Cesar’s Way: Definitely NOT a Whisper
Review by Kathy Meyer, VM
“Cesar’s Way” will make a fine read for you if you want to learn about Cesar and how he claims to dramatically rehabilitates dogs to live in his pack. His is an impressive story of human ambition and resolve, which makes a nice marketing package for simplistic, outdated, and sometimes downright dangerous techniques. However, if you are a dog
owner looking to deepen your relationship with your dog and/or improve your dog’s behavior, I would direct you to authors such as Patricia McConnell, Jean Donaldson, Ian Dunbar, and Sophia Yin. By using more advanced, humane techniques of true dog training, you will surely improve the quality of life for both you and your dog. And the
book won’t be centered on the messenger; it will be centered on the message.
"The Language of Dogs: Understanding Canine Body Language and Other Communication Signals" By Sarah Kalnajs, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant CPDT.
Review by Colleen Koch, DVM
The behaviors are explained in a simplistic language so as not to offend those that do not
understand the body language as well as those that do understand. For this reason I believe the
DVD's are an excellent way to help owners of problem dogs identify body language that may
help them understand what is going on their dog, as well as novice foster parents or new
adoptees.
The Culture Clash : Jean Donaldson
Review by: J.C. Burcham, DVM
This is the kind of book that everyone, dog owner or not, should read. The essay-style chapters are written in a very frank, sometimes almost abrasive, manner. Donaldson's words serve as a wake-up call for anyone who was raised to believe that dogs' primary goal in life is to please us, and they “know” when they've done something wrong. The book's target audience is anyone who has a vague idea of how to train a dog based on what they see others doing, and who might end up with a miserable dog and a sore arm from tugging at a choke collar. Donaldson does a truly excellent job of showing you how and why positive reinforcement will help you communicate with your dog. But even readers who are already sold on the idea of positive dog training will be able to take a lot away from this captivating read. My copy is heavily used, high-lighted, and I still refer to the section explaining dog bite threshold on a regular basis.
For The Love of a Dog Author: Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D
Review by Valarie V. Tynes, DVM, DACVB
Patricia McConnell has once again presented us with a book that is not only informative but heartwarming as well. Dr. McConnell uses sound research on the subject of neuroscience and emotions to help us better understand emotions in our dogs and she does it in a way that can be easily understood by anyone interested in this subject. The book begins by addressing the subject of emotions and why the subject is so controversial in animals. It proceeds to describe the emotional expressions in our dogs and how anyone can learn to interpret them with observation and practice. Her chapter on fear and fear based problems in the dog is excellent and she follows it up with an entire chapter on helping dogs with fear related problems. All of the chapters are well referenced and science based but written in her typically comfortable and conversational style. She never talks down to the reader and underlying all of her prose is an obvious, deeply felt love and devotion to the dogs that she works with. This book is a must read for anyone who loves dogs and has a desire to better understand their point of view.
All of these reviews and more can be seen on the website of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.