Final Hope : Gaining Control of Your Aggressive Dog

Rating:
Summary: Caution - Inappropriate Advice in this book
Review: As a professional dog trainer and behaviorist I frequently recieved requests for literature on aggressive dogs. I came across this book, and I now require all my aggressive dog clients to read this book. It is the most complete book I have seen on this subject. It includes all types of aggression. It is also very well written. It can help even the most aggressive dogs.

Rating:
Summary: Caution - Inappropriate Advice in this book
Review: As a professional dog trainer that specializes in behavior (approximately 85-90 % of my business is dealing with aggression of all sorts) I have to advise that people skip this book. I can foresee people using this book and getting hurt by their dogs and/or making their dog's aggression problems worse.

Rating:
Summary: One of the more dangerous books out there
Review: As a professional trainer and behavioral counseler (graduated from San Francisco Dog Training Academy's Counseling Certificate course with honors), I find the information in this book inaccurate and appalling. The author has a garbled understanding of true behavior modification techniques and actively advocates a method that is recognized in my profession as likely to exacerbate the problem (referring to his recommendation to 'flood' the fearfully aggressive dog). His belief that simple obedience (taught in a forceful, confrontative manner) can 'fix' an emotional state such as aggression is simplistic at best. A professional who understands animal learning laws and behavior modification techniques whould immediately recognize that this book is one for the burn pile. This book earned one star only because I wasn't given a 'no star' option.

Rating:
Summary: The author needs to bone up on behavior modification
Review: This book is one of the most dangerous books out there. It simplifies the motivation and mechanisms of aggression and buys into the anthropomorphic view that aggressive dogs are 'bad' and just need to know who's 'boss'. The author needs to learn about learning principles and stop fooling the public into thinking he knows of which he speaks. He is related to Carol Lea Benjamin through marriage. It is obvious from his book that he is a rank novice when it comes to aggression. It is amazing that with all the brilliant minds out there, Dunbar, Donaldson, Pryor, Rogersen, etc, etc, that Stephen Joubert could think he could write a book on aggression that would not be scrutinized.

Rating:
Summary: I have found no better publication on dog aggression.
Review: This method of "tough love" behavior modification is THE answer to dog aggression. This is the best and most compassionate alternative to the usual responses to dog aggression: isolation or death.

Rating:
Summary: Review For the confused consumer.
Review: You may find it strange that this book either recieves a five star or a one star rating with very little in between. Final Hope is an excellent book on handling aggression in pet dogs. That said, the ratings posted reflect a rift in philosophy of dog training techniques. Modern techniques involve gadgetry and food rewards - a Pavlovian behavior/reward system. Classic techniques engage the dog as a thinking animal, an animal that is capable of more than simple reactionary behavior. The training is based on building a relationship with the dog. To say that one philosophy is all "good" and the other all "bad" is too simple and shouldn't be debate here. As it pertains to this book, if you are working with a modern trainer who works with food and gadgets this is not the book for you. It will contradict everthing your being told by the trainer. If you are working in the relationship building, classic method, this book will enhance your understanding of process.