Dog Talk: Lessons Learned from a Life with Dogs (Hardcover)

by Harrison Forbes (Author), Beth Adelman (Author)
Key Phrases: bite suit, bite work, fight drive, Ivan the Terrible, United States, Lex's Last Days (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In the newest life-with-dogs memoir, veteran dog trainer and radio show co-host Forbes forgoes the maudlin for some genuine insight into dog behavior and psychology. Beginning with Lex, a German Shepherd that attacked its owner's wife, Forbes chronicles the challenges and victories of rehabilitating and living with aggressive dogs that others would have given up on. Forbes doesn't offer a program for dog training, but readers will benefit from his insights on the importance of a consistent training regimen and his approach to managing aggression. Arguing that dogs' behavior is 75 percent genetic and 25 percent environmental, Forbes doesn't offer any pat answers to handling a challenging dog besides a lot of patience and hard work. Still, those interested in the hows and whys of dog attacks and aggression will find the book useful, and Forbes' tone of love and respect for his charges is itself both instructive and encouraging.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

“An anomaly of recent publishing is dog books written by writers who don't know much about dogs and don't seem to like them all that much. Mr. Forbes book is happily different. Harrison Forbes is modest about his own accomplishments but introduces us vividly to the minds and spirits of some fascinating, extremely difficult dogs (How many of us have a dog that has put 11 people in a hospital?). Dog Talk is deeply and importantly about dogs and those humans who understand and love them. I gladly pay Mr. Forbes the highest compliment one dog man can pay another: I would trust him with my dogs.”--Donald McCaig, New York Times bestselling author of Nop's Trials, Eminent Dogs, Dangerous Men and A Useful Dog 

"Harrison Forbes talks 'dog' fluently. As one of this country's leading dog trainers and behaviorists, he truly understands canines and can solve any doggy dilemmas in his unique, no-fuss style. Whether he's importing and training German Shepherds for high security police work or schooling Chihuahuas to cope with apartment-style living, he has some great stories to tell. If you love dogs, you'll love this book."--Sandy Robins, Pet lifestyle expert, author and regular  pet contributor to MSNBC.com and DogCentral.MSN.com

“Harrison Forbes is a treasure for the pet-loving public. He has the combination of experience and intelligence that cuts to the essence of those topics that matter.”--Rolan Tripp, DVM, veterinary content consultant for Animal Planet and Founder of Animalbehavior.net

"In a compelling and engaging style, Harrison Forbes has recounted experiences with dogs throughout his life.  In doing so, he reminds us of the extraordinary power of the human-animal bond and the special relationship we have with dogs in modern American culture."--Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO, The Humane Society of the United States

“Harrison Forbes is who I use for all my dog advice.”--James Gandolfini, actor

 

 

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (September 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312378734
• ISBN-13: 978-0312378738
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #708,137 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I thought, November 4, 2008

By	Long-Time BookNut (PA., USA) - See all my reviews

This book was not what I thought it would be. I was hoping it would give me insight into the minds of dogs who displayed signs of having been abused or mistreated in the past, and propose strategies of how to help them overcome their fears or insecurities. I hoped it would give me insight into the connection between past experiences, current behaviors, and suggested ways to bridge the gaps. Instead, I found it to be about a man who trained dogs for aggressive actions, albeit sometimes necessary for police work, and extolling his own virtues of how macho he was in taking on and training and working with extremely strong-willed and potentially and actually dangerous dogs. I learned about how fearless and competent dogs are trained for police work, but frankly, I grew weary of the author tooting his own horn about his own greatness and competence. It should have been marketed differently to appeal to that aspect of the population that wants to read a book of this nature. It did not help me at all in dealing with a so-called normal dog with idiosyncracies. I donated my copy to the library as it was no source of future reference for me.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TERRIFIC DOG ADVICE, November 4, 2008

By	L. Douty "Avid Reader" (Memphis TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Anyone who loves great pet stories will be endlessly entertained with this book. Everything from heartfelt attachment to pets to family dramas to skilled insight into dog behavior is contained within its pages. I learned alot about dog training and picked up some great tips to use with my own dog. A good read...I'm ordering extras to give my dog-loving friends for Christmas!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars less testosterone please !!, November 13, 2008

By	"chain gang mom" - See all my reviews

Found the content to be lacking. Not much about training. Reads more like this guys diary. I found the tone to be self serving and not in the best interest of these animals. I stopped thinking I would get anything useful out of it when this guy glorified how a poor sick dog went off into the night never to return. Made it seem like some kind of hero death. More likely the animal suffered a nasty fate in the woods. Lets call it what it is, and not some Disney boy and dog ending. I respect and admire service animals and this just made me feel sorry for some of them.