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The Other End of the Leash (平装)
by Patricia McConnell
| Category:
Dog training, Pet, Animals, Home |
| Market price: ¥ 168.00
MSL price:
¥ 158.00
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| Stock:
In Stock |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
An excellent exposition on dog behaviour and ways to improve human-canine communication. |
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AllReviews |
1 Total 1 pages 8 items |
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Nicole Wilde (MSl quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
As a dog trainer who specializes in behavior issues, as well as being an avid reader (and fellow author), I cannot express how much I adore this book. I have attended Patricia's seminars and her warmth, intelligence, and ability to convey invaluable information related to canine behavior comes across in this book just as it does in person. I have a vast collection of dog training books. Some are referred to for specific information on behavioral issues. Some gather dust. This one will be read more than once, just for the sheer enjoyment. Patricia McConnell is an excellent writer, and anyone who wants to understand more about the relationship between dogs and people and how to improve them should absolutely buy this book. It is one of my most highly recommended books to my dog training clientele. |
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Setna Khamwaset (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
Patricia McConnell has written a clear and thought provoking book on ANIMAL behavior. Take note, McConnell does not stop with dog behavior, but looks closely at primate behavior as well. It is important to know not only how to speak dog, but why our behavior, while understandable by us and other primates, communicates in a foreign language to our dogs. For example, did you know that every time you grab a dog by the face and press your face up to the dog that you are probably making that dog quite uncomfortable? Dogs do not greet each other face to face - it is an aggressive behavior and your dog will notice when you stop staring him in the eye (basically saying "you wanna fight!") and start kissing her on the cheek! McConnell's writing is fluid and clear.
However, I find sections overly pendantic at times and I would highly recommend further sections on practical, hands on things we can do to help correct problem behavior. This is important to note. This book is not really a training book - there is not even a single paragraph on leash pulling. While it has helpful training tips and advice, it is mostly a book about psychology and communication. For functional training methods, pick up another of McConnell's training books (or perhaps those of another well qualified trainer). But if you want to better understand what your dog's behavior communicates and how you can change your behavior to better communicate with your dog, this is by far the best and most accesible book on the subject. Learn the importance of tone of voice, length of sound, repetition, body language, facial expression and the often misunderstood concepts of dominance and leadership. After reading McConnell, you and your dog will finally be speaking the same "body" language! I highly recommend this interesting book.
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A reader (MSL quote), New Zealand
<2007-01-11 00:00>
The Other End of The Leash is a book that could easily disappoint the purchaser if they did not know what they were buying. This is not a book on the practicalities of how to train your dog. Ms McConnell does not tell you how to make spot sit, down or fetch, or tell you how to teach him competition obedience. It is also not a book on the theory of teaching dogs, or on fixing behavioural problems. You will not hear about the benefits of positive reinforcement versus punishment in this book, or learn how to stop your dog from chasing the postman.
However, if you accept this book for what it is, it is truly wonderful and quite unique. The Other End of the Leash is simply a informal discussion on the similarities and differences between canine and human communication. McConnell has studied human behaviour as well as dog behaviour, and has come to the conclusion that many behaviours and verbal tones that seem friendly and natural to humans are aversive to our canine companions.
When used inappropriately, these human signals can trigger a fearful or aggressive reaction in dogs. Less seriously, using inappropriate body language or vocal tone can undermine our obedience work. When teaching a recall for example, signals that might seem appropriate to a human (leaning forward, looking directly at the dog and barking a loud cheerful "come!") can in fact inhibit the dog from approaching.
This book also contains one of the most sensible discussion of dominance that I have ever read. McConnell contends that dominance is a much misused but still useful concept. She discusses the way that we can mistakenly give up our "Alpha" status to our dogs by using the wrong body language, and explains the severe behavioural problems that can be caused when we do this. Most importantly, she tells us how we can earn back Alpha status without resorting to physical violence. However unlike some other dog trainers ("Dog Listener" Jan Fennell springs to mind!), McConnell does not try to ascribe every behavioural problem to a lack of human dominance or leadership. She is careful to include anecdotes about dogs that were misdiagnosed as having dominance issues when they were merely untrained, and explains how this misdiagnosis actually exacerbated their behavioural problems.
Her explanations of canine body language are excellent, and far superior to any other book of this type on the market. Unlike many other dog trainers - Turid Rugaas, for example - McConnell discusses the body language of aggression and fear as well the language of submission and "calming". This information is essential for anyone dealing with a potential aggressive dog.
The only complaint I have with this book is that McConnell appears to deal mainly with herding breeds, and although she briefly mentions a few other dogs in the book (mostly retrievers and a few smaller terriers), her anecdotes are mostly about border collies. This bias is relevant as border collies are a breed that was developed to work closely with humans, and specifically selected to be alert and sensitive to the nuances of human and animal body language. I know from experience that some of McConnell's conclusions aren't necessarily going to be quite so accurate with other types of dog - for example, dogs that are bred to guard, dogs that are bred to fight, and dogs that are bred to work independently of humans.
