Customer Reviews

If Only They Could Speak: Stories About Pets and Their People

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Dr. Nicholas Dodman, author of four other books on dog and cat behavior and founder of the Behavioral Clinic at Tufts Veterinary School, has once again demonstrated why he's a leading authority on dog/cat behavior. "If Only They Could Speak" chronicles several stories on dog and cat behavior pulled from the clinic's lengthy history.

The reader gets to see the "case" from start to finish, and in doing so comes to an understanding as to the necessity for treating serious behavioral issues from a behavior modification as well as a pharmacological approach. But the author's style keeps the book moving from chapter to chapter. Aptly subtitled, "Stories about Pets and Their People", Dr. Dodman presents each case in such a manner that the love between the pet and its owner is not given a backseat to the issues at hand.

It is unlikely that any pet owner will fail to recognize one or more of the problems related in "If Only They Could Speak". Dominance, separation anxiety, and aggression problems are handled with Dr. Dodman's normal aplomb and compassion. And while the problems are serious, disrupting the owner's household and day-to-day life, Dr. Dodman offers helpful information which should go a long way to helping the owners and dogs resolve their problems. Dr. Dodman's writing style makes for a fast and enjoyable read.

I picked this book up on a whim, since I own two neurotic miniature Dachshunds. I was captivated from the first paragraph of the preface. Dr. Dodman writes eloquently, with wit, compassion, and common sense about the pitfalls we fallible humans fall into when it comes to interacting with our beloved pets. Most importantly for me was the reassurance it gave that there are millions of dedicated animal-lovers who know that animals are not "just pets." They have feelings and emotional needs, too. Thank you, Dr. Dodman, for a wonderful read, and a confirmation that there lots of cherished doggies out there!!!

This book should be required reading for anyone contemplating getting a pet of any kind, and even those who have had pets all their lives will learn much from this latest treasure from Dr. Dodman. No one comes close to having his depth of understanding of animal behavior, and most especially, of how it is profoundly affected by the relationship of animals with humans. The beautifully-told stories in this book, at turns inspirational and heart-wrenching, will cause much reflection in readers. I thought I already understood how my feelings and behavior could affect my pets, because, after reading Dr. Dodman's book "The Cat Who Cried for Help" I sought him out to solve what other vets had written off as an impossible situation between my two cats. Dr. D. with endless patience never gave up on my cats--or on me!--and his compassionate understanding resulted in a happy ending for Peri, Dax & me. But in reading this book, I learned much about my own behavior that I could see created and contributed to perpetuating the problem (Dr. Dodman, the soul of kindness, very nicely didn't point it out at the time!)So, if you care about animals, have animals, or are contemplating getting animals, get this book today--it will make a world of difference to them, and to you. (Thanks again, Dr. D.!!!)

I enjoyed "The Dog who Loved too Much" (which might have been better titled "the Dog Owner who Loved too Much") so I picked this book up for more engaging stories of animal behavior and problem resolutions. My interest was further piqued by the chapter heading, "The Pit Bull from Hell". As the owner of a 9 year old pit bull, I have to say that Mr Dodman does not really "get" pit bulls. It's probably because the people who tend to have pit bulls cannot afford fancy schmancy animal behaviorist sessions.

Mr Dodson seems to imply that aggression against people is something normal in pit bulls, just lying beneath the surface of even those "cupcake" pit bulls he mentions in passing. I have lived in a densely populated urban neighborhood where pit bulls are popular for over 30 years, and I have never felt threatened by any of the local pit bulls including those used for dog fighting. I have been menaced by rottweilers, a rott-GSD mutt, and GSD mixed breeds running off leash in a local park.

The author describes a somewhat naive young man who tries to adopt a pit bull at a shelter but is directed to a pit bull breeder (WHY? with so many pit bull puppies ending up in shelters everywhere!) The dog he acquired seemed to be a product of careless dog breeding, but we are told nothing of the breeder. The animal developed a decidedly atypical aggression towards adult humans, probably a genetic error compounded by the ignorant owner's lack of understanding of dominant dog behavior.

I'm surprised that Mr Dodson didn't take this opportunity to point out the extreme importance of training puppies not to exhibit food aggression, as I did with my little pit bull. Food aggression causes so many dangerous problems with dogs and people that every dog, not just pit bulls, should be trained to allow people to take his food, bone, or whatever away from him at any time. This is most easily done when the animal is very young! I think Mr Dodson needs to get out and meet some good pit bulls, those entertaining and loyal companions which will never find their way to an animal behaviorist.

I am actually more of a horse person but this book if great for anyone who loves animals! Even some people who dont like animals would enjoy it. Dr. Dodman's humor and knoledge are the perfect combination of make this book a great success. The stories are great! Hope you buy this book...enjoy!

I've read books by Dr. Dodman before and I've enjoyed his easy-to-read story-telling writing style. With my interest in animal behavior, I found the book a good diversity of compiled cases from his work and very similar to Pam Johnson-Bennett's "Hiss and Tell". The stories are simple but have great meaning especially to owners that may not be familiar with their companion animal's behaviors. This is not a book to help you solve or analyze your own pet's behavior problems (for that I'd recommend something from Patricia McConnell or some of Pam Johnson-Bennett's other books). One slight possible miss understanding is the subtitle "Understanding the powerful bond between dogs and their owners" since some of the stories feature a cat instead of a dog, but the book is primarily canine animal behavior case studies that Dr. Dodman had encountered. There are some nice documents in the appendix that pet owners or those interested in animal behavior may find useful such as a Dominance Aggression survey (if performing, I recommend extreme vigilance of the dog since many of the criteria suggested could put an owner in a dangerous situation if the dog is indeed aggressive) and common behavior problems with the typical breed associated with it. Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone curious about companion animal behavior or pet owners curious about other owner's experiences.

I think I've read all his books. I just read them cover to cover and have learned much. Arrived fast and in great condition.

Dr. Dodman is a world renowned animal psychiatrist and his and all of his books are great sources for information about understanding dogs and correcting bad behavior.

As if we don't have enough to worry about in regards to the children of today being overmedicated...now our pets, too?! His solution to almost every problem was prescribing an antidepressant. Also, his writing of his patients' owners came across as very egotistical and condescending. Some of the stuff had merit, but it was the same thing any trainer or behaviorist would tell you to do...establish dominance, ignore bad behaviors and reward good, etc.

This should have been a fine book, but the author's stilted prose and misuse of words on every second page nearly ruined it for me. Dodman swings wildly from overly prim writing to embarrassingly slangy, a sure sign of a bad writer.

Oliver Sacks, please report to the Veterinary School!