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Summary: A Guide On How To Be An Irresponsible Owner!
Review: Even after 14 years in animal control, I still am sometimes surprised at how well people can rationalize their irresponsible behavior where pets are concerned. And this lady made money off of it! A woman who has no regard for either the dogs nor her neighbors, I also find it hard to believe that her behavioral insights can be respected when even her own dogs ignore her "leadership" by the end of the book. A very regrettable book that glorifies dangerous, unthoughtful and uncaring treatment of dogs.
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Summary: Unbelievable nonsense
Review: I was flabbergasted when I read this book. Bluntly put, the author is an idiot, and should not own dogs at all. The first part of her book describes how she is taking care of a friend's dog, and lets it wander all over town. Instead of making sure he can't escape from the yard, she makes a habit of following him... that is, unless he CROSSES THE HIGHWAY, in which case she turns back. Personally, I'd want anyone watching my pet to have at least a small amount of responsibility and common sense. She describes problems she has with the police and her neighbors because of her 5 (sometimes more) dogs; she describes how she lets her un-spayed/neutered dogs breed out-of-control. The travesty just goes on and on. The part that made me laugh is that, at the end, she seems to be impressed that the dogs don't seem to pay any attention to her anymore; she seems to have missed the point of having pets. Her conclusion that dogs primarially want the company of other dogs should include the caveat "in the absence of any human attention."The author does not appear to be an expert on dogs, dog behavior, dog training, or dog care. She does, however, have some good tips on being a public nuisance. I'm amazed that anyone would write such an account of irresponsible behavior.
Rating: 
Summary: It's Real
Review: I had given Annie (black lab)her Christmas bath and noticed she was drying herself off on the cotton throw I had pulled out to use for the winter. She was rolling on her back and twisting as though I had not done a sufficient job. Of course, this followed my having thoroughly dryed her off. Well, the book's author instructs the reader this behavior, rolling onto familiar scented items, re-establishes familiar scents. Initially, I thought Annie was drying herself. I learned this was not the bahavior indicated at all but rather re-establishing a familiar scent. This insight and dozens of others will really enlighten the reader into the hidden life of your pet and I highly recommend it for any reader wishing to understand dog behavior. It's insightful!
Rating: 
Summary: Very Uplifting
Review: Thomas' insight into the lives of dogs is written beautifully and I commend her for taking the time to document her dogs' daily activities. The book helps me appreciate my dog, Maggie, even more. Great reading!
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Summary: This is a story - not a study
Review: I bought this book when it first came out but didn't read it until recently. I'm not sure really what I expected but this was not it. Yes the book makes a fun and touching story, but to suggest that it even approaches scientifc validity and reliability is absurd. I only give it one star because it is not what it claims to be. Read this book for fun - not to gain insight into dogs' lives. I agree with an earlier comment regarding the irritating, ever present voice of the author. She is not a particularly good writer and her ego is all too apparent. I won't comment on her irresponsible treatment of her dogs except to agree with previous observations.
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Summary: Great insight into Siberian Husky behavior.
Review: This book helps explain the behavior traits of the siberian husky. Many of these behaviors are closely related to the behavior of wolves. Anyone owning a husky will relate to the antics of the dog as expressed in this book. It is sad in the end to think that they are mostly off by them selves, but isn't that where they came from?
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Summary: Pure delight !
Review: As a previous fan of Marshall Thomas (Reindeer Moon, The Animal Wife ) I bought this book with great expectation and I was not disapointed. As she says, so many studies have been done on the behavior of wild animals but not the animals who live with us. Sure she took some risks and did what is now considered irrisponsible in regards to her dogs, but responsible dog ownership is not the subject of the book. Marshall Thomas used her skill as a scientist to write this book and sometimes scientific studies involve things that offend us everyday people. However more often than not we are quite happy to accept the benifits of these studies. Just ask your Vet what he or she did in vet school. I'm so glad she wrote this book because it has given me new insight into my own dogs. Don't be put off by people who miss the point, read this book for what it is, a study of domestic dogs beautifully written with great love and respect for our canine companions.
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Summary: An Excellent dog lover book
Review: I thought this book was a very enjoyable book to read. Thomas is a fascinating individual who does an excellent job of seeing right through dogs and making great observations. I especially loved following the lives of the dogs and the dog pack as a whole from when they are born to their emotional deaths. Those who commented that this book is lacking statistical information and scientific observations are really missing the point. If you want a boring book on dog pyschology get something else. But if you want an intriuging and fun book that really makes you think, get this. You'll love it.
Rating:
Summary: Not responsible but very interesting
Review: Thomas has written an interesting dog book, although no responsible dog owner should use her methods. The point of the book, however, was not to teach us how to raise/train our dogs; it was to allow us to get a glimpse into their minds. Don't follow her example, but understand her conclusions. It will allow you to better understand your dog.
Rating: 
Summary: An irresponsible experiment! Spay? Neuter? Leashes?
Review: This book made me mad all the way through! Who on earth let's dogs run the busy streets of Eastern Mass? Who thinks it is funny to let their dogs run, show up on someone's porch who will look at their tags and call her to give them a ride home? She does nothing scientific, but apomorhpizes quite a bit. I feel sorry for those dogs in many ways.
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