Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

"Larry Lachman's Dogs on the Couch, written with Frank Mickadeit, is another great addition to a pet enthusiast's library, especially for those contemplating adopting their first puppy or dog. From sibling rivalries to phobias to just not minding their owners, the authors cover common canine behavior problems. Lachman, for many years a counselor working with abused children and others in need, turns many of the same techniques he has used with people to training dogs. He stresses the need to involve all family members when you are working to prevent or change a dog behavior problem, and he eschews physical punishment, such as the jerk-and-release technique. Dogs on the Couch offers a comprehensive look at what to do and not to do to create a happy, well-adjusted pet." --"Animals" Magazine, July/August 1999

As a professional pet groomer working in a veterinary hospital, I am constantly asked for referrals regarding pet bahavior problems and general concerns of my clients. "Dogs on the Couch" has been a fantastic source not only for my clients, but for myself as well. I now refer to the book on a regular basis to assist me with a "gentle approach" to pet grooming! It is a must read for any current or future pet owner.

What a great job the authors have done of making the understanding of our dogs possible -- through psychology. A great concept well executed. I found the chapters on "Ongoing Training," "Separation Anxiety," and "How Traditional Training Can be Harmful to your Dog" the most helpful. Very much in line with the books penned by the Monks of New Skeete. I found the instructions on how to work with the dominant dog when dealing with a two-dog household very helpful as I have a 6 year old female Golden Retriever and a 4 year old female Golden. The older dog is clearly dominant; but the younger dog often challenges her. Now I know what to do. Thankyou, authors, for a great guide book for those of us who love our dogs.

I liked Dogs on the Couch for many reasons. But, mostly, I appreciated the practical and realistic approach to dealing with common--and not so common--experiences with companion dogs...I felt that Lachman and Mickadeit also dealt, effectively,with many of the canine problems that often land dogs in shelters unnecessarily. The sections on bringing a new baby into a home with dogs and bringing a new dog into a home with children were particularly insightful...Finally, I found the author's explanations of the "pack instincts" which we unknowingly trigger in our dogs to be invaluable. By understanding the dog's point of view, it becomes possible to avoid unpleasant behaviors, rather than just dealing with them after they occur. Whether you are considering getting a dog, thinking about how to train your dog more effectively, or dealing with an established canine problem, Dogs on the Couch is a Must Read.---The Pet Channel Book Review

I got a copy of your book, "Dogs on the Couch," and read the part on Sibling Dog Fighting. I used your techniques to help my two fixed female Springer Spaniels to stop fighting. My husband and I did'nt realize we were accidentally rewarding the wrong dog as boss and setting up the fighting. It's been about a month and their fighting has dramatically gone down. Thanks. Your book is great.

Praise for DOGS ON THE COUCH

"There's nothing like an ill-behaved dog to ruin a home or community! LarryLachman and Frank Mickadeit have provided a tool whereby this sorry affliction can be avoided. There is nothing nicer in a home or community than a well-behaved dog. They are as important for human contentment as well behaved children. Recommended!"

--Roger A. Caras, President, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Author of "A Dog Is Listening" and "A Cat Is Watching."

"Although Dogs on the Couch contains a wealth of useful information, perhaps its most significant contribution is the method of training that it describes. It is training without leash jerks and harsh corrections. This is a refreshing change from the notions that part of dog training involves dominating the dog in a straight power display. Dogs, like horses, do not need to be 'broken' in order to have them work for us and obey our commands."

--Stanley Coren, PhD.Professor of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Author of "The Intelligence of Dogs" and "What Do Dogs Know?"

"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. Dogs on the Couch teaches families that making their canine behave doesn't require raising a hand. With Larry's guidance, owners can become their dog's best friend."

--Karen A. Klemens, Editor and Publisher of The Healthy Dog newsletter

"Larry Lachman and Frank Mickadeit capture, in a wonderfully readable form, the nuances and complexities of the ways we relate to our dogs, and the ways they relate to us. Their observations, analyses, and suggestions are well founded on empirical evidence and scientifically well established theories of human and animal behavior. Must reading for animals lovers and owners."

--Aghop Der-Karabetian, PhD., Professor of Psychology, University of LaVerne

I read your book over the past two weekends and have both enjoyed and learned a lot from it. Since last Saturday, we have thrown out the pinch collar for Calvin, our 120 lb. german shepherd, and he and I have been practicing "heel" with his regular collar on. Thanks.

Gloria, Chicago, Illinois

I was disappointed in this book. I expected humorous stories and real life experiences. It is more a book for training . It is dry .There was no stimulation. I still have not finished it. There were case histories, but they were described stiffly. I did not get the feeling of the experience. The information presented was useful. It is a good reference book. For me it was not entertaining.

Being a retired mail carrier, your chapter on the two carriers who were severely mauled by two out of control pit bulls was right on! Close to 3,000 carriers are attacked and bitten each year. And from MY experience, the pit bulls do lock on to its victims and won't let go. They don't back down, and if residents who own this dangerous dog wake up and smell the roses, they would keep them locked away or get another kind of dog. What you wrote was right on and all this flap in here from pit bull, or as they seem to refer to them selves,"APBT" owners just show how much in denial they are. People safety must come first! On behalf of mail carriers everywhere, THANK YOU!

Dogs on the Couch describes 5 different positive and humane alternative heeling collars, including the Halti, to use instead of the choke chain. Unless the dog is aggressive, they are used temporarily and are weaned off as the dog learns to heel. No choking or hanging.

The book also makes it clear that THERE IS NO ONE BREED OF DOG THAT IS INHERENTLY AGGRESSIVE, the authors do NOT support breed-specific legislation, and they put the onus of responsibility for dog bites on the OWNER.

Interested readers can look up annual dog bite statistics by consulting such resources as:"Dog Bite Related Fatalities--U.S., 1995," in the Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Reports, V. 46, Issue 21, U.S. Centers for Disease Control, May 30, 1997; "Dog Bites Recognized as Public Health Problem," Journal of the American Medical Association, V. 277, Jan 22-29, 1997, p. 278; and in "Dog Bite-Related Fatalities from 1979-1988," in the Journal of the American Medical Association, V. 262, 1989, p. 1489, by J.J. Sacks, et.al.

Taken in total, the book is balanced, positive and describes behavior therapy solutions to both simple and complicated dog behavior problems.

I just finished your book and it will definitely be the one I recommend to new owners or anyone with training questions. I really like the case files, they made the recommended solution easy to understand. I think that by explaining why the old methods of training don't work, help people to understand how a dog thinks and in-turn react to our behavior. Over the last 20 years I have witnessed too many dogs ruined by force methods of training. The chapter on Dangerous Doggy Lifestyles was very informative. There is definitely a problem with aggressive dogs now and it is a very controversial and emotional subject. I know alot of people with these breeds with aggression tendencies don't want to hear anything negative about them. The facts speak for themselves and when so many people, be it adults or children are being hurt, something is wrong. I'm glad you put it in your book.Chapter 19 is I think the most important chapter. So many books never address this issue and subsequently the other problems then arise. Your chapter on Pet Loss and Grief will relieve and help alot of pet owners that too often hear "he was just a dog" or "go get a new puppy". Your own pet losses were tough to get through, very touching. I think it is a great book, a must have for any "Dog Lover." ---Sherri, Mission Viejo, California