Dogs Behaving Badly: An A-To-Z Guide to Understanding and Curing Behavioral Problems in Dogs - Hardcover

Dodman, Nicholas

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0553108735 ISBN 13: 9780553108736

Publisher: Bantam, 1999

Synopsis

Dr.  Nicholas Dodman, bestselling author of The Dog Who Loved Too Much--praised as "the most important book on dog behavior of this century" by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas--has written the book every dog owner has been waiting for: an authoritative and practical A-to-Z guide to understanding canine behavioral problems and what we can do about them... Dogs Behaving Badly.

With wit, wisdom, and compassion, Dr.  Dodman gets us inside the minds of our pets to learn what makes them do the crazy things they do.  From aggression to zoonosis and just about everything in between, he tackles such common problems as nipping, tail chasing, excessive barking, and garbage scavenging, as well as more difficult conditions that often defy explanation--not to mention treatment.

Drawing on the latest research in canine behaviorism and pharmacology, in addition to case histories from his own practice at the prestigious Tufts University Veterinary Center, Dr.  Dodman offers easy-to-follow, effective techniques for curing even the most destructive behavioral problems.  We meet Tucker, the bluetick coonhound who went berserk over sounds ranging from a ringing doorbell to a falling leaf, and Maggie, the German short-haired pointer who suffered from increasingly severe false pregnancies and fiercely guarded a stuffed toy.  We learn how an underexercised Border collie can become a compulsive overeater; how a dominant Doberman can be getting the wrong, and potentially disastrous, messages from its owner; why dogs jump on people (and why saying no isn't the answer); and why some dogs suffer from separation anxiety while others may be getting more attention than they want.

Here are simple, sensible, step-by-step instructions on diet, exercise, environment, and lifestyle changes any pet owner can safely implement to effect seemingly miraculous improvement in their dog's behavior.  In addition, Dr.  Dodman provides an extensive appendix of behavioral techniques as well as essential information on pharmaceutical treatment and how to recognize a problem that requires professional help.

As he did in his classic The Dog Who Loved Too Much, Dr. Dodman proves once again that when it comes to caring for man's best friend, he's the best friend we have.

About this title

Review

A bestselling author, practicing veterinarian--director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, no less--and passionate animal advocate, Dr. Nicholas Dodman's pioneering work in the field of animal psychology has made him a favorite with admiring colleagues and "problem" pet owners worldwide. His first two books, The Dog Who Loved Too Much and The Cat Who Cried for Help, presented alternative treatments for undesirable pet behavior that, prior to advancements in animal psychology, were treated with severe training methods or, worst case, euthanasia. Now, in Dogs Behaving Badly, Dodman addresses 26 of the most common canine behavior problems and offers practical treatment plans that focus on understanding what your dog is trying to communicate through his behavior--which, according to Dodman, is the key to effectively treating our pets. Arranged alphabetically and incorporating case studies as well as the most recent discoveries made in animal psychology, this exceptional guide covers a wide range of perplexing problems, including aggression, barking, compulsive behavior, "X-Files" (unexplainable behavior), yawning, and zoonosis (the transmittal of disease from dogs to humans). Also included is a thorough appendix of behavioral modification techniques as well as invaluable information on drug therapy and how to recognize when your dog requires professional help. Informative and extremely practical--right down to the easy-to-use A-to-Z reference format--Dogs Behaving Badly proves that "when it comes to caring for man's best friend, Dr. Dodman is the best friend we have." --Stefanie Hargreaves

From the Back Cover

Praise for the work of Dr. Nicholas Dodman:

The Dog Who Loved Too Much:

"I was immediately taken in by the tales and treatments in The Dog Who Loved Too Much. They make for fascinating and engrossing reading for all those interested in understanding the nature of dogs in their full biological and behavioral complexity."
--Oliver Sacks, M.D., author of An Anthropologist on Mars

"Dodman's descriptions of various 'problem dogs' make fascinating reading, and his recommended 'treatments' are often unusually insightful and always quite practical. His sections on the various forms of canine aggression ought to be required reading for every dog owner."
--Stanley Coren, author of The Intelligence of Dogs

"Dr. Nicholas Dodman offers an entertaining and engaging account of common behavioral problems along with cutting-edge treatment ideas that will enlighten dog lovers everywhere. The Dog Who Loved Too Much will allow owners to regain control over their own and their dogs' destinies and ensure that their pooch will remain man's best friend."
--John J. Ratey, M.D., Harvard Medical School, co-author of Driven to Distraction and Answers to Distraction

The Cat Who Cried For Help:

"An engaging, literate, storytelling Scottish vet, Dodman is a super scientist as well as a fine writer....Cat lovers can expect a treat from The Cat Who Cried for Help."
--Newsday

"A wonderful and splendid follow-up to The Dog Who Loved Too Much...Like his countryman James Herriot, Dr. Dodman uses fascinating case studies to illustrate his points, and his writing is very witty and shining with respect and affection....I love Dr. Dodman's work!"
--Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, author of The Hidden Life of Dogs
and The Tribe of Tiger

"Establishes a new frontier for the veterinary profession...essential reading for all who live with cats."
--Dr. Michael Fox, author of Understanding Your Cat

Edition details

• Publisher: Bantam
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0553108735
• ISBN 13: 9780553108736
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 304