Customer Reviews

Dogs are from Neptune (Dogs Behaving Badly!)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love Dogs are from Neptune and Culture Clash, both by Jean Donaldson. This expert trainer is also a thoughtful and engaging writer. By really moving into and explaining the mind of the dog, Donaldson goes beyond a training how-to. Instead, she gives me, as the trainer of my own dogs, the tools I need to figure out how to solve my own training problems. It has caused me to think about my dogs and how I train in a whole new way. If I wasn't training my dogs, I'd still read these books because they make me laugh (a lot)!

If you liked Ms Jean Donaldson's first book "Culture Clash" - you will like "Dogs are From Neptune" ... In fact, I would suggest that this book is a necessary follow-up.

"Dogs are From Neptune" is written in Ms Donaldson's distinct and forthright style ... The author is clear in her views and sure of her methods ... The reader can either agree or disagree but there is little grey where the author is concerned ...

That said - Ms Donaldson writes in an incisive way, expressing her thoughts in a manner that makes for easy reading ...

"Dogs are From Neptune" is a collection of case studies ... dealing with "difficult" and "problem" dogs - dogs with whom the more traditional training methods may not work so well ...

Together with Patricia B. McConnell's books, "Dogs are From Neptune" make essential reading for any owner/trainer interested in or needing to learning how to use positive training methods to "re-condition" a dog with difficult temperament or bad habits, ranging from counter surfing, food & object possession to the more serious issue of dogs that bully, dogs who are difficult to handle and dogs exhibiting nervous or defensive aggression ... The Editorial Review above provides a good summary of the areas covered in the book.

I found the use of case studies particularly the details provided - most useful ... by providing background to the "difficulty" faced by the respective dog and its owner/trainer ... the book allowed me to appreciate & understand with greater clarity the intention & purpose behind the methods used and suggested by Ms Jean Donaldson ...

Essentially, the book format adopted by the author, brings meat to the bones of training ...

And it doesn't take long for the reader to realise, that while the case studies are by their very nature specific to each case ... Ms Donaldson's methodology, rational and style of training & teaching a dog - can easily be adapted/modified to meet the range of difficulties and issues an individual owner/trainer may face with his/her own dogs.

The book emphasises and teaches why it is so important for every owner/trainer to first understand basic dog behaviour, instinct & psychology and how using such knowledge & understanding in the teaching/training of our dogs reduces frustration, stress & trauma to both owner/trainer & dog, and increases our chances of success.

Most important, the author teaches us how to maintain through all difficult times, the essential bond of trust between our dogs & us.

All in all ... the book is detailed and very sufficient ... A very good read and a worthwhile buy ...

Some of the techniques Jean Donaldson recommends are counterintuitive. They go against everything we have been taught about dogs and dog training for the last 20 years. But, what do you know? When you try them, by golly, they work. Jean is down to earth and she knows dogs.

If you have a problem dog, a dog you are ready to give up on, try Jean's training methods first. You owe it to yourself and your dog. They aren't quick, easy fixes. They take time and effort. This book is worth every penny if you use the methods she describes.

Jean's other book, The Culture Clash is much better than this one. This book is simply a reprint of questions submitted to Jean via the Internet and her answers. There are many grammatical, spelling and typographical errors which make it seem as though the book was thrown together in Microsoft Word in an afternoon. The information presented is useful, but most will be better off with The Culture Clash.

I loved it. There is a TON of clear, organized and specific information on aggression, both to people and to dogs, as well as great information on solving other kinds of behavior problems. No other book that I've read has provided such nitty gritty detail and such frankness. It's clearly aimed at hard-core dog people but written in a way that a high-end owner could get it. Zero filler. I'd recommend it without hesitation. No one writes about dogs like this woman.

Jean Donaldson is one of the world's foremost experts on how dogs learn and how to teach them. Her methods are humane, based on the well-studied science of behaviorism, not stressful or harmful to dogs, and very, very effective.

The gems in this book are practical solutions to the everyday problems dog owners face, with just enough information thrown in so that dog owners can understand why their old methods didn't work, why these methods do work, and how to apply the principles to other situations.

Ms. Donaldson's most famous book, Culture Clash, goes into much more detail about the learning theory, how dogs think, and why we so often use the worst possible methods to train them. It is less a "how to" book than a "why" book. For people whose dogs are giving them fits, Dogs are from Neptune is the book to start with. Then, follow up with Culture Clash for a deeper understanding.

As a dog trainer specializing in behavior problems, I often recommend Neptune to my clients and they love it!

The best thing you can do for your dog is to read this book: and read Culture Clash: also by Jean Donaldson. I know dogs, and I know training; and I love dogs, and I love training. Yet I've never come across a more fantatsic; dog-knoweledgeble trainer! And talk about laymen's terms! These ARE the dog books for ALL levels of dog lovers!

And, like all advice columns, sometimes you get an answer to your question, and sometimes you don't. There is a lot of good information on behaviorism buried in the recommendations...but sometimes you have to read about a completely unrelated training issue to find out about things like desensitization and counter-conditioning. If you have the time, definitely read entries on more than just the issue that interests you.

There is also a bit more jargon in here than I thought was strictly necessary - if you don't have the concepts of behaviorism and learning theory down, you probably need to read another book before this one. Try such gems as Sophia Yin's "How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves," which introduces the concepts *first,* then shows you how to apply them. Also check out anything by Patricia McConnell, who not only knows her stuff, but knows how to teach it.

After struggling through The Culture Clash, I found Dogs are from Neptune to be a much easier, more outlined reading experience. The book is organized around problem areas and while much of the training recommendations are repeated, it still gives the reader clear cut, easy to follow training suggestions. I have used the book as a resource guide many times when working with my cattle dog foster dogs and coaching other foster families. Dog owners looking for a quick fix may be dismayed at the amount of training she recommends to solve dog behavior issues. However, I have found her suggestions to work well. I still recommend The Culture Clash as a necessary read along with Dogs are from Neptune, however expect this book to be much easier to follow.

Excellent resource book that should be a part of every dog owner's reference library. Handles all phases of dog training from aggression to submissive urination. Question and answer format works well. Arlene Millman, author of BOOMERANG - A MIRACLE TRILOGY (The tale of a remarkable Boston Terrier).