Customer Reviews

The Latchkey Dog: How the Way You Live Shapes the Behavior of the Dog You Love

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book is a must read, funny, informative manual/guide. The best one I have read yet. I ordered 20 to give to every person I know who owns (or is owned by) a dog . It is a what-to-do AND how-to-think for dog owners, those who are home with their dogs and those who are not.. The bottom line is that the two most important things a dog owner has to do is establish, with the dog, a common language, and then make the dog a useful, working member of the family. When dogs are clear about their jobs and what you expect of them, a happy household is the result. The stories in the book are great. Plus the book is funny, "Dogs who push their owners around in the house usually pull them around outside the house." Great read, real life solutions to every day getting along!

This is an informative, easy to comprehend book on how our behavior affects our dog's behavior. I highly recommend this to both novice dog owner and experienced handler. I am a breeder with 7 dogs of my own and I found new insights as well as reminders of things I already knew but was forgetting to implement (like making my dogs "work" for love and food). Reimplementing these ideas has already created happier and better behaved dogs in my household. Another topic Anderson spotlights is selecting a dog. From a breeder's standpoint her suggestions on matching owner/lifestyle to breed characteristics are invaluable to guarenteeing a happy, premanent home for my pups. A must read!

I was browsing in my local bookstore today when a salesperson placed this book on the table and the sad, but precious, dog on the cover immediately struck me, as well as the clever title. As the owner of an eight-month,energetic yellow lab, I welcome any suggestions on dog training so I immediately began to page through the book and was hooked! The author demonstrates a smart, clear approach to dog training, as well as sharing funny stories from her experiences as a dog trainer. I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone who owns a dog, is about to own one or is just thinking about it. An excellent resource for dog training!!

This is a very well-written, very informative book from a very knowledgeable author. It provides the reader with a good deal of insight into understanding what motivates, what frustrates and what brings joy to the pet that you love. Probably the best (and the most up-to-date) dog behavior book around.

It's about time someone wrote a training book about why we should do certain things with our dogs and not just what to do. Most training books focus on the basics..then, when a dog problem doesn't neatly fit into the, "Come, sit, stay" category we are at a loss for what to do. Jodi Andersen's book presents an entirely sane, simple philosophy, complete with case studies and examples, that helps us know what to do with our dogs in any situation. I have been using "The Latchkey Dog" ideas for only one week and already I have a better behaved, happier dog. I LOVE this book. To Ms. Andersen: "When can we have a sequel?" PS It was great to see Andersen on the Today Show with the dog from the shelter. Real dogs, Real solutions!

This is hand's down the best book I have ever read on the subject of dog training, and especially dog behavior. It is educational and entertaining at the same time. This book goes beyond just telling you how to "fix" your dog's problems (or more correctly YOUR problems), it explains why they happen in the first place, so you can recognize why your dog behaves the way he/she does. This book is a MUST for any dog owner- and especially those of us who treat our dogs like members of our family- which can be the cause of many behavior problems in our beloved pets (read the book to find out why). The author isn't saying that your dog can't be a member of your family- she definitely thinks they can and should be, just that they simply shouldn't RULE your family. If you love your dog at all and want to better understand him/her and be able to communicate more effectively with him/her buy this book!

This book was too good to pass up cosidering the title and subject matter. It seems that our canine friends are much more intelligent and perceptive than we give them credit for. The author believes the our own behavior impacts our canine companions behavior. Much of the book examines this dynamic relationship.

I enjoyed the stories and the systematic approach by the author to resolve them, in a break it down into pieces to tackle each behaviorial issue seperately.

I wish the book would have included a list of common behaviorial problems and solutions on how to resolve them in an appendix for quick reference.

I would highly recommend this book to the owner at his wits ends with his dogs behavior.

An insightful work--Ms. Andersen peers into to our dogs' eyes and captures their minds and souls.

Presented with clarity, wit, poise and gentle good humor, this book unlocks the mysteries of successfully parenting today's canine companion.

If I had this book when I acquired my first dog, I'd have made a lot less mistakes (and retained significantly more of my sanity).

This book is not exactly how to train a puppy to be a good dog, but how to train its owner to be a good owner/trainer. Dogs, like people become bored and need to find new challenges to explore. They also need to be around people, to be accepted, loved and feel a sense of belonging. If you are working and not with the dog for much of the day, he or she will find something to occupy his or her mind, whether it be chewing on a bone or your expensive leather furniture. Until puppy understands the difference, the bone and furniture are one and the same. If "Fido" chews up your garden while being tied in the back yard, ask youself what you would do if someone tied you up in the back yard for hours on end? Dog's have a natural instinct to dig.

This book is an excellent source of information and provides some very basic information in "dog psychology" that will help you understand what your canine friend needs to be a well-mannererd, happy, well-adjusted friend. Dogs, like people, are not mind readers; they need to be taught with loving care and kindless the difference between what is acceptable and what is not. "The Latchkey Dog" is an excellent resource book - "Lesson 101" in dog psychology.

This book is so good that it makes other writers about dog training look ignorant. It offers theoretical and practical advice on how to build a healthy relationship with your dog, and is recommended both for puppies and for older dogs who are exhibiting behavioural problems. It explains what's happening from the dog's point of view and how to correct it. Ms Anderson has opened my eyes to a world I thought I already knew, and my new dog and I are very grateful.