Rating: 
Summary: Well written & easy to understand ...
Review: Fortunately, there are very few overtly aggressive dogs, most dogs act aggressively because they are fearful ... Unfortunately though, the bite from an aggressive dog and one from a nervous dog are equally painful, and often attract the same dire consequences ... This is a great booklet that teaches us how to manage a nervous or cautious canine ... First, the author shows us how to identify our dog's fear ... and then the author teaches us (step-by-step) how classical re-conditioning can help to reduce such fear ... in a gentle and effective manner. Often the biggest barrier to effective training, is our own lack of clarity as to what is required of us as trainers ... But the short chapters and the step-by-step format used by the author makes everything so very clear and easy to understand ... And just as helpful, the author also provides suggesttions, when a particular step does not achieve that intended ... All in all, a useful booklet ...
Rating: 
Summary: concise, practical, informative, and very helpful
Review: I knew there would be a lot of baggage involved when I adopted a young greyhound who had been neglected, starved, and beaten prior to rescue. Although his fear did not make him agressive it did pose problems with daily activities: loud sounds, anyone walking behind him on the street, men, angry voices on TV, the clicking sounds from soda cans, cameras, or ball-point pens, anything remotely shaped like a stick...the list of things that completely paralized him went on and on. My sister, who is active in Aussie rescue, suggested this booklet (she was coping with a rescued fear-biter at the time). The suggestions in this book enabled us both to help our very different animals blossom into the confident, well-mannered, loving, envy-inspiring dogs they are today. Of special help to me was understanding that 'comforting' behaviour on my part just gave my dog the certainty that there really was something to worry about. As soon as I changed that he began to act less anxious. When rescued he was never supposed to be allowed to be an only dog because of his nervous anxiety and self-destructive coping methods. So when my elder grey passed some months back we worried about regression. Thanks to this booklet he is more happy, playful, and calm than ever before. He even lies tummy-up on the grass a few feet away as my husband swings his golf clubs and works on his game. His utter indifference to a big stick was something I never imagined possible and would never have happened without the wisdom in this little booklet. Thank you, Ms. McConnell!
Rating:
Summary: concise, practical, informative, and very helpful
Review: I knew there would be a lot of baggage involved when I adopted a young greyhound who had been neglected, starved, and beaten prior to rescue. Although his fear did not make him agressive it did pose problems with daily activities: loud sounds, anyone walking behind him on the street, men, angry voices on TV, the clicking sounds from soda cans, cameras, or ball-point pens, anything remotely shaped like a stick...the list of things that completely paralized him went on and on. My sister, who is active in Aussie rescue, suggested this booklet (she was coping with a rescued fear-biter at the time). The suggestions in this book enabled us both to help our very different animals blossom into the confident, well-mannered, loving, envy-inspiring dogs they are today. Of special help to me was understanding that 'comforting' behaviour on my part just gave my dog the certainty that there really was something to worry about. As soon as I changed that he began to act less anxious. When rescued he was never supposed to be allowed to be an only dog because of his nervous anxiety and self-destructive coping methods. So when my elder grey passed some months back we worried about regression. Thanks to this booklet he is more happy, playful, and calm than ever before. He even lies tummy-up on the grass a few feet away as my husband swings his golf clubs and works on his game. His utter indifference to a big stick was something I never imagined possible and would never have happened without the wisdom in this little booklet. Thank you, Ms. McConnell!
Rating:
Summary: Elevenpeaks Kennels Recommends this BOOK
Review: If you have a probelm with your pet I would strongly suggest you purchase this book.
It written for the average person to read and understand what is expected of you as the owner and what should be expected of a well socialized pet.
Rating:
Summary: Exactly solves the problem. No fancy pictures, just help.
Review: If you have any of the problems described in the summary for this book, and you are willing to read carefully, then this little book will help you and your dog.
If you are looking for easy one-liners, glossy photos, or snappy humor, it's not for you.
It's a serious dog training book and solved our problems completely in exactly the amount of time the introduction said it would. We were dedicated and followed the steps perfectly.
Rating:
Summary: Good info
Review: Just be aware that this is a small booklet, and not an actual book. It surprised me when it arrived in the mail since I was expecting a soft bound book. The information is helpful, but I could certainly benefit from a larger compilation of examples and tips.
Rating:
Summary: The Cautious Canine changed my dog From Cujo to Cuddles
Review: The Cautious Canine, How to Help Dogs Conquer Their Fears, by Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D.,
probably saved my fear aggressive Sheltie's life. At the very least, it secured his place in my heart and my home forever. When my sweet, cute, cuddly ball of fur, Pierce, started acting like "Cujo" at 3-4 months of age, it was very distressing to say the least. Trying to take him for a walk was a traumatic experience, every time. He would lunge, growl and bark at anything and everything that moved - cars, children, adults, bicycles, dogs and cats (and many that did not, such as fire hydrants and mailboxes). Less than 20 pounds, he was strong enough to pull me off my feet, causing me to slip on ice and hurt my back. I had been training dogs in obedience and doing pet assisted therapy for 10 years, so I was not a clueless, first-time pet owner who didn't know which end of the leash was up. I had worked in classes with other people's dogs with aggression problems, but this was the first one to live in my home. I had Pierce neutered, stepped up his obedience training and socialization and enrolled him in agility class to build his confidence. I consulted with 7 different trainers, many of whom said I should rehome him or worse... Although at times I was afraid of him and often frustrated to the point of tears, I wasn't prepared or willing to go down that road. I made a commitment to Pierce and I was determined to find a way. Thankfully, I found "Cautious Canine". It became my bible. Dr. McConnell's book is written in very easy to understand language, with a great sense of humor and a genuine love for dogs. It offers a common sense approach to solving problem behaviors. The methods are always fair to the dog and easy to understand and apply. Yes, you have to do the work, but the tools are all there for you, and I can say from personal experience, they work. I am eternally grateful to Dr. McConnell for writing the book. "Cautious Canine helped me to turn "Cujo" into "Cuddles". Not only am I now able to walk Pierce around the block, the training helped strengthen our bond. We now enjoy competing in agility, obedience and rally obedience. To date, Pierce has earned 7 agility titles, his APDT Rally Obedience Level 1 Title, Magna Cum Laude, a leg in novice obedience, is an accomplished Therapy Dog with over 150 visits and has recently taken a few herding lessons. I highly recommend this book for every dog owner, but it is a MUST HAVE, if you own a dog who is the least bit "socially challenged...
Rating:
Summary: So you have a dog who is scared?
Review: This book is for you if you have a dog that is very cautious because he is scared, this is the book for you. This book will give you step by step instructions on how to change your furocious dog into a cuddly puppy.
Rating:
Summary: So you have a dog who is scared?
Review: This book is for you if you have a dog that is very cautious because he is scared, this is the book for you. This book will give you step by step instructions on how to change your furocious dog into a cuddly puppy.
Rating:
Summary: Practical, Workable Advice--it doesn't get better than this!
Review: This is one of the finest little gems in the dog behavior world--a practical, step-by-step guide to help desensitize and modify unwanted responses, while building confidence in your dog. This book's advice is the very same approach I used to take my juvenile delinquent dog from a problem child to the National Service Dog of the Year. I buy copies of this book and give them out constantly. If your dog has reactivity problems--for whatever reason, this is a book that will change your dog's life.
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