No Bad Dogs : The Woodhouse Way

Rating:
Summary: OK, but it could be much, much better.
Review: A decent book, with a sound enough training method, but very lacking in several areas. First, it doesn't go into hardly any detail. When I do something, I would like to know not only IF it will work, but HOW and WHY it will. She only tells you what to do, not why. Also, I felt talked down to, and I really don't like that feeling. Get this one from the library, and save the money for a better book, by Joel McMains or Karen Pryor for example.

Rating:
Summary: IT WORKED FOR ME!
Review: A friend of ours got incarcerated for drunk driving. This lasted for six months. She had a dog named Maddie who was to be put in a doggie's home. I took the dog. Maddie was a German Shepard mix and a whole lot sweeter than human beings! Everybody loved her. But when I walked her, she would chase after other dogs. And she would howl terribly at them. I got this book at a yard sale. What Woodhouse said in it frightened me a great deal. A CHOKE CHAIN! YELLING AT THE DOG! It was a riculous book. But Woodhouse assured the reader that a choke chain would not hurt the dog or even cause ANY pain (if you did it right). And she also said that the yelling was necessary. I didn't want to yell at Maddie. I don't like people who hit their dogs, not counting their children. But I had to do something. Every 30 min. walk and bathroom session and Maddie would go crazy at some neighbor's fence that had a dog in the yard. Pretty soon, I would avoid certain parts of the

neighborhood in North Hollywood. I bought the choke chain, reluctantly put it on Maddie, and followed Woodhouse's orders. I also used her "voice" technique. When Maddie would go after another dog, I was to yell real loud, "BAD DOG! REAL BAD BAD DOG! " (this once scared a policeman out of his pants! ) Using Woodhouse's advice, the choke chain caused no pain! I examined Maddie's eyes to see if there were any pain as I used it. Nothing at all. She didn't mind it a bit. But you will have to use it as Woodhouse states. Like a flick of the wrist. The next part was rougher. Screaming at Maddie when she would go after other dogs even with the choke chain on. I was also instructed to pet and praise her when she would pass a dog who was barking or just sitting quietly. This took about 20 days. And every now and then, she would have "relapses". But after one month, she was a real sight. And never went after other dogs. Then came a bad part of Woodhouse's books. Excessive petting. Yes, according to Woodhouse, you can pet your dog. And snuggle them. I would scratch Maddie's belly 400 times at once! But Woodhouse implied that this was habit-forming. And so I did cut down (not by very much, maybe 50%), and Maddie seemed much less restless! And she sure loved her belly rubbed! So this book really helped me! I had to give Maddie back when the owner got out. It was rough. But I did it. Maddie was over 4 years-old when I took her. It was the right thing to do. I don't want to think about it. BUY THIS BOOK! BUY THIS BOOK! BUY THIS BOOK!

Rating:
Summary: Great book for the new dog owner
Review: A timeless dog training classic. Great theory.

Rating:
Summary: Good basic dog training book.
Review: If you've never trained a dog, start here. Barabara's philosphy is that most dog problems are "owner" problems. That dogs key into what their owners are thinking. That said, Barbara uses corrective training techniques with a choke chain. The current thinking is that you need to also use "reward" based training.

Some trainers use only one of the other. I claim you need to tailor it to the particular dog. Some dogs couldn't care less how much you yank them around by the neck, others will quit behaving after they've had enough treats. Anyway reward based training requires lots of variations in the reward, sometimes its a game of frisbee.

With corrective training you need to assert yourself as the head of the pack. Seems to work well with some dogs, especially those more alpha pack dogs. But all dogs require lots of rewards to be well adjusted. And as you can see from the cover photo Barbara does reward her dogs.

Rating:
Summary: Good basic dog training book.
Review: If you've never trained a dog, start here. Barabara's philosphy is that most dog problems are "owner" problems. That dogs key into what their owners are thinking. That said, Barbara uses corrective training techniques with a choke chain. The current thinking is that you need to also use "reward" based training.

Some trainers use only one of the other. I claim you need to tailor it to the particular dog. Some dogs couldn't care less how much you yank them around by the neck, others will quit behaving after they've had enough treats. Anyway reward based training requires lots of variations in the reward, sometimes its a game of frisbee.

With corrective training you need to assert yourself as the head of the pack. Seems to work well with some dogs, especially those more alpha pack dogs. But all dogs require lots of rewards to be well adjusted. And as you can see from the cover photo Barbara does reward her dogs.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad but could be better
Review: This book was a good primer for understanding the basics of dog behavior and the psychology of dog training. The book gives a general understanding of how to perceive the mind of a dog. It also stresses that the personality of the owner can enhance or detract from dog performance. The best attribute of the book is that it teaches the nature of true love, honor and respect between dog and master. I would like to see Ms. Woodhouse do a followup with more details and pictures on basic dog training techniques.

Rating:
Summary: The title tells the story
Review: This isn't a step-by-step training book. It's an attempt at human adjustment. The author provides clear examples of how people's lack of canine understanding often causes "bad dogs." For example, if you have a neurotic, nervous dog, you shouldn't sympathize with it and coddle it (which only exacerbates the nervousness); you should take control and provide clear leadership, thus building the dog's confidence. Many times the owner's sympathy is the greatest hindrance to proper training, for a dog needs a leader. If you aren't it, the dog will run you.

Woodhouse provides solutions for all sorts of problem behavior such as soiling, jealousy, fighting, barking, and schizophrenia. And she teaches the proper use, and style, of choke chain by which to get the dog's attention without harming it. She provides examples of how she was able, with firmness, encouragement and praise, to create drastic changes within hours in problem dogs brought to her for training. The greatest hindrance to change was the owners themselves seeing their beloved pets manhandled. She also discusses how dogs, being quite telepathic, would often display the phobias and fears of their owners. For example, a woman who hates men may have a dog who hates men, or someone who is an erratic driver may create a dog that hates being in the car.

I quite enjoyed the book and read it in a couple of hours. I came away understanding the "mind" of a dog better, and with that understanding the necessity for firm leadership and a few tips and tricks for getting results.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource for training PUPPIES
Review: We have a problem dog, and had heard that this book was excellent for learning how to train dogs. However, we found it's an excellent resource for training PUPPIES. This book assumes you'e starting out with a puppy, and does not address how to deal with problems already ingrained in an adult dog.