The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs Paperback – Illustrated, 29 April 2003

At last, a dog behviour book that makes complete sense! It gives lots of insights into the differences between how dogs & primates (ie: us) communicate & how misunderstandings can arise. Where this book differs from so many others is that it doesn't make you feel a failure for not adhering to some wierd set of rules about 'achieving dominance' over your dog. I own three dogs (all rescue lurchers, not owned from puppyhood). With two of those dogs I'd probably never have felt the need to buy a book on dog behaviour. The third (who we got first in fact) is the kind of dog that sells books on dog behaviour! After having read just about every book & tried lots of tips from so-called experts, I found this book & 'The Dog's Mind' by Bruce Fogle to be the the most helpful, for giving insight & passing on some wisdom & for confirming that not all dogs are the same (obvious really). It does also have plenty of useful tips as to ways of communicating what you want, in ways your dog can understand. The other sort of book, that implies that if you stick to the writer's set of rigid rules, you can't fail to have a perfectly behaved dog by next week, is just a recipe for frustration for both dog & owner. I've come to the conclusion that my dogs know I'm not another dog (again, obvious really) & so don't expect me to behave like some alpha dog/wolf (phew). This book was obviously written by someone with both an academic understanding of animal psychology & behaviour, coupled with a large dose of common sense & hands-on experience. Not only that but the photo on the front is brilliant!

Superb book and a must for dog owners !!It gives you REAL insight as to how they perceive us and why they are not at fault most of the time- it's us !!! For not giving clear signals!A dog does not understand us when we talk in sentence to it- it just picks up on tone and the 100's of movements you make ( without even being aware )Try standing and looking in a mirror at yourself. Keep as still as you can but smile, then frown. Now do it again but this time observe the tiny changes you see in the muscles on your face. Try doing this with some one else and ask each other to do different things but NO TALKING !!This is only a small example of what your dog sees/ only he's aware of every muscle in your body- all at the same time- no sound needed and he can work out from these changes what you are doing/ going to do.For example;How many people follow a reasonably same routine before going out each time?You might have something to eat and drink, put your dishes in the sink,go to the bathroom, clean your teeth, brush your hair etc. Then come down stairs and get your coat and bag then check your bag to make sure you have everything before picking up your keys.By the time you have got to the point of brushing your teeth, your dog has already recorgnised that you are going and leaving him and at this point if he suffers from stress this is when it starts!!The book gives you SO MANY insights!!

The book is an easy and pleasant read but the "instructional" aspect was less than I expected. I had hoped for more true methods and tools to help me learn to train my dog.I did find it a bit confising that I understood from the book that dogs rely more on visual signals than audible.... if the dog isn't looking at you how will it see the visual signals.... and you have to shout sometimes because the dog is far away.Anyhow I enjoyed the book and decided to visit a dog trainer for help.

This book was recommended by a brilliant dog trainer. He said there's one book to read if you are going to read any - and this was it. It must have been revolutionary when first written. There are many Americanisms in the book but once you get past that it's a great read. The insight and pre knowledge one can gain is invaluable. Sort of like "Horses never lie" for Canids.

I have had 13 rescue dogs over 50 years and there is always something to learn. This book is an excellent addition to my collection of books about dogs and I have recommended it to many friends and fellow dog people.

I founds this a very enjoyable and eye-opening read as a new dog owner. It's mostly anecdotes from the author's long experience as a dog-owner and trainer. But she is an academic, so it is supported by a proper knowledge of the research background. Though it is in no way a handbook, I found I did pick up some very useful tips about how to behave with our new puppy.

A good information book

Practice what the book teaches, which is the dedication part