Think Dog

With every dog I own, I find myself re-learning how to interact with dogs. Over a decade ago, I successfully applied dominance theory to my first dog. Then, my second dog did not respond well at all to dominance theory. I had to essentially figure out more of an alliance approach with her. Now, I have a very timid dog who was dumped on my property. She requires an especially considerate hand. If I push her even a little too hard, she shuts down both mentally and physically—almost as if she faints—which is a sign of severe mental trauma. This book has helped me brainstorm how to better approach my dog’s case! A few ideas and approaches in this book have been super helpful for me when interacting with and training my dog. Not all of the things discussed in this book are for her, but many points have been really beneficial. With a compassionate approach to dog training, my dog has come a VERY long way!

First of all, let me mention the downside of this book - the writer's belief in homeopathy. Oh dear, I was doing so well until I got to that chapter, but since I believe homeopathy to be arrant nonsense, this rather put a crimp in my feelings about the rest of it. As to the rest of it, however, it is very good - very very interesting on dog body language, what you're really doing when you interact with your dog, etc. I think many of the precepts will prove useful and I'm now giving it a second read to assimilate it. I wish I'd bought it in hard copy for easier referencing, actually, so I might buy a second copy.

I have been a dog trainer for many, many years, and I believe that you can never know everything. This book has proved my point. I have experimented with some of the advise given in the book, and have had great results. I want to thank John for writing such an awesome book, and hope that even more will be written by him.

John Fisher provides a look at life from the canine point of view. This book is easy to read and provides much insight into how dogs think and how we humans can better work with dogs to get the results we desire. Would recommend to any dog owner.

I found the information provided in the beginning of the book about the developmental stages of dogs, and problems that can arise when those stages are interfered with to be extremely insightful. However, even in the updated version, I feel like some of his insights on negative reinforcement are archaic. My other dislike is that most of his "trouble shooting" and addressing of "problem behaviors" seems to boil down to sales pitches to purchase some training tool that the author developed. Since most dog parents probably purchase a book like this hoping to better understand how to communicate with their dog and address "problem" behaviors, I find the sales pitch approach to be inadequate and disappointing. It is an interesting read, but I would go into it realizing that some of it is a bit outdated and not take it as a definitive work.

Having just entered a new career with working/detection dogs, Think Dog gave a very good grounding in how to see the world through the eyes of my canine colleagues. Very useful and a good reference for the future.

Enlightening!Though I'd like the book to have some more practical examples on the everyday issues, rather than so much 'Problem Orianted'. All in all it's a greate book that explaines so much about how dogs think. so much as I can begin to notice in real life human - dog relationships just what is depicted in the book, and that really helps better understanding how your dog precieves different situations.

Great book full of good quality information