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Summary: Dogs on the Couch offers a comprehensive look......
Review: "Larry Lachman's Dogs on the Couch, written with Frank Mickadeit, is another great addition to a pet enthusiast's library, especially for those contemplating adopting their first puppy or dog. From sibling rivalries to phobias to just not minding their owners, the authors cover common canine behavior problems. Lachman, for many years a counselor working with abused children and others in need, turns many of the same techniques he has used with people to training dogs. He stresses the need to involve all family members when you are working to prevent or change a dog behavior problem, and he eschews physical punishment, such as the jerk-and-release technique. Dogs on the Couch offers a comprehensive look at what to do and not to do to create a happy, well-adjusted pet." --"Animals" Magazine, July/August 1999
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Summary: Positive Training Techniques and Dangerous Doggy Lifestyles
Review: Dogs on the Couch describes 5 different positive and humane alternative heeling collars, including the Halti, to use instead of the choke chain. Unless the dog is aggressive, they are used temporarily and are weaned off as the dog learns to heel. No choking or hanging. The book also makes it clear that THERE IS NO ONE BREED OF DOG THAT IS INHERENTLY AGGRESSIVE, the authors do NOT support breed-specific legislation, and they put the onus of responsibility for dog bites on the OWNER. Interested readers can look up annual dog bite statistics by consulting such resources as:"Dog Bite Related Fatalities--U.S., 1995," in the Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Reports, V. 46, Issue 21, U.S. Centers for Disease Control, May 30, 1997; "Dog Bites Recognized as Public Health Problem," Journal of the American Medical Association, V. 277, Jan 22-29, 1997, p. 278; and in "Dog Bite-Related Fatalities from 1979-1988," in the Journal of the American Medical Association, V. 262, 1989, p. 1489, by J.J. Sacks, et.al. Taken in total, the book is balanced, positive and describes behavior therapy solutions to both simple and complicated dog behavior problems.
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Summary: Humanistic Emotions Reflected in Family Animals
Review: I have read DOGS ON THE COUCH and am amazed at how dogs copy humanistic traits. Dogs show and give love without condition. Dr. Lachman, a man who has studied, experienced, and found a psychological approach to human concerns through cancer clinics and helping out people who need therapy in getting through tough times, has expertly crossed over, and crossed back, to families who need emotional support from others and in understanding animal behavior,giving love and finding out how wonderful it is to be loved through people and of course,, your family pet. I look foward to more books by Dr. Lachman regarding family animals and how we humans can learn from them and ultimately learn from ourselves
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Summary: Pit Bulls still lead in dog bite fatalities in the US
Review: If the reviewers in Washington/U.S. had read the entire book instead of selecting limited excerpts from one section of one chapter, and globally accusing the author of a "know it all attitude," they would have learned that children are the most frequent victims of dog bites, which are led by mutts, then shepherds, husky mixes and the like. The pit bull does not lead in bite frequency, but they do, as they have continued to do for many years now, lead in bite fatalities. Why is that? All the reviewers has to do is check the statistics from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, or with the Humane Society of the United States, or with any national animal control organization. The breeds of dogs in Europe which were crossed to utlimately produce the american pit bull terrier, had lineage to bull baiting Mastiff's in 1600 Rome. The reviewer can check their own web sites or news groups for the historical citations on this. And the deplorable history of bull baiting and pit fighting in 1800's England and then, in the United States, is obvious to anyone looking at the historical record. In fact, the continued practice of illegal pit fighting, and breeding pits who are "game," who, will not give up or let go once locked onto a target, in addition to the animal shelters filled with pits and pit mixes across this country, only further illustrate the societal dilemma now faced with this breed and for the proponents of this breed. The authors are clear when he states that there is no one breed of dog that is vicious, but he is also accurate in his discription that pit bulls have been bred to fight other dogs, and breeders, even on the pit related web sites and newsgroups, describe how the pit is bred and trained to be more game than other breeds of equal jaw strength, to not give in or give up or release unless they choose to. The author does not claim that the pit has a bone structure that makes it abnormal or special when it bites and clamps or locks down on a victim, as other terriers do (who are smaller and inflict less damage). No such physical attribute is necessary since the breed has been bred by man for many generations to exhibit these behaviors. Pit bull owners and in particular, those from the pit bull organization who submitted the above reviews, need to step up to the plate and correct, from the inside--among their own, the rampant number of dog attacks perpetuated by this breed. Better quality control in breeding, temperament, and non-violent training, neutering and spaying, and more careful screening of prospective buyers, is what is needed to correct the abhorant national statistics on dog bite fatalities, partially led by this breed. And finally, the citations used by the authors are listed in a whole bibliography section for the above disgruntled reviewers to research for themselves. And finally, this reviewer finds it interesting that the Washington reviewer did not even address the vast array of subjects covered in the book, from pet loss, to housebreaking and two chapters featuring pits or pit mixes, who were not aggressive, and who ended up being helped by the non-violent methods of training described in the book for their destructiveness or separation anxiety problems.
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Summary: An absolute must for dog owners, or those who want a dog.
Review: There are many dog training books on the shelves today. But, that is what they are, Dog training books. Lachman's book is different. It is about learning to live with your dog as part of your family. The techniques he uses to train the dogs are non violent, and easy to follow. He also includes advice for common problems like seperation anxiety and aggression. I have been using the techniques for aggressive dogs for 5 days, and am already seeing a difference in my malamute. In addition there are 2 chapters I think really stand out for me, and those were choosing the right breed of dog for you, and dealing with pet loss. I want a good dog, but I want a dog, not a robot. With Lachman's book you can have just that! With the familiar tone of the book, it easy to read and follow, and enjoy. If youhave a dog, or want a dog, Get this book. You will not be disappointed.
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Summary: Excellent
Review: This is a wonderful book which has already helped work wonders in the life of my 12 year old spaniel Barry. Don't look for quick fixes - Barry is still in denial about his drinking problem (he slops his ears in the water bowl and drinks from the toilet) but is working through other issues, some of which stem from puppyhood (here I must take the blame - I used to dress him up in a little Elizabethan doublet, hose and ruff for crying out loud). But thanks to this well-written and compassionate book I think the little guy might just pull through.
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