell tells us to do this but it is working: I wanted my dog to know exactly what she was being rewarded for and to be aware of the stimulus early on becasue the "surprise" factor is huge for her, so I paired the stimulus - a strange human- with a word before I treated her lack of negative response by saying "people" in a cheerful way. After a couple of days, our dog figured out the connection and was looking to me for a treat if SHE saw a human before I did or if I even said the word "people." This helps because I didn't want her to think the desired behavior only occurs outside on our walks. Now I can say "people" when we are inside our apartment and our dog hears the noises of humans walking up and down the hallway and she knows what that means.) For the first time in 2 years we have hope that we can eventually go on walks without our girl barking and lunging at every human she sees and even someday (crosses fingers) invite strangers into our home without having to lock our dog in a room by herself while she barks her little head off in distress. Again, don't expect anything groundbreaking if you have been at this for awhile, but we have had a lot of information in this area and this book really "clicked" for us (including my lackadaisical husband). It is presented in an extremely useful and cohesive style. It is relatively easy to employ (except maybe finding willing strangers and friends who are willing to be test subjects) and I really appreciated the way the author used examples from her own life and was realistic about what you can expect. She really covers all scenarios and gives you concrete, practical tips on what you how you should handle the situation. Now, I carry treats with me at all times in order to reinforce the behavior I do want. The only negative I would say is that McConnell doesn't really tell us how to transition from "treats" (whether food or toys) to no "treats," but we can figure that part out and so far I can say this book has been a lifesaver!
 Some good advice, but not applicable to me September 10, 2007
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I agree with other reviewers who say this little booklet is *way* overpriced for its size! $6.95? You can buy plenty of mutli-hundred page paperbacks for that price! Something like $2.99 seems like a more realistic price for something that is a small pamphlet at best.
However it is well organized, and not overwhelming. I recently adopted an extremely shy (though not the teeniest bit aggressive) rescue dog, and someone recommended this booklet to me.
But really it is not applicable to me. You are first told to figure out what your dog is fearful of. Not much help when the answer is "everything".
And then there are the desensitizing steps to help your dog overcome its fears. But in the case one of the things the new dog is most fearful of is *me*. This booklet starts out with the assumption that the owner is one thing that the dog trusts and accepts - so gives me no clues at all on how to win the trust of a new and shy dog who is fearful of its new owner more than anything!
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