Understanding Your Pet the Eckstein Method of Pet Therapy and Behavior Training

What makes a dog dive under the couch in a thunderstorm? Why do cats howl or climb the drapes? Understanding Your Pet helps pet owners learn to understand pet behaviors that can lead to problems. Easy-to-follow, experience-tested methods can help make life with a pet more enjoyable. (Animals)6 1/2 x 6 1/2.

YA The Eckstein method of pet therapy and behavior training (which they believe are inseparable) is based on their belief that if a person can be educated, then a pet can be, too. Choosing the right pets, learning to understand them, problems of consistency, house-breaking disorders (emotional or educational), phobias, appetite and emotional disorders, pets of divorce and choosing a kennel are a few of the topics discussed. Thought-provoking questions and helpful lists appear throughout the book. Secondary students will appreciate insights into why their pets behave as they do and will want to read this helpful book, especially if they have heard the authors on shows such as Hour Magazine or Saturday Morning Live. The lack of illustrations and photographs, however, will be a detriment to many would-be readers. Mary Wadsworth Sucher, Baltimore County Reading Services
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This is one more of the "if you understand your pet's thought processes, then you'll be able to train it" type of book. It contains questions for owners to ask themselves, advice on problems, and suggestions for coping with situations stressful to pets (e.g. separation). Although the advice is humane, the authors fail to distinguish clearly what to expect from pets of different ages. For instance, they state that housebreaking cannot begin too early, yet fail to tell novice owners what are reasonable housebreaking expectations for pups at very young ages. This book is enjoyable reading, but first-time owners might be served better by a more basic advice book. Illustrations not seen. Susan Matusak, Wilson Coll. Lib., Chambersburg, Pa.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.