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Summary: A foolish book filled with misleading horsehockey
Review: I am a dog trainer who specializes in individual consultation for behavior problems. I first became aware of this book from clients who had followed Dondaldson's methods and couldn't understand why their dogs were so uncontrollable, didn't respect them, and in several cases were becoming aggressive. I've made a lot of money "fixing" these dogs and retraining their owners, but I'd just as soon not.Donaldson wants to be a behaviorist, but selectively -- dogs are dumb and learn via Skinnerian and Pavlovian conditioning, humans are smart and learn via insight and reason. Sorry, no cookie, Jean -- Skinner would be the first to tell you that. She sets up a straw man -- anthropomorphism/abusive training -- against her brand of operant conditioning, and ignores the work of ethologists and ethological trainers. When Donaldson doesn't like some insight into canine nature, or a training technique that has been proven to work, she simply dismisses it as "stupid" -- no argument or justification. She appears to have great contempt for the native intelligence of both dogs and their owners (her readers). The few good ideas that Donaldson includes are old saws of dog training, but she never acknowledges this fact. Donaldson's approach to training is a fad at the moment. Readers seeking to live with a civilized dog would be better served by writers such as Carol Benjamin, The Monks of New Skete, Brian Kilcommons and Job Evans. Readers who just want to know how a dog "works" (ethology) should look at works by Roger Abrantes, Konrad Lorenz, and Michael Fox.
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Summary: This is a great common sense book.
Review: Jean Donaldson obviously loves dogs, and has spent a tremendous amount of time really thinking about what makes them tick. This is a great book. It is fun and easy to read. A quick read that is written in a very relaxed style. I recommend it greatly
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Summary: This definitely SHOULD BE everyone's dog training bible
Review: The best thing about this book is someone has finally gotten it right. Exactly right. The next best thing is the witty, don't-suffer-fools-gladly style. Anyone who is offended by Donaldson's attitude probably is intended to be. Way to go Ms. Donaldson! The dogs of the planet thank you, I thank you, and my puppy people had better thank you!
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Summary: very readable, very practical, this is the dog handbook
Review: Anyone who is thinking about getting a dog, or who already has one should buy this book immediately. This book is easy to read, full of real-life examples, and very useable. I can't think of another book that I recommend to my clients more often.
Rating:
Summary: An exceptional book!
Review: This has got to be the best fifteen bucks I've spent on any dog book. The Culture Clash is an amazing mixture of scientific objectivity and a very real love for dogs. Has a good balance of theory and specific instructions, and will be appreciated by the clicker training community.
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Summary: Excellent resource on understanding dogs
Review: I just finished reading this book and have to say I loved it. Being a trainer and owner of three dogs it is very rewarding to read a book with so much factual content. As we embark on a mission to change the way dogs have been traditional treated and trained it is important to have references to back up your theory. This book does it and Jean Donaldson is a wealth of knowledge. Two thumbs up for this one. A must read for dog lovers everywhere.
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Summary: The best dog book I have ever read!
Review: Jean Donaldson's Culture Clash is just the very best dog book I have ever read. Easy to read. Fun to read. To the point. Loads of useful information. Cutting edge training techniques. If you care about your dog, this is the book to buy.
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Summary: The next step in training evolution
Review: Donaldson should be required reading for all trainers. Blanche Saunders, the Monks and Carol Lea Benjamin were fine in their day, but it's time to take advantage of the latest, best learning theory out there. Donaldson puts that theory at our fingertips. We used to think, many decades ago, that the only way to train a dog was through force. Pack and dominance theory changed a lot of that for the better in the 60's and 70's; now it's time for the next stop in our evolution as trainers. This book is not about some pie-in-the-sky ideas -- it's as practical and essential as food and water. The only thing I would take points off for is the same thing some other readers have mentioned: the writing style is a little disorganized. Overall, however, this is a wonderful book. As it circulates through the dog-owning population, I'm sure it will become a classic.
Rating: 
Summary: Great content, poor organization and editing
Review: Jean's book is a must read for the content. The information she provides is extremely valuable. In particular the information on the natural behavior of dogs and theory of operant conditioning. Five stars for content. However, the general organization needs help. In the early portion of the book she mixes theory with practical training drills making the theory hard to follow and the drills hard to find later. Her sentence structure is sometimes ponderous and difficult to read through. Two stars for organization and editing.
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT
Review: I was in the process of changing my training methods with my Sheltie and Belgian. I knew the method I had been taught, the jerk and smile method, was not what I wanted nor felt was good for my relationship with my dogs. Culture Clash was what I was looking for, now my dogs and I are a full team with me as their leader and are much happier in our lives together, thank you Jean I teach agility classes and a requirement for the novice classes is to read Culture Clash.
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