Dogs on the Couch: Behavior Therapy for Training and Caring for Your Dog

Increasingly, dog owners are turning away from traditional training methods and seeking something not only kinder, but more effective. In Dogs on the Couch, noted pet behaviorist Larry Lachman, and journalist Frank Mickadeit reveal a revolutionary alternative to the often cruel methods of the past.

Using extensive "case studies" of the many types of dogs-and owners-and borrowing cleverly from the decade's past experience with human family systems therapy, Lachman provides advice on how to make every stage of pet-owning joyful and rewarding. He helps dog-owners discover how behavior problems like phobias, nuisance barking, aggression, seperation anxiety, and fearfulness can develop-and how they can be solved and prevented. By addressing such issues as choosing the breed that is right for the family, dealing with pet rivalry, and introducing a new child into the family, this useful guide will help readers figure out how to help make their dogs the happiest and best companions they can be.

"Lachman concentrates on the relationship between the dog and every member of the household to discover safe, loving methods for training happy canine companions." (Dog Fancy)

"Larry Lachman's dog-training advice is straightforward, thoughtful, and humane. This is a man who clearly understands both sides of the human/dog relationship. . . . With Larry's guidance, owners can become their dog's best friend." (Karen A. Klemens in The Healthy Dog newsletter)

Dr. Larry Lachman is an animal behavior consultant. He founded and directs Family Animal: A Gentle Approach to Pet Behavior Training, which provides dog-training classes, veterinary seminars, and an internationally distributed newsletter. His methods have been featured in national newspapers.