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| For the Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend | 
 enlarge | Author: Patricia Mcconnell
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Category: Book
List Price: $15.95
Buy New: $9.05
You Save: $6.90 (43%)
New (35) Used (12) from $9.05
Avg. Customer Rating:  60 reviews
Sales Rank: 2457
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 368
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8 x 5.1 x 0.9
ISBN: 0345477154
Dewey Decimal Number: 636
EAN: 9780345477156
ASIN: 0345477154
Publication Date: August 28, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new item. Over 3.5 million customers served. Order now. Selling online since 1995. Order with confidence. Code: B20080708211408T
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 56-60 of 60 | | « PREV 1 ... | | |
Understanding the emotional basis of behavior October 5, 2006
61 out of 63 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
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
14 out of 15 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.
Your Relationship With Dogs Will Improve Dramatically! September 25, 2006
148 out of 152 found this review helpful
I'm blown away by this book. I really liked McConnell's first book, "The Other End of the Leash," but this book blows even that away.
And here's why:
This book is an uncommon combination of 3 things that usually don't go together.
1) Entertaining and moving (yet educational) stories of dogs and their humans (many from McConnell's long career as an animal behaviorist),
2) Immediately useful knowlege about dog behavior and the "clues" dogs give about what is going on with them, and
3) Relentless scientific backup for what she says, while NOT being hard to read or "science-y."
For instance, do you know what it means when a dogs mouth is closed?
Do you know what it means if a dog is pointing her muzzle away from you, but looking in your direction?
Do you know what it means if a dog is pulling the corners of his mouth forward?
You should, because these are all critical clues about what the dog is going to do next -- it may even prevent you from being bitten by the next dog you reach out to pet!
Do you know the government-tested 30-second puppy-exercise regime that helps them grow into dogs that are gentle, flexible, and tolerant?
You should, it might make a huge difference in the next dog you get!
Along the way McConnell provides TONS of useful and entertaining knowledge about dog and human brains, how we learn, developmental phases (and how to impact them!), the nature of happiness (and how to be more happy!) and a whole lot more.
. . .even how to tell if a dog might be laughing at your hairstyle.
And it's so well written it's hard to put down.
I'm sorry if this sounds like an ad for the book . . . I'm not selling the book, just reviewing it, and I really liked it.
I think that if you like dogs and spend time with them, your relationships with them will be noticibly enriched by your reading this book.
Remarkable! September 18, 2006
6 out of 19 found this review helpful
This is a powerful and moving read for all people who have ever felt a soulful connection to a dog. It opens one's eyes to better see the mystery and spirituality between humans and their extended selves. Another book that focuses on such profound connections is seen in Walking the Trail, One Man's Journey Along the Cherokee Trail of Tears by Jerry Ellis. Along the 900 mile walk by this Cherokee author he is befriended by a black lab, Crow Dog, that becomes a major force in this extraordinary spiritual journey.
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