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Lara Stielow (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
This is an excellent book that will give you more insight into your dog's behavior.It explains the natural behavior of dogs vs. humans, and why sometimes our most instinctive reactions to our dogs can be ineffective or even harmful to our relationship with them. Patricia McConnell is a wonderful writer who weaves excellent stories, sure to make any dog lover laugh and cry, into this information laden book. This book does not tell you specifically how to train your dog or deal with behavior problems. It explains the psychology of humans vs canines and how we can work together to enjoy each other fully. I originally got it from the library and could not put it down. By the time I was done I had to get a copy for myself. Although, I have a line of friends waiting to borrow it. Happy reading!
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A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
This is not a step-by-step dog training book, but it contains so much insightful information about not only your dog's behavior, but also your own and what you can do to make your lives more enjoyable together. I have watched several dog training videos which are helpful and our dog has learned many commands but The Other End of the Leash has really enlightened me on doggie behavior. I am almost finished with the book and feel that I have a much better understanding of my dog and how important it is to be a benevolent leader.
Our dog is coming almost always now when called. Not coming consistently was becoming a bigger problem and we were at our wit's end at what to do. This author describes how our natural efforts to get a dog to come (moving toward the dog) only causes confusion for the dog and frustration for the human. She sprinkles in good, practical advice among a lot of interesting reading...stories of her dogs, her clients, and her studies of animal behavior. At first, her mild self-deprecation and "political correctness" as mentioned in many of the reviews here were a bit offputting to me but I got over that quickly because she knows her subject. (And she really loves dogs!). I am recommending this read to all of my friends with dogs....it is an invaluable resource.
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A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
In just a month we will be bringing home a Golden puppy. We have become aware that there has been quite a change in thinking about dog behavior and training since we trained our previous dog. In order to educate ourselves and hopefully do the best we can for our new puppy, we have bought virtually every highly-rated and recommended book on the market. I have spent the past couple of months reading everything in site, in hopes of finding that one person that we could "elect" as our doggy guru (because it's just too confusing to try and follow too many schools of thought). The Other End of the Leash is the book that convinced us that we could stop looking, as Patricia McConnell was just what we were looking for. We have since gone on to purchase most every book and video that she has made. Her approach of explaining why dog's do what they do AND why we humans do what we do with dogs, makes her a unique standout in the field. Not only does she give a big picture explanation, but she also gives specific training advice. I'm glad we found her; I'm sure our puppy will be glad, too. |
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A. Staff (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
Patricia is an excellent animal behaviorist and I recommend all her books. This one is the best one yet.
Trisha is not a dog trainer - she is an animal behaviorist, this is what makes all the difference! Think of an animal behaviorist as a "root-cause" analyzer of behavior. Training only helps to train the pet to do a certain action but it does not get at the root cause of the response or behavior (like inadvertantly rewarding the behavior, you would be amazed at how many of us do this).
One of my dogs has had dog training with Dogs Best Friend and they have the kindest and most dog-friendly ways of teaching!! Patricia's dog training classes teaches us that 99.9% of dog training consists of training the human, not the dog. Patricia teachs us how although we may be animals, the messages we send to our best friends are much different. For example, we may smile at our dog or attempt to hug it, but in dog language that is an act of aggression! In this book she tries to teach us how to behave more like dogs, and less like people (however crazy that sounds). One thing I remember from Dogs Best Friend training was a trainer whom had a family pet as a child who only responded to "sit, sit, sit, sit." It would not answer to just the command "sit." Patricia teaches us the value of the 1-word command, and the usage of positive, rewards-based training. This book is more than just a training book it provides valuable insight into the way dogs think. You will be amazed at how much your pet can learn when you start speaking their language! This book teaches us to think about how we are behaving in front of our dogs, and how important it is to "Be the leader of the pack, A benevolent leader," as she would say.
Any dog lover is at a loss without this book. For more on Trisha, those of you whom can tune in to Wisconsin Public Radio, Saturdays Trisha hosts a program called "Calling all Pets" which answers pet related problems. I do believe you can view past shows on WPR's website.
Best of luck in the care of your dog, and remember - your behavior can mean the difference between having a good pet and having a great pet! |
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S. Pelzer (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
I've seen Trish McConnell on Animal Planet and listened to her radio show. So I already knew I liked her and her dog "philosophy". The book is a fun read and informative. It is not a training book, however. You will not read about HOW to make your dog sit, stay, come etc. What you will read about is dog to dog interactions, human to dog interaction. From this information, she is able to give you insight on how what you do or don't do will make your dog react. She compares humans to primates and dogs to wolves and discusses the similarities and differences between all. While I was reading the book and after I finished, I found myself watching my dogs carefully. Sometimes my dogs do just what she said, other times I see something different.
But keep in mind that I think she is often talking about dogs with behavior problems. She talks about social manners between dogs. Dogs do not approach each other head on. I've watched this happen now. But she mentions that dogs do not like to hug. Mine initiate hugs, but I understand now that that is because they recognize that as something that I like and they are comfortable with hugs with me but not with strangers.
The anecdotes about her dogs are great for helping the reader to understand a point. At the same time they are fun to read, heartwarming and brought tears to my eyes. If you love your dog(s), you'll like this book. I especially would like to read more and I would love a chance to talk with and ask questions of Trish McConnell. She seems to have so much more information to share than could ever be written in a book
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1 Total 1 pages 8 items |
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