Customer Reviews

No Bad Dogs: The Woodhouse Way

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This isn't a step-by-step training book. It's an attempt at human adjustment. The author provides clear examples of how people's lack of canine understanding often causes "bad dogs." For example, if you have a neurotic, nervous dog, you shouldn't sympathize with it and coddle it (which only exacerbates the nervousness); you should take control and provide clear leadership, thus building the dog's confidence. Many times the owner's sympathy is the greatest hindrance to proper training, for a dog needs a leader. If you aren't it, the dog will run you.

Woodhouse provides solutions for all sorts of problem behavior such as soiling, jealousy, fighting, barking, and schizophrenia. And she teaches the proper use, and style, of choke chain by which to get the dog's attention without harming it. She provides examples of how she was able, with firmness, encouragement and praise, to create drastic changes within hours in problem dogs brought to her for training. The greatest hindrance to change was the owners themselves seeing their beloved pets manhandled. She also discusses how dogs, being quite telepathic, would often display the phobias and fears of their owners. For example, a woman who hates men may have a dog who hates men, or someone who is an erratic driver may create a dog that hates being in the car.

I quite enjoyed the book and read it in a couple of hours. I came away understanding the "mind" of a dog better, and with that understanding the necessity for firm leadership and a few tips and tricks for getting results.

A friend of ours got incarcerated for drunk driving. This lasted for six months. She had a dog named Maddie who was to be put in a doggie's home. I took the dog. Maddie was a German Shepard mix and a whole lot sweeter than human beings! Everybody loved her. But when I walked her, she would chase after other dogs. And she would howl terribly at them. I got this book at a yard sale. What Woodhouse said in it frightened me a great deal. A CHOKE CHAIN! YELLING AT THE DOG! It was a riculous book. But Woodhouse assured the reader that a choke chain would not hurt the dog or even cause ANY pain (if you did it right). And she also said that the yelling was necessary. I didn't want to yell at Maddie. I don't like people who hit their dogs, not counting their children. But I had to do something. Every 30 min. walk and bathroom session and Maddie would go crazy at some neighbor's fence that had a dog in the yard. Pretty soon, I would avoid certain parts of the

neighborhood in North Hollywood. I bought the choke chain, reluctantly put it on Maddie, and followed Woodhouse's orders. I also used her "voice" technique. When Maddie would go after another dog, I was to yell real loud, "BAD DOG! REAL BAD BAD DOG! " (this once scared a policeman out of his pants! ) Using Woodhouse's advice, the choke chain caused no pain! I examined Maddie's eyes to see if there were any pain as I used it. Nothing at all. She didn't mind it a bit. But you will have to use it as Woodhouse states. Like a flick of the wrist. The next part was rougher. Screaming at Maddie when she would go after other dogs even with the choke chain on. I was also instructed to pet and praise her when she would pass a dog who was barking or just sitting quietly. This took about 20 days. And every now and then, she would have "relapses". But after one month, she was a real sight. And never went after other dogs. Then came a bad part of Woodhouse's books. Excessive petting. Yes, according to Woodhouse, you can pet your dog. And snuggle them. I would scratch Maddie's belly 400 times at once! But Woodhouse implied that this was habit-forming. And so I did cut down (not by very much, maybe 50%), and Maddie seemed much less restless! And she sure loved her belly rubbed! So this book really helped me! I had to give Maddie back when the owner got out. It was rough. But I did it. Maddie was over 4 years-old when I took her. It was the right thing to do. I don't want to think about it. BUY THIS BOOK! BUY THIS BOOK! BUY THIS BOOK!

If you've never trained a dog, start here. Barabara's philosphy is that most dog problems are "owner" problems. That dogs key into what their owners are thinking. That said, Barbara uses corrective training techniques with a choke chain. The current thinking is that you need to also use "reward" based training.

Some trainers use only one of the other. I claim you need to tailor it to the particular dog. Some dogs couldn't care less how much you yank them around by the neck, others will quit behaving after they've had enough treats. Anyway reward based training requires lots of variations in the reward, sometimes its a game of frisbee.

With corrective training you need to assert yourself as the head of the pack. Seems to work well with some dogs, especially those more alpha pack dogs. But all dogs require lots of rewards to be well adjusted. And as you can see from the cover photo Barbara does reward her dogs.

This book was a good primer for understanding the basics of dog behavior and the psychology of dog training. The book gives a general understanding of how to perceive the mind of a dog. It also stresses that the personality of the owner can enhance or detract from dog performance. The best attribute of the book is that it teaches the nature of true love, honor and respect between dog and master. I would like to see Ms. Woodhouse do a followup with more details and pictures on basic dog training techniques.

Woodhouse offers all dog owners the tools needed for building a successful and meaningful relationship with their dogs. I have realized that my dog's "problems" are easily cured and that we can have a life-long partnership full of love and happiness. What a relief!

We have a problem dog, and had heard that this book was excellent for learning how to train dogs. However, we found it's an excellent resource for training PUPPIES. This book assumes you'e starting out with a puppy, and does not address how to deal with problems already ingrained in an adult dog.

Thankfully I got this book from the library and did not spend the money on it. I found it too generalized with the only method of teaching to be a collar jerk using a choke chain. She catagorized dog problems by chapters. Each chapter was at most 2 pages long. She did not spend the time to fully explain her chapters and most of the time offered no advice. A much better book to read is Mother Knows Best by Carol Lea Benjamin.

Having had dogs my entire life, I have my own biases and opinions. Some jibe with hers, some don't. We have a pup, now nearly 4 months old, registered German Shepherd, and as we are in our early 60s, probably our last dog. We don't want to make mistakes with her, so have bought several books and are picking the "best" from each. She's extremely intelligent -- per the vet, months ahead of her peers -- so we don't want to make mistakes during this critical time. Are also reading a book about monks that raise German Shepherds for family pets, a book by the Dog Whisperer, and drawing from our experience with a couple of dogs we have had who were exceptionally intelligent and perceptive that have a permanent part of our hearts. She has all that potential and with these books, plus a private trainer (hang the expense, this is our only child and really important to a disabled woman who spends a lot of time alone) we plan to raise the perfect combination of companion and protector of us and our small farm.

I remember when this book came out and I saw Barbara making the rounds on TV. I also think she had a TV show. I was impressed.

Anyway, we have used Barbara's techniques with all our beloved hounds over the years.

Our Bostons and Bulldog, present and those passed on, have always been very happy and well behaved. We can't imagine life without them.

Just as for children, here are three things that will help raise a happy and well adjusted pet:

1.) LOve...caring for them as you would a child.
2.) Consistency...everyone working from the same page, doing the same things and following through.
3.) Boundaries...setting them early and letting them know what's expected.

You will be surprised at how much your pet will want to please you. He just needs to know what he's supposed to do.

Those three tips and Barbara's advice is sure to help you and your dog have a very happy life together.

Having loaned my original copy I ordered this to replace it. It is a fine book on dog training and since we have a new puppy I decided I needed it.