The Well-Adjusted Dog: Dr. Dodman's 7 Steps to Lifelong Health and Happiness for Your BestFriend

by Nicholas H. Dodman

Overview

One of the greatest myths in dog ownership is that once a puppy is housetrained and has graduated from a puppy training class, an owner’s work is done. In fact, that work is just beginning.Drawing on some twenty-five years of clinical experience, Dr.Dodman offers what he calls "continuing education" for dogs and their owners. You will discover

• how much exercise your dog really needs (and why)
• how diet can affect behavior
• how to communicate clearly with your dog and understand dog body language
• how to lead your dog, not dominate him
• how to optimize your dog’s environment
• how to address medical problems that might underlie unwanted behavior

Dr.Dodman’s comprehensive, seven-step approach takes on the whole dog—his health, behavior, and environment—and lays the groundwork for the proper care and training of your best friend, for life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780547237749
Publisher:	Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication date:	06/01/2009
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	284
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

NICHOLAS DODMAN is a world-renowned animal behaviorist, who has appeared on Oprah, the Today show, 20/20, and CNN.

Table of Contents

A Note to the Reader viii

Introduction ix

Part 1 Basic Needs 1

1 A Tired Dog Is a Good Dog 3

2 Food for Thought 17

3 Dog Speak 33

4 Command and Control 57

5 Leadership Program 81

6 The Fearful Dog 109

7 Environmental Enrichment 135

Part 2 Maladjustment and Medical Matters 153

8 A Rock and a Hard Place 155

9 Physical Health Concerns 179

10 Healing Potions 211

Part 3 A Second Chance 237

11 Adopting a Dog 239

Epilogue 249

Acknowledgments 251

Index 253

Editorial Reviews

Dogs, like humans, need a well-rounded life for happiness and health, says author and animal behaviorist Dodman (The Dog Who Loved Too Much, Dogs Behaving Badly) in his latest. Many of his seven steps-enough exercise, the right diet, proper corrective measures-will be familiar, but Dodman's clear delivery and insight make this a worthwhile cover-to-cover read. A strong advocate for positive reinforcement (nixing measures like choke chains and shock collars), Dodman's techniques may strike some as coddling, but his supporting arguments and anecdotes are strong and sensible. The latter half covers topics like conflict resolution and unwanted behaviors (anxiety around strangers, compulsive tail chasing), giving dog lovers multiple suggestions for each problem point-with the notable exception of storm phobia, a multifaceted fear-generating experience that's almost impossible to defuse (though the new static electricity-blocking Storm Defender cape offers promise). Dodson refrains from sweeping pronouncements, frequently pausing to explain that different breeds have different needs, enabling readers to fine-tune their regimens. While this handbook isn't the be-all end-all (and of course doesn't replace regular trips to the vet), it's thorough and informative enough to benefit any dog owner.
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