Good Dog! Practical Answers to Behavior Questions [Kindle Edition]

Steve Dale (Author), Betty White (Foreword), Victoria Stilwell (Introduction), Sheldon Rubin (Introduction)

Book Description

Whether you are a first-time or long-time dog owner, “Good Dog!” is the book to keep readily at hand. Author Steve Dale, a certified animal behavior consultant and syndicated columnist on pet behavior, provides insights, tips, and tools for handling all range of behavior issues. “Good Dog!” tackles some of the most common and difficult behaviors, using positive reinforcement to correct them.

Written with pet owner questions and answers from Dale’s columns, “Good Dog!” covers such topics as dogs’ aggression--towards people or each other; training challenges; noise and separation anxieties; curbing excessive barking, jumping, or chewing; and cognitive dysfunction. A section on unusual topics gives advice on everything from bringing home new pets and people to how to handle a reluctant pooch’s costume on Halloween.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Steve Dale is a syndicated columnist; TV, radio and podcast host; pet advocate and certified animal behavior consultant. Pet owners across the United States seek out his expert advice and commentary on everything from controversial pet legislation to calming an anxious calico.

Dale writes two weekly syndicated columns for Tribune Media Services (TMS). He's also a contributing editor at USA Weekend, a columnist for Cat Fancy and thecatchannell.com, and a ChicagoNow blogger. Recently, Dale published his first series of eBooks, including "Good Dog! Practical Answers to Behavior Questions" and "Good Cat! Practical Answers to Behavior Questions," for the ePublishing division of TMS.

Dale also hosts two nationally syndicated radio shows, "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute"--together these shows air on more than 100 radio stations--and a weekly WGN radio podcast. He's appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "National Geographic Explorer," "Pets: Part of the Family," and several Animal Planet television programs.

Dale serves on the boards of the CATalyst Council (where he is a founding member), Winn Feline Foundation, Tree House Humane Society (Chicago), and the American Humane Association, where he's a National Ambassador. Among his many honors, Dale has received the AVMA Humane Award and the HSUS Pets for Life Award. In 2012, he will be the youngest person ever inducted into the Dog Writers Hall of Fame.

Product Details

• File Size: 577 KB
• Print Length: 165 pages
• Publisher: Tribune Media Services (December 1, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B006H69JZS
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #246,719 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dog Speak January 19, 2012

By Grady Harp HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Steve Dale knows what he is about and his common sense approach to dog 'training' makes for a very enjoyable read as well as a fine handbook to keep around for wither your own pet or when dog-sitting for friends. It is obvious from the way that Dale writes that he thoroughly understands how dogs connect their synapses and how rewiring your dog's brain with tried and true methods of behavior modification, with an emphasis on positive reinforcement instead of punishment.

The chapters in this book ill give the potential reader some expectations about what will be gained form investing i this little bible: Dog on Dog Aggression, Pet on People Aggression, Housetraining 101, To Crate or Not to Crate?, Chew on this, Obedience Training, Jump to It, Play, Excessive Barking, Separation Distress, Noise Anxiety, Compulsive Disorders, Cognitive Dysfunction, and a Grab Bag of Off-Beat Questions. Dale offers his wise advice in the form of interaction with people's questions he has answered from his syndicated radio show. He peppers his text with enough photographs to give that much needed 'Awwww.....' effect and keeps the information tight but light.

This book is essential for every current and would-be dog owner - and it might just be a terrific gift for that lady down the street in your neighborhood whose dogs yap all day.....Subtle but firm suggestions that Steve Dale can calm dogs and a neighbor where the ill-advised dogs dwell. Grady Harp, January 12

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This may very well keep a dog from ending up in the shelter February 1, 2012

By Ace VINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition

And we all know what happens to most of the dogs with behavior problems that end up in shelters.

Being a pet-owner carries with it a substantial responsibility on the part of the pet owner -- if only everyone who was considering adopting a dog from a shelter or a rescue group would read this before AND after acquiring their new pet(s). Knowledge in this area is a GREAT help -- to both the dog AND the owner.

This book is a straight-forward presentation in clear easy to read format, with no confusing jargon -- and it covers the basics (basic commands), to the more egregious problems that would send most uninformed pet owners, dog in hand, to the sheler to relinquish their pet -- separation anxiety, constant barking, food aggression, fear.

With a short but great table of contents up front, plus bibliographies and relevant Web pages to peruse, in the back of this book - I would even suggest that this be a required handout for all those who adopt a pet from a shelter or a rescue (hopefully there will be some grant money or patron donations to cover the cost to the shelter/rescue).

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding how to manage your dog December 11, 2011

By Sue Yellen

Format:Kindle Edition

There are those of us who simply want our dogs to behave. And then there are those of us who want to have a deeper understanding of the 'whys' of dog behavior. While understanding the 'whys' has not yet been pinpointed by science other than the speculation that many behaviors occur in the limbic system, many books are written to help us understand the human-dog connection. Steve Dale's book, "Good Dog!" is one of them.

For those of us who want to understand the 'whats' and 'hows' of dog behavior, this book is a treasure of information whether the focus is on dogs themselves or their relationship with us. Steve Dale covers most topics that typical dog owners struggle with, such as aggression, whether or not to crate your dog, destructive behaviors, and training, among others. You can use his book as either a reference for suggested solutions to specific problems with your dog or you can read it from cover to cover, as I did, because it spoke to me of most of the aspects of raising a happy, healthy, confident dog. My favorite chapters included management of excessive barking and cognitive dysfunction in dogs, which I knew little about. I actually laughed out loud when reading his chapter "A Grab Bag of Offbeat Questions" that addresses issues I would have never even thought people might ask.

While Steve Dale is credentialed as a Certified Animal Behavior Consultant and could easily speak independently from his own training and expertise of over 17 years duration, he opens each chapter with a specific issue, and offers suggestions drawn from well-known canine behavioral specialists in the field after encouraging readers to check with their veterinarian to rule out any medical reasons for behavioral change or behavioral problems. As a clinical (health-focused) psychologist specializing in cognitive-behavioral therapy, I was particularly pleased to hear that he endorses the cautious use of medications to help the quality of life for those animals whose behaviors cannot be managed with training, counter-conditioning, or other behavioral management methods. When all is considered, I'd rather have my dogs on "Doggy-Prozac" rather than face the idea of abandoning, giving up, or euthanizing a dog.

Steve also ascribes to positive reinforcement as his primary means of training, a practice I likewise heartily endorse, along with Victoria Stilwell, Nicholas Dodson, Ian Dunbar, and Andrea Arden. His links and sources are impressive ... top of the field. Finally, you can't beat the price for the quality of information. And no matter how much you think you know about dogs, you can always learn more. I now anxiously await his "Good Cat" book, as I lived in a multiple cat household for over 25 years before my home became a dog home.

More About the Author

Steve Dale is a syndicated columnist; TV, radio and podcast host; pet advocate and certified animal behavior consultant. Pet owners across the United States seek out his expert advice and commentary on everything from controversial pet legislation to calming an anxious calico.

Dale writes two weekly syndicated columns for Tribune Media Services (TMS). He's also a contributing editor at USA Weekend, a columnist for Cat Fancy and thecatchannell.com, and a ChicagoNow blogger. Recently, Dale published his first series of eBooks, including "Good Dog! Practical Answers to Behavior Questions" and "Good Cat! Practical Answers to Behavior Questions," for the ePublishing division of TMS.

Dale also hosts two nationally syndicated radio shows, "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute"--together these shows air on more than 100 radio stations--and a weekly WGN radio podcast. He's appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "National Geographic Explorer," "Pets: Part of the Family," and several Animal Planet television programs.

Dale serves on the boards of the CATalyst Council (where he is a founding member), Winn Feline Foundation, Tree House Humane Society (Chicago), and the American Humane Association, where he's a National Ambassador. Among his many honors, Dale has received the AVMA Humane Award and the HSUS Pets for Life Award. In 2012, he will be the youngest person ever inducted into the Dog Writers Hall of Fame